Cragar Soft 8 Question - sizes

Pote · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:43 am

Is there a black Cragar soft 8 rim that has the same specs as our KJ's stock rims? I think there is not, so what would the closest next match be if I'm looking for 16" rims? What I know (and thats not much. LOL) is:

16x7 rim
5 x 5.5 bolt pattern (I think)
5.5" of backspacing

the closest I've seen is with 4" of backspacing and I know that pushing out the rims another 1.5" can give me grief with rubbing. what other potential problems exist with this backspacing? also, are the cragars only beneficial if I go to a lift and get into a different size tire? or do any of you have soft 8's on your stock suspension KJ?? would like to see some pics too if you are unlifted with Cragars onboard.

I guess the bottom line is, is there a Cragar that will work with my existing newer tires of 245/70/16 without major rub issues or other? thanks in advance guys...I'm getting tired of looking at/cleaning my shiney spoke rims that came on the rig. don't hate em, but I love the black cragar-rim look. Back spacing is probably working against me tho right?

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:53 am

The lug pattern is 5x4.5.

Without a lift / pinch weld pounding you will rub.

Have you thought about painting the stock rims black? Others on the forum have done so and they look good. My wife will probably be painting hers in a few weeks.

Pote · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:56 am

ihatemybike wrote:

The lug pattern is 5x4.5.

Without a lift / pinch weld pounding you will rub.

Have you thought about painting the stock rims black? Others on the forum have done so and they look good. My wife will probably be painting hers in a few weeks.

thanks for the info...yes..I have considered the painting option...not wild about it, but at least its an alternative. thanks again.

scull20 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:52 am

From what I've read, without a lift the 16x8 Cragar Soft 8's are going to give you more of a problem than the 16x7's will. As for me I am running on a 4 year old stock suspension with 60k miles, I have Moab's that are 16x8 with 5in BS. I am experiencing some rubbing on the pinch weld and fog door but nothing horrible. If you are looking for Soft 8's with the least amount of rubbing I'd go with the 16x7 version of them. Hope it helps!

-Ryan

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:03 pm

backspacing is a big problem when you get to ones like Moabs etc. width is a problem but the backspacing sits the tire out further in the wheelwell causing the rubbing esp. when unlifted.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:13 pm

A 16x7 rim with 4" of BS will stick out the same amount as a 16x8 rim with 5" of BS,you will rub more places though with the 16x8 rim(sway bar and UCA) than the 16x7.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:24 am

The '02 Liberty Limited I recently bought has BFG All-Terrain KO LT255/70 R16's on the stock rims. The tires are in excellent (like new) condition. Although there is some rubbing on full crank turn in either direction. I like the looks of the black Cragar Soft 8's. Would the correct rim size be 16x7 5.45 rims in my case? And would I also be correct that with these rims I would have to knock down the pinch welds (that haven't been done)? - Thanks.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:51 pm

CrossBones wrote:

The '02 Liberty Limited I recently bought has BFG All-Terrain KO LT255/70 R16's on the stock rims. The tires are in excellent (like new) condition. Although there is some rubbing on full crank turn in either direction. I like the looks of the black Cragar Soft 8's. Would the correct rim size be 16x7 5.45 rims in my case? And would I also be correct that with these rims I would have to knock down the pinch welds (that haven't been done)? - Thanks.

16x7 rims with 4" of BS,5 on 4.5 bolt pattern,and yes you will need to pound down the pinchweld.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:02 pm

Figured as much (regarding the pinch welds). Thanks!

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:26 pm

The question I still ask is why the change?
The OE wheel is lighter and fits better

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:19 pm

jason thompson wrote:

The question I still ask is why the change?
The OE wheel is lighter and fits better

But they are not nearly as strong as a good set of steel rims.

I've bent the beads of 2 of my steel rims,just a few swings of a hammer and they were straight again.The OEM alloy rims would not the abuse I put my steel rims through,and the 4.5" of BS my steel rims have actually got rid of alot of rubbing issues I had,that and the fact I went from a 8" rim to a 7" rim.I'll take the hit from weighing about 10lbs more each over the alloy rims.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:54 pm

I run the 15x8 wheels with 3.75 bs and no rub, I used to rub on the pinch weld but I bashed some more and now I am good. No rub on anything else. Maybe catch a fender when stuffing it at full turn, but only a tiny bit.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:16 pm

I'm thinking I will lift my KJ over the winter but I was wondering...

If I were to leave the suspension stock, could I run 15x8 rockcrawler (or soft 8's)? Would there be any negative issues? Would I need spacer's? And if I am able run that wheel size, would anyone have a best guess as to what tire size I would be able run with? What about M/T's? Would that be possible?

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:33 pm

no you wont have any negitive issues, and you wont need wheel spacers depending on the BS you get. and as for a tire to fit that check the very first post in this section it lists a lot of tires and what will fit with how much lift or no lift

Cragar Soft 8 Question - sizes

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