Cragar Soft 8 Center Caps - decisions decisions

[theluke19]

So I'm kinda stuck on what to choose for a center cap for my incoming wheels/tires (which - by the way - are now going to be 33" instead of 31" - more on that later)

Initially, I was going to go with the basic Cragar center cap - which shows the lugs, but then, decided I'd actually like to hide them.

My favorite cap I've found so far is this one:

But I also don't mind the way the 2nd gen Explorer center caps look on black wheels

Should both of these fit on the Cragar soft 8's, with these lugnuts?


Thanks for your input, fellas

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I and many others on here have the center caps from the second picture. The first picture center caps are from a third Gen Explorer.

My neighbor has a set of 3rd gen steel wheels and center caps on his 4th Gen Explorer for winter wheels. I'll see if I can borrow his caenter caps to throw on my Cragar Soft 8's and post some pictures for you to see what they'd look like. I'll post pictures tomorrow, too late, snowy and dark out now.

Here's what mine look like...

 

[theluke19]

I and many others on here have the center caps from the second picture. The first picture center caps are from a third Gen Explorer.

My neighbor has a set of 3rd gen steel wheels and center caps on his 4th Gen Explorer for winter wheels. I'll see if I can borrow his caenter caps to throw on my Cragar Soft 8's and post some pictures for you to see what they'd look like. I'll post pictures tomorrow, too late, snowy and dark out now.

Awesome - I thought yours were the 2nd gen x's but wasn't entirely sure. It looks good, but I'd like for the ford part to stand out a little more. Would be VERY cool if you got those pictures, would definitely help me make my decision.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You could always paint in the FORD letters whatever color you want. I've been thinking about painting the whole cap Satin Black like the cladding and bumpers.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Ok these are the 3rd Gen caps on my wheels, they were too big in diameter. They went onto the lugnuts but I'm geussing they'd probably pop off after the first bump because they didn't fit right. There are a different face then the ones you posted but are the same diameter...

This is what mine look like...

 

[theluke19]

Summit just called me telling me they won't mount the 33x12.5's on the 15x8 cragar soft 8's. the minimum recommended on that tire is 8.5.

Now, they're waiting on a call back from me on what to do with my order.

Do I want to just get the 16" wheel / tire? Do I just want to change to 31x10.5x15 duratrac? Do I get the 15x10 cragars and get some spacers (Would this worK?)?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[OffTrac]

I would ask them to give you $80 off your order so that you can have a shop do as you, the customer, have asked. There is no reason that tire can't be mounted on those wheels. I do understand Summit's point, though.

Personally, I'd just get what you've ordered (that's a good setup) and have a local shop mount them. It cost me $80 to have my 4 tires mounted on the wheels but I don't haggle with this particular shop for familial and "small town" reasons. You may be able to find a shop to do it cheaper.

The next best option, I think, is to get the 15x10s as you know they'll mount them, we know they fit, the price difference should be minimal and you don't have to change the tire choice.

I don't recommend 16" aftermarkets at all. Either get 15s to save money or go 17s and pay the same price for tires as 16s but have a larger wheel.

You won't be happy for long if you get the 31s.

 

[theluke19]

Thanks for the helpful advice -

What is the pro/con of getting 8" wide rim vs 10"?

Would I need spacers on the 10"?

Would the 10" wheel just stick out 1 inch more?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Get the 33's, have Summit take some money off the order and or get free shipping on the order. It's their mistake, not your's.

How much are they charging for the tires again? I bought my DuraTrac's from a GoodYear dealer for only $146 a tire, they price matched and took off an extra $16 off that price for each tire.

You might just wanna buy your tires local like I did.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Depending on the offset/ backspacing of the 10" wheel it'll make the tires stick out too far causing major rubbing issues. You can't run spacers with ten inch wheels, they'll alreadystick out to the max without them.

 

[OffTrac]

What is the pro/con of getting 8" wide rim vs 10"?

An 8" wheel gives you a taller tire and allows for more protection of the wheel. A 10" wheel gives you a wider tire and more contact patch.

Would I need spacers on the 10"?

Not necessary and not recommended. Just make sure the backspacing is 4.25" or less.

Would the 10" wheel just stick out 1 inch more?

That is completely dependent on the backspacing. I agree with Jerry.

I also think you can probably get your best deal on tires locally. Not to mention, they'll usually beat any price and do free alignments/balancing for the life of the tires.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

When I bought my tires www.treadepot.com was where I found them for $159 each.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I just realized the first center cap you posted won't work, it's off of a Expedition. It fit's on the same way as the ST cap does, not onto the lugnut's but onto the wheel itself.

 

[interscope8]

When I bought my tires www.treadepot.com was where I found them for $159 each.

There must have been one heck of a sale cuz I cant find them for anywhere near that prices anywhere

 

[MidnightRebel07]

That was last April, prices on everything have gone up. It sucks.

 

[OffTrac]

With oil prices, so go tires.

 

[theluke19]

Called a local Goodyear dealer here, who agreed to sell me the 33x12 duratracs for 191.51 a piece ($11/tire mount/balance - and he doesn't care that it's against spec) - Summit was selling for the same price (on price match, and mounted balanced free) but charged $38 for heavy shipping.

I'm payin' $6 more, but I'll also get them sooner!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I just checked treadepot and they have them for $171 each, get GoodYear to pricematch.

 

[theluke19]

I just checked treadepot and they have them for $171 each, get GoodYear to pricematch.

Most places will pricematch the 'out the door' price, which would mean shipping and everything. In that case, treadepot comes out to 202 a piece.

Although he didn't check the price online before he said he'd do it :shifty_ey

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Oh, ok. Man I'm glad I got my tires when I did. I still haven't seen anyone beat my $146 a tire deal. With the way prices are going up on everything I don't think anyone ever will.