Bring out yer wheels...

[Freshmeat]

Let's start a list of viable wheel options. What wheels would you run?

I want some 17" wheels to clear the big brakes. I know 16s clear, but I'd rather go ahead with 17s. Here's what I have in mind, exactly:

I really like the black wheels. I know they're heavy, being steel, but they'll do the trick on my current budget. When finances allow, maybe I'll upgrade to some bling bling aluminums.

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/crr-397_w.jpg
Cragar Soft 8 (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRR%2D3978812&N=4294923107+4294923105+4294906456+4294906458+4294 793320+4294795045+4294795098+115&autoview=sku)

[mrltd]

I'd run what I have....

Or just some stock 16" steelies...

[Freshmeat]

Your Bullits?

[monterey1962]

Let's say I had a ton of cash, I would have custom stock turbine style rims made. Only difference would be that they would be 7" and 8" wide. I would also have the inner areas of the fins a different color. For the CV, they would be a darker gray. For the GM, they would be black or a dark brown.

If I'm supposed to think realistically, I'd probably shoot for a set of Cragar SS's for the CV. I have no clue of what I want to run on the GM.

[mrltd]

Yeah, I like the bullitts. Though I'd like the larger aftermarket ones...17 or 18 by 10" with some 335mm wide tires.


Justin, there are places that widen wheels....

[Freshmeat]

I've considered a set of 16" police steelies and have 'em widened to 9" in the rear. Only problem is doing that while keeping a 4" backspacing isn't gonna happen without it looking shoddy.
Not to mention it's expensive... and I can have the Cragars above on my door step for $220 and another $40 for the centers. That works plenty well enough for me.

[mrltd]

Not a bad deal...

[Freshmeat]

Yeah. Especially considering the police wheels are $225/pc at the local dealer.

Most people won't be able to tell the difference between these and the "real" ones. I'm not trying to impersonate- I just like black wheels and this is the cheapest way to get 'em. I'm okay with that. :D

[grandpaslincoln]

I'm keeping the turbines, possibly milling them a little to accept some center caps.

[mrltd]

225 each? Holy shit! I paid 50 or 60 bucks brand new from the dealer! Like 220 for the set...

[Freshmeat]

That was several years ago, though. I'm gonna go by there tomorrow, just to see. If I can get 'em for moderately cheap with center caps, I'll go that route. How wide of a tire can I run on 7" wheels? I think the PIs are running 225s...

[mrltd]

225/60/16 is stock. 245/45 or so most people run without any issues.


I bought my 16's in 2001 or 2002...

[gadget73]

If you're going to go with standard old black 16" police steelies, why not just raid the local junkyard? Can probably get them fairly cheap there.

[Freshmeat]

The local junkyards charge $25/pc for wheels. If I can get 'em new for $50-60, I'm doing that. None of the yards take ANY care of wheels. Most are rusty and would require blasting and painting.

[Bills02MGM]

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/crr-397_w.jpg

I am really likin these.......:2up:

[nitroracer]

They look nice on the newer merks too, this should give you an idea.

[Freshmeat]

nitro- those are the "D" wheels. The Soft 8s don't have the red/blue pinstripes circling the face- just straight black.

[nitroracer]

I know, but its similar.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I got the "D" wheels. Love em.

I will probably do something to remove the stripe tho...

[DuceAnAHalf]

here is what the Soft 8's look like on a Panther.
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/267739/original/116_1642.JPG
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/267722/original/116_1635.JPG

[Freshmeat]

Are those 15" or 16"?

[Archangel]

Any difference in strength between the "Soft 8" and the "D-type" Cragars?

[DuceAnAHalf]

Fresh, mine are 15" X 10"

Ivan you can check out the load ratings on Summits site. The 15's are rated to 1,500#s each The center of the wheel is made out of 1/8th inch thick steel.

[beep_beep]

dang what kind of backspacing are those? did you have to special order those? what size tire is that? any change to the speedo?

here is what the Soft 8's look like on a Panther.
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/267739/original/116_1642.JPG
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/267722/original/116_1635.JPG

[DuceAnAHalf]

They are 4" backspace, off the shelf, 5" is ideal but those are special order (about $80 each) Tires are 325/50R15 Drag radials. they are 28" tall same as stock so no speedo change necessary.

[boXman]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f48/BoxMan420/100_0894.jpg

[Freshmeat]

Those are killer, Boxman. My ONLY problem with the old school Cragars is that 16s are required for the big brakes up front. If I wasn't obsessed with aiming everything toward the final goal, I'd run 'em, too.

...and I don't know what it is, but they look incredibly bad ass on your wagon.

[85crownHPP]

Ultimately, Id like 17x8 magnum 500's :drool:

[boXman]

Cragar S/S's come in 16 and 17 inch, as well now.

[Lincolnmania]

check out the lincoln aviator wheels on ebay.......17"

[Grand Marquis GT]

Ultimately, Id like 17x8 magnum 500's :drool:

+1...

I am going to probably run the new mustang mach 1 wheels on my vic...

[Freshmeat]

Isn't the Aviator a 5x5.5 with too much backspacing?

Edit- Aviator IS 5x4.5, but the wheels go for $200+/ea on eBay, so... um... no.

[Lincolnmania]

it's explorer based and 5x4.5 gonna have to find the backspacing

[Freshmeat]

I found some 18" aluminum (stock) SportTrac wheels. I want.
http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/5d/3e/e7_1.JPG
18x7.5 5x4.5 I don't know offset.

What the fuck is offset, anyway?

[DuceAnAHalf]

Offset is how far the flange sits from the venterline of the wheel. Those look like IRS Sport Trac wheels, to run those you will need 1.25 or 1.5" spacers.

[Freshmeat]

The guy with the Mustang shop said they'll fit. However, I didn't know there was an IRS SportTrac. I'll look into it.

Edit- they have a 44mm offset. If they're 7.5", centerline would be 3.5" add 44mm, puts it at 5.23" backspacing (did I do that right?). I'll run 1" spacers to be safe. I want these something fierce.

[nitroracer]

The newest sporttracs are IRS, they just redesigned them.

I think the new 500/Freestyle/Montego all run 5x114.3 bolt pattern as well. You can get a set of those for cheap with brand new tires on them. I found some mercury mariner/escape wheels that looked nice too. I just didnt like the idea of running spacers, puts more stress on the wheel bearings.

[boXman]

Dude, get those Soft 8's in 17"....I wanna see how they look. :evil:

[gadget73]

Isn't the Aviator a 5x5.5 with too much backspacing?

Edit- Aviator IS 5x4.5, but the wheels go for $200+/ea on eBay, so... um... no.


I've seen Aviator wheels on a Mark VII and they fit perfectly. They look quite nice too.

[boXman]

Flat wheels = poo

[Freshmeat]

I found some 255/45/17 and 245/45/17 in the garage. Two of each, both have roughly half tread and are in good general condition. So... 17" Soft 8s it is. Gotta remember the budget... and I don't like the idea of spacers either.

Dad's in the process of swapping his wheels to my wagon and mine to his. Only reason his wheels are going on my wagon is so I can at least have a roller until everything plays out. Depending on what Joe (Mustang shop guy) says about the Mustang, I may have the wheels ordered by the end of this week.

Oh- and to add to things, my dad informed me today that there's a tire mounter and bubble balancer at my grandfather's camp- just gotta go pick 'em up! Can you say, "Free installation"?
:D:D:D:D:D

[boXman]

Sweet!

[85crownHPP]

yes. give me dish or give me death!!!!!!!!

[Grand Marquis GT]

The install stuff will be a great asset to Woody's Automotive :D

[phayzer5]

I can always use the excuse to upgrade, so someone buy my wheels :D

[83tc]

how much justin, spacers included?

[Freshmeat]

Ordering new lug nuts with the Cragars... what size do I need?

[DuceAnAHalf]

Ordering new lug nuts with the Cragars... what size do I need?

1/2-20 conical seat i believe they use the 60deg seat, circle track wheels use the 45 deg seats with 5/8" studs

[Freshmeat]

In my Summit shopping cart, to be purchased in the next two to three weeks:
17x8s (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRR%2D3978812&N=0&autoview=sku)
17x9s (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRR%2D3978912&N=0&autoview=sku)
Center Caps (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRR%2D29270%2D1&N=0&autoview=sku)
Lug Nuts (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MCG%2D84530&N=0&autoview=sku)

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/crr-397_w.jpg

[91 LTD]

Id love to get some wheels from these guys www.akhwheels.com/pages/inventory.php?cat=1
So many choices, General Lees, etc.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Id love to get some wheels from these guys www.akhwheels.com/pages/inventory.php?cat=1 (http://www.akhwheels.com/pages/inventory.php?cat=1)
So many choices, General Lees, etc.
http://www.akhwheels.com/pages/images/akh114.jpg
:drool:

[nitroracer]

They have some neat shit

Never seen these before
http://www.akhwheels.com/pages/images/akh132.jpg

[beep_beep]

so will 4 1/2" backspacing wheels work with out spacers? or any rubing?

[Freshmeat]

Yes.

[83tc]

mmm, their prices are swet too, about 90 bucks each for ansen slots, 15x8, i want them, someone give me 400 bucks, lol

[Blaze86Vic]

Set of 4 Western Vector wheels 15"X8.5", with 3.75" BS. American Racing center caps and Cragar lug nuts. The wheels I got for $135 shipped (all 4). Caps and lug nuts were $85 shipped.

http://www.grandmarq.net/blaze/Blaze_Pics/NewWheels1.JPG

[Freshmeat]

Blaze- are those the wheels you're currently running? The look nice!

[Blaze86Vic]

Yes

[85crownHPP]

Jonnie you got those wheels for 30 sum bux each????? jeese - do they have 16 or 17 inch versions???? whered you get them???? If they have larger ones, I might get some like, now!!!!

[Archangel]

Pete, he got them off ebay, gotta be one of the best deals I'v ever seen.

[85crownHPP]

dayum! I was gonna say... . Ill take 2 sets!!!

[Blaze86Vic]

Yep, I camped out for 6 years to get that deal. Sadly there is only one other size wheel of this style I have ever seen. A 16.5", so no go on that. If they had a 16 or 17 of this set I'd be all over it.

[phayzer5]

how much justin, spacers included?


I need to keep the spacers for the new wheels. The wheels (minus tires) cost me $300 so they'll cost you $300 :)