Thinking about new Cragar wheels...

[AlexSport'00]

Looking at Cragar Soft 8's. Any advice on whether I should get the 15x8 or the 15x10? I'm leaning towards the 10, but I just wanted you all's input

 

[OffTrac]

I would get the 15x8 unless you're going with a tire wider than 12.5". With a 10" wide wheel, you're going to have a lot of wheel outside the hub because of the fairly shallow backspacing you'll be able to use. That would put more weight outside the hub than necessary since you'd be able to fit most size tires on an 8" wide wheel.

 

[AlexSport'00]

I was thinking of getting a 12.5" tire, which seemed borderline for an 8" rim. I know it'll be sticking farther out, but I thought that would be a good thing, as it would widen the stance, providing a little bit better control, especially in turns, since these things like to flip anyways. And it would give a more aggressive stance, which would be nice. I feel like it would have the safety benefits of getting spacers/adapters, while not putting quite as much strain on the bearings. However, this is my research stage, so if I'm wrong tell me, cause it is $18 more a rim for the wider ones. haha Thanks for the response, btw!

 

[OffTrac]

A 12.5" tire has more chance of losing bead on the 10" wide wheel than it does on an 8". A 10" would also put more strain on the bearings (engineers step in if I'm wrong) because you have more weight pushed outside of the hub rather than more directly over it, if that makes sense.

The 10" will give you a wider tire while the 8" will give you a taller tire. What I've seen with the wider tires is that it seems to require more trimming in the larger sized tires than similar height tires of less width. As you try to turn the wider tires into the wheel well, that extra width takes more radius to get "into" the wheel well. I hope that makes some sense as well.

 

[01STrunner]

Depending on the lift and size tires you're running the tire sticking farther out could require a little extra trimming as well. If you aren't planning on running more than 12.5" I think youd be alright on the 8" rim.

 

[AlexSport'00]

I am surprised that the wider rim would lose bead easier...I was thinking the opposite effect would happen. But yes, it will put more strain on, however I'm thinking it would put on less strain than using an adapter to space them out (like he said, engineers are welcome to correct, haha).
I would be worried about the trimming needed... I was hoping for that wider stance, but I guess I'll go with the 8". Maybe only an 11 inch or so tire too...but I haven't gotten that far in my plans yet, haha

 

[AlexSport'00]

Actually, if you guys have any recommendations on tires, that'd be great. I live in Florida, so I need ones that are great in the rain, cause we get a lot of it. Rain and highway...that's the important things. Dirt too I guess, cause I don't do any crazy offroading since I'm only 2wd But the occasional dirt trail does tempt me to drive on it.

 

[01STrunner]

We both have km2s right now which are mud tires and wouldn't be the best for what you want. A lotta guys really like Goodyear Duratracs. Theyre an aggressive all terrain. I had Hercules terra tracs before I lifted up and those tires were awesome. They had great grip in rain and I never hydroplanes until I got about 30000 miles on them. They lasted me about 50000 miles and still had good grip in rain and even in the dirt.

 

[colintrax]

I'm loving my Faulken Rocky Mountain. Not real aggressive but it looks good and 01STrunner can attest to how well they work offroad.

As for wider rims being easier to unbead, it's true. Think about how the tire is held to the rim, a skinnier rim is going to be "tighter" on the tire. Go with the 8"wide rim. Don't get spacers unless you need em

 

[AlexSport'00]

Sweet you guys! I'll look into those and see what will be best for me. I definitely don't want to hydroplane, so The Hercules lasting 30000 with no issues is great. I had a Chrysler Crossfire hydroplane and spin across 3 lanes and stop in front of me yesterday, causing me to swerve, so I'm sorta extra worried about those at the moment, which is good, cause if I started spinning like him I woulda flipped.
And this is true about the unbeading, thanks for mentioning that colintrax. I'm definitely gonna go for the 8", most likely no spacer, and that'll save me enough so I can get a 5th rim so that my spare matches.
Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[colintrax]

BTW, I've yet to hydroplane with rock mountains. Helps I run close to stock width though (skinnier tires are less likely to hydroplane)

 

[AlexSport'00]

Also didn't know that skinner tires would be less likely to hydroplane...hadn't thought it through honestly, but it does make sense. Just reinforces the 8" rims.

 

[colintrax]

Haha yep, I'm trying very hard to find a skinny 32" tall tire that isn't a MT. If you get a wide tire, make sure it has lots of siphons. Don't be affraid to get the 12.5" wide tire, just be warned that it's more likely to hydroplane than the 10.5" wide version.

 

[01STrunner]

Colin's right he wheeled the crap outta the 2wd on those tires. Definitely was an impressive show. By the way Hercules is made by Goodyear. Dont know if that makes a difference for you or not.

Colin - you should talk to Will about his 32s. They were retreads but looked really good. I dont think they were that wide either.

 

[AlexSport'00]

I'll see what I can find later on them. Thanks for looking though! I might end up with a 12.5 tire then...but I'll definitely make sure it's good in the rain.
And I do like Goodyear, but I've never really been picky on tire brand before; I just got the one that was a good deal and still had a good rating. This is gonna be a new experience for me.

 

[01STrunner]

My ATs were stop 255s. Not sure what sizes they come in but I got those for 135 mounted balanced and out the door which I thought was a steal.

 

[AlexSport'00]

Sorry, but what do you mean by "stop 225s"? $135 sounds like a great price though.

 

[01STrunner]

sorry STOCK 255s as in 255/70/16. Guess I should check before I hit reply lol

 

[AlexSport'00]

Makes much more sense, haha

 

[colintrax]

Will has bigger rims, I'm trying to avoid getting new rims if I don't have to. I'm not a big brand person when it comes to car tires (now the dirt bike is a WHOLE diffrent game pirelli is all I'll ride on) but I would never buy dunlop. Suck on the bike, sucked on my mom's civic. Not impressed with them.

BTW, trying to avoid retreads. Sometimes I still hit triple digit speeds for the hell of it.