first-stingray

I was ordering the CragarSS today and when the dealer was on the phone ordering the rep said they would not clear the caliper. The dealer actually let me take a 15x8 rim to the paint shop where my vette is sitting and sure enough the hit the caliper. So I've searching the archives and it sounds like the TTII's will fit with just 3.75" backspacing. The Cragar had 4".

Can someone straighten me out before I order this afternoon?

Wrencher

It's gotta be a different design in the shoulder area that clears the caliper. Maybe because one is steel and the other alloy?

Hans

1979toy

The TTII's are cut out for caliper clearance while the Crager's are not. If you measure the backspacing at the area where the caliper would be it will be about 5 inches while the Cragar measures 4 inches or so.
Just think of it as a 5 inch backspace wheel with a built in 1 inch spacer.

first-stingray

Thanks for the quick replies - It looks like I'll go with the TTII's and hopefully have them in time for this weekend when the paint is DONE!
:cheers:

OHSIXX

If you really want the Cragars as I did you could get some spacers made out of billet aluminum. When I was in your shoes some people were having a hard time getting four round TTs.

first-stingray

I'm not too interested in going through replacing studs or using spacers.

But, I have to say to OHSIXX - the pic of your vette with the Cragars are the reason I wanted them. I looks awesome!

Has there been a lot of problems with out-of-round TTII rims???

COMMANDER370

Cragar sells a kit p/n 611114 that has the 1/2" spacers you need.i had mine machined here at work and it only cost me a 12 pack. :cheers:
they look great on my 80.

OHSIXX

The out of round problem was going around about a year ago. I guess the high production numbers lowered the quality a little. There were a couple of guys here complaining, but it is probably a non issue now.

I have had no problems with the spacers. It seems that most people who whine about spacers have never used them.

Just make sure you get the wheels you really want. :)

frank0075

Been running the spacers with my Cragar mags for 20 years, no problems!!

69ttop502

Why don't you just have the Crager's machined to clear the calipers. I know 2 people that have done this with the new Tourque Thrust D's.

Red 69

Mr Gasket makes the wheel spacers you need to mount the Crager S/S wheels on your car. This link should take you to Jeg's catalog http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...74&prmenbr=361
I am also partial to the Cragers but have always heard they caused premature wear on the bearings. I am not sure if there is any truth to the claim. Good luck whichever you choose.

[Modified by Red 69, 2:09 AM 5/12/2004]


[Modified by Red 69, 2:21 AM 5/12/2004]

Tele_Man

I've also been running Cragar SS mags with spacers. No problems, and the car looks awesome!

Garys '68

Do you use the existing wheel studs, or do they have to be replaced with longer ones with the spacers and Cragers?
Gary

Tele_Man

The existing wheel studs work. I'm using the chrome lug nuts that come with the Cragar mags. Those lugs nuts have an extra long neck which can reach through the aluminum spacers and connect to the studs.

Garys '68

Chrome cragers on my 68 convertble, chrome bumpers, chrome sidepipes. I'm loving the idea. Who has a good price on the cragers?
Should I just order through Jegs or Summit? Or is there a discout place on the net?
Gary

The Dude

If you look at the spokes on the Cragars, you'll see they're "straight." That is, it's a straight shot from the center to the outer part of the rim.

TTIIs, on the other hand, have a similar style of spokes, but they're "bowed."

Make sense?

OHSIXX

The lug nuts that came with my wheels begin to rust after a year or so. I replaced them with McGards (about $85) which are rust resistant. :)

Tele_Man

Roger that. I had to take a little surface rust of the lugs nuts a few weeks ago. It was only a minor pain in the ***. I had to take the wheels off anyway in order to put on the new three-bar spinners. So, I just brushed a little naval jelly on the nuts and washed of the rust in a few minutes. By the way, those spinners look fantastic on my car!

OHSIXX

How about a pic? :)

Tele_Man

Well, I'm embarrassed to admit that I do not yet own a digital camera. But one of these days I'm going to finish a roll of film in my old 35mm a digitize a few photos of my car. It's a black '69 with chrome gills and cool mag wheels just like yours. I'd like you guys to see my pride and joy.