I've located a set of slots locally, they are the "unilug" style with the oval lug holes. Two questions: 1. Don't these require a special lug nut to center them correctly? 2. Is there any disadvantage to the unilug vs. standard lug setup? Thanks in advance
I am not sure what unilug is, but if it is like the cragar with the oval holes, by the time you get 3 or more lugnuts started, the tire automatically centers itself.
Yeah, they take special close tolerance lug nuts that have a round shank instead of a tapered seat. Ford designs it's wheels to ride on the hub, but I've been beating on my unilug Cragars hard for about 12 years without any problems. I've heard some road racers prefer the wheels to ride on the hubs.
Barry; I ran a '77 Mav in the early 80's, and I had a lot of problems with the Cragar SS wheels. My Mav had a big block, and I spun the centers out of them in the rear. I don't trust them for a racing wheel, but they are hard to beat for looks on a street car.
I've seen those lug nuts on Ebay all the time. Way back in my early years I worked for a place that was a jobber for almost all mag wheels in the Norfolk, Va Beach area. I knew all the manufacturer reps for our area. The problem with Cragar SS back then was the center was placed in the rim and then the rim was just stamped in each spoke to hold it in place. Basically like taking a rounded punch and hitting metal. It leaves a dimple. Well, this is how Cragar assembled the wheels. Dimples through the rim, into each spoke. Had many wheels that came back with the centers ripped out. Plus had some that leaked due to stretching the metal in the dimple, causing a crack. I dont know if they ever went to welding the centers in or not. I dont think any single wheel says "the 70s" like the SS. JMO
My Cragar SSTs have aluminum centers with a steel rim and they are welded together. Bet that's scary having your wheels fall apart!
Dennis; got my wheels at Gray's Auto Parts, over by Oceana NAS. I love that area, and Dam Neck was my home for many years. Might retire there. Gray's gave me a new set of Center Lines to replace the Cragars. Great folks to deal with. Later, Earl
Uni-lugs suck. I had nothing but problems with them when I had them back in the '80s. I highly suggest a direct-bolt wheel...
Wow, I thought for sure someone would have gotten this one... Uni lug rims use a shank lug nut combined with an oval shaped chrome washer that sits down into the indent around the lug holes! If you do not use the oval washers with the correct offset for the bolt pattern you are working with, then of course they will suck. Dave
Unilugs in my opinion are a pain in the butt especially since I have a spool in my car. As far as durability, I think they've been welding them for a long while now although I don't know how you could weld aluminum and steel together with any sort of strength. I ran low twelves on mine and they didn't break.
My Mach 1 has uni-lug Cragars on it also. Don't like them that much, going to be swtching over to regular ones.
hot--what is the issue with unilugs and spools? I have both, and have encountered no problems. is there something I should watch out for? I have Cragar SS, older used models, but they are welded. Should I do something special, or watch somthing for wear?
Ray; my car ran 10.90's (C Super Modified). Broke them pretty good. Couldn't kill the Center Lines, though!
I bought my SSTs in the early 90s, must have gone through some design changes since you guys had 'em. The bolt holes have no indent for the washers and the center section is very thick.
