Are these still available new? Some sites list them and some don't. Cragar's site has been down for a while and I want the straight poop. It seems like the the newer ones are 15x4.5 and look a little different than the older 15x4. School me please.
I had one original NOS 15x4.5 and found new ones on Egay, bought one buy it now for $145.00 can't tell the difference? Cragar said they might have some in 6-8 weeks ? Didn't want to wait that long.
I've got a pair of the real early narrow ones and I was under the impression that Cragar didn't make them anymore, or at least that the ones they did make were different. I'd sell mine if someone needed them, but they're not perfect.
I just got these yesterday..... To match my 4" wide fronts.... I can tell you that Cragar hasn't made the 4" wide SS's in years. The ones you see here are dated 1976, made in Mexico and are stamped "For drag Racing Purposes Only". The skinnyest ones you can get today are 4-1/2" wide. Unless you find an old set like I did. I've seen prices on the 4 inchers go as high as $450.00 a pair.
From what I've found Cragar will pretty well make what you want. They have for me....but I've not asked for 15x4s. They do list some 15x4 in some of the newer S/S aluminum designs...but the site is down at the moment.
I've talked with Robert Wood at Cragar/Carlisle about the wheels I posted and he said that the skinnyest SS currently available is the 4-1/2".
I tried to order a pair a couple of years ago and was told the same thing. He said something about the centers being thicker than they were years ago and that was the reason they couldnt do 15 x 4's. That night I found a near perfect set on ebay with a BIN of $200............with my luck and the fact that I was looking for Ford pattern wheels I considered it a minor miracle. I hit the BIN ****on so fast I nearly broke my mouse.
Checked Jegs. The Cragar #260-61C5451222 is avail. in 15 x 4 1/2 for a Ford/Dodge bolt pattern for $172.99 each. That seems a bit high since I just gave $106 a piece for a new set of 61G S/S's in 15 x 7. Wanna play you gotta pay I guess.
I'd be interested to find out too. I've only heard of the 4" wides, always thought it odd that I never saw this iconic rim in a 3.5" width.
Damn Mutt that's a smokin' deal! I never asked the guy at Cragar why I just thought it was because of a safety thing. The 4 inchers are stamped for drag racing only. I got mine at Carlisle. I thought the guy that had them was selling 'em. Turns out he wasn't selling 'em because he just bought 'em for the tires. They had white lettered bias-ply 5.60-15 Goodyears on them. I told him that I didn't want the tires, only the wheels. He said he paid alot of money for them and that he was probably the "only idiot" to pay that much. I asked him what he would take for the wheels and he said that if I'd be willing to pay $250.00 he'd sell 'em. I said, do you want the money now!!! He laughed and said that he would go home that evening and dismount the tires and bring the wheels back in the morning. I love swap meets!
The 15 x 4 Cragar S/S wheels have not been made in 25-30 years. They were orginally all direct mount with mag style shank lug nut. The later wheels went to the unilug style with the oval washer to change the bolt pattern. There have been changes in the shape and curve of the spokes over the years and the new Cragar wheels can also be ordered with the direct bolt pattern, but use taper seat style lug nuts. I checked on having an early set rechromed and was quoted $300 each, to do it right they want to remove the center from the rim, to do a good polish job, reweld them and then rechrome them. The 15 x 4.5" wheels that are available today, when set next to a set of old original ones, you can see the differences. You need to check the old wheels for runout, as a lot of the narrow wheels are bent either from hard landing on drag cars or potholes & curbs on the street. John
John, Reference my photo in post #5. These wheels arrived on my doorstep 2 days ago. Dedicated 4-3/4" bolt pattern with "shank" lug nuts.
craGAR MADE 31/2 IN THE 70S. I HAD 2 PAIR AND LET ONE GO WITH A CAR AND HAD A PAIR STOLEN. DIDNT KNOW THEY WERE MISSING WHEN I LET THOSE OTHER ONES GO WITH A CAR.
Found these NOS vintage caps made in USA without the R registered trade mark, Got them on some brand new 15x4 from summit
not to jump this post. has anyone taken a deep offset and narrowed then down (cutting a few inches out of the back). maybe take a 10" and narrow to a 8" to get the deep look but can still fit under a average rear fender. I thought they were steel hoops and it might be possible.
Not sure if you still can, but back about 20 years ago, you could special order Cragar SS's with custom back-spacing in 1/2" incremements
Yes you can. That's why I was talking to Carlisle/Cragar. The extra cost is very minimal. I think it was like $10. or $20.00. It turned out that I did not need a custom backspace.
Are they doing the same deal on the repopped Keystone Kl***ics? I need a set for my Plymouth, and the rears are a problem.
I don't know. Is Carlisle/Cragar making the Keystone wheels? If they are then give them a call... 800-398-1367. Dial extension 4545, talk to Robert Wood and tell him Greg from NY sent you.
Yup, at first they were calling them the Cragar "Pro-Street", which went over like a lead balloon. Now they are calling them Cragar "Keystone Kl***ics". Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but its better than Cragar Pro-Street anyway... I will give them a call. The leafs have been moved in, a 15x8 with 4.25 bs would be ideal.
waddayacare, thanks for the info. I am leaning towards a set of Real Rodders for my 51 chevy (they have what is called a Trick 8 which is basically a 10 minus 2" of rear offset). they are big money.. going with a 60's hotrod vibe, so cragers would work and at a lots lower price
Does anybody know of a good place to get a set of Cragar SS wheels rebarreled? I have a set of 7's & was thinking of running some 4.5" on a project.
I know Carlisle/Cragar won't do it. I inquired about rechroming and basically once a wheel is sold and out of their hands, it's not coming back.
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