Hello, I would like to get a set of Cragar SS wheels for my 76 Cutlass Supreme. I want a 15 inch wheel and was wondering if I something like a 295/60 would fit. I know that it is a large tire but I am just wondering what the limits with stock suspension are. I was thinking of going with 235/60 in the front and a 275/60 in the rear. Would that fit nicely. Also what back spacing should I get along with the bolt pattern. I think it is 4.75x5 but I have no clue.

Thanks In advance

 

you'd need at least an 8" wheel width to fit a 275 series tire and though others will likely offer varied opinions, I think you'd find a 235 / 275 combo visually mismatched in terms of stance. - typical 8" BS is 4.5"

On the assumption the '76 has similar wheel well room as the earlier a-bodies (i.e. at least 70-72), you could probably run 15x8's all around with 245-60-R15s or maybe stagger 255 series on the back (which may look a little more balanced to you)

biggest problem with staggering is no rotational ability of the tires (not to mention blowing a tire out in the road and possibly not having the correct size spare for it)...

on my '72 ragtop, I run 245's all around on 15x8's but have 1" spacers in the rear to create a bit of stagger in the visual stance, but still being able to carry a proper size spare for any wheel and rotate them for even wear).

 

I see what you're saying, I didn't even think about a spare. I think I'll go with like a 255/60 or maybe even a 265/60. Thanks for the help

 

"biggest problem with staggering is no rotational ability of the tires" could you please explain this. I don't understand I assume you mean stability but I'm still lost

 

if they are staggered sizes you cant rotate the position of your tires, front to rear,rear to front for radials,should be done to insure longer tire life. i do my truck at 20k with an alignment check. get 65000 miles from my tires.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the help

 

you also have to be careful how wide you go in front so that you have proper turning radius clearance - too wide a tire may cause rubbing inside your wheel well or against the fender opening.

typically 245 on an 8" wide wheel (again - 4.5" BS) is probably as large and deep as you'd want to go up front on a stock suspension

 

I have 255/60/15 in the rear on 8" wheel ( on 76' Cutlass). Cant remember the BS right away ( its something like ~3.8" at both ends, but so that offset is as close to zero as possible from the manufacturer), but it could fit bigger tire even on the BS im running.
When i bought my wheels long ago, i measured them from both extremes of suspension travel, and it had plenty of space on wheel well fully dispersed on both sides.

From front i havent even bothered to check what it could run, but 255/50/15 will fit there. I run 215/70/15 at front. Simple reason is, that their ( front to rear) height is at .20" of each other, so my spare tire, which is 215/70/15, could fit both ends nicely. And you get the nice look . Tho 255 aint _that_ wide. And yes, bolt pattern is 5x4.75".

About Cragars, aint they Unilugs? Once upon a time i had Unilug wheels, my first and last. After every longer ride some of the nuts needed re-tightening. Some guys run them and like them, some guys run them and hate them. Thats just my personal experience with them.

 

So I daily drive this car. What is a nice year round tire that I can run.

 

Anything else than Cooper Cobra

 

So out of curiosity would a 295/50 fit without rubbing anything

 

I’ll likely go with a 245 in the front and a 275 in the rear. I think I found a set that is the same height so that if i do have a flat or need to use a spare it won’t be the end of the world

 

Measure if in doubt. Its easy. You can use your current wheels, known BS, known tire size, and go from there. By measuring.

 

Get the *** end up high enough in the air and you can run whatever size you want!

VROOOM!!!!!!!!