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Universal Wheels / Rims - Love 'em or Leave 'em?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gregski
  • Start date Start date Jan 20, 2011
G

gregski

Active Member
Mar 13, 2010
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Sacramento, California
Jan 20, 2011
#1
  • Jan 20, 2011
  • #1
So while looking for some 5 lug wheels / rims (what ever you wanna call 'em) for my 68 coupe on Craigslist I came across some that were "universal". Judging from the ads they claim to fit Fords, Chevy's, Mopar, etc... the holes seem oblong so I wonder if that would cause wobble or not a perfect fit when mounted. Should I get them, or should i stay away from them?
 

blown65

Founding Member
Jul 7, 1999
1,938
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39
Queen Creek Arizona
Jan 20, 2011
#2
  • Jan 20, 2011
  • #2
If your talking about the Greg Weld style or I believe the new brand name for them is Racelite with the offset washers, I had those on my car for a while and hated them.

For a street car they would probably be fine, but for a car putting alot of forces at the drag strip they suck. The washers in the rear would bind and carve into the wheel and I actually had two lugnuts get messed up and bind on the studs. Took an hour to remove a wheel because of that fun.

Ended up with my BilletSpecialties wheels instead and 1000000X happier. lol
 

afast93stang

Founding Member
Jan 6, 2002
1,407
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39
North Texas
Jan 20, 2011
#3
  • Jan 20, 2011
  • #3
Sounds like its a set of Cragars that have the Uni-Lug setup - like what came on my 67 coupe when I bought it...

There is nothing wrong with them, just be sure to use the washer on each lug nut and hand tighten them before adding torque so the rim will be lined up correctly.
 

EP429

Member
Jun 30, 2007
125
5
18
Central Texas
Jan 20, 2011
#4
  • Jan 20, 2011
  • #4
Have them, hate them, would love to replace them
 
G

gregski

Active Member
Mar 13, 2010
577
0
28
Sacramento, California
Jan 20, 2011
#5
  • Jan 20, 2011
  • #5
guy's you're awesome thank you for the prompt responses, that's what I was looking for some real feedback from those who tried them, I will pass on these, I am not a big wheels guy as in flashy, but I know nice wheels enhance the car, so I need to wait till something better comes along, but I don't want to drop $1K on rims if you know what I mean
 

woodsnake

15 Year Member
Jan 16, 2007
1,352
15
69
Hicksville, NY
Jan 21, 2011
#6
  • Jan 21, 2011
  • #6
I have them/have used them in the past, and I don't love them either. The right bolt pattern for the car is a much better bet. I had a pair on the back of my 69 Cougar when I was a kid and went out hotrodding one day. I lost two wheel studs and a lug nut that day. At least two people should have ended up upside down in a ditch....(Me and my passenger!) Or worse....
 

horseballz

10 Year Member
Sep 30, 2009
824
19
49
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 21, 2011
#7
  • Jan 21, 2011
  • #7
Gregski,
A pic would be nice. The universal style that has washers that actually fit into machined recesses in the wheel, like the old Ansen Wheels, seems pretty good to me. I must say though that the style/system for my new Cragar SS:
Cragar 61715 - Cragar 08/61 S/S Super Sport Chrome Wheels - Overview - SummitRacing.com
(not sure if the older ones are the same) does not give me confidence. They have 5 slots to accommodate what appears to be 4.5" to 5.0" lug circles and offset washers but the washers do not have a recess to fit into on the wheels. They are only located/centered to the hub by the shank of the nuts and the washers only kind of rest against 2 little bumps on the wheel center for each. It just seems to me that the steel nut shanks will eventually wear/hog out the slots after not many times of removal/replacement. I'm kinda disappointed. Its sort of odd that the Keystone style (also made/sold by Cragar):
Cragar 325799 - Cragar Chrome Keystone Klassic Wheels - Overview - SummitRacing.com
appear to actually have the washer recesses. All that being said, I feel that the recessed washer style is superior, but if it's the non recessed style, in good shape (holes/slots not hogged/worn), a good price and the size/look/style you want/like (I suggest 15X7), I'd say go for it. Again, pics would be nice.
Just My .02,
Gene
 

blown65

Founding Member
Jul 7, 1999
1,938
4
39
Queen Creek Arizona
Jan 21, 2011
#8
  • Jan 21, 2011
  • #8
That second picture with the recessed area for the washers is the same type of thinking the Greg Welds were and they suck. lol

Its one thing if you love the wheels, but if not I'd get the right wheels for the bolt pattern and stay away from the universal type deals.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Jan 21, 2011
#9
  • Jan 21, 2011
  • #9
i also have a set of uni lug wheels on my olds, they are ok, but i am thinking about replacing them as well.
 
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