At a crossroads. Body / Wheels / Trim

[Forcus]

Hey guys, I'm at a crossroads. I have been wanting to upgrade the rolling stock on my GM because I hate the wire wheel covers. I've been holding off because I have a bunch of other projects and it is not an everyday driver. However I blew one tire (tread seperation / dryrot) and there is a persistant shake in the suspension that I suspect is due to the remaining tires and weak shocks. So I wouldn't mind doing a wholesale (spring / shock / wheel / tire) upgrade.

The dilemma is I need to keep the body stock for several years (minimum 2, up to 5). It was my grandpa's car and he gets so excited everytime he sees it. he loves the aluminum trim and to be honest when I have it polished up I like it too. I am not a fan of the big bumpers but they are here to stay as well for the time being. Same with the vinyl top. My purpose is to preserve

Tigger's car is exactly the same as mine (color, etc) except mine's a Grand Marquis. He has 15" Cragar S/S rims on it and I think it looks pretty good. The problem is I have found no one that agrees with me (this will not stop me but I want to make sure I won't be completely laughed at). All the car folk I've talked to say I should go with steelies (cop car look). The problem I have is that cop cars are basic and stripped down and while I like the look, it wouldn't work for the Grand Marquis with a vinyl top and all the shiny stuff. To me the Cragar rims are the perfect compliment because they tie back to musclecar days and make the boxy lines a little more acceptable. The cop wheels don't go with the "upscale" GM exterior (to me).

So basically I am thinking Cragar S/S rims (either 15x8 x 4, 15x8 / 15x10, or 17x8 x 4, 17x8 / 17x10) and mid level performance tires (unfortunately, not much available for the 15's. I think the 15's with a large sidewall look the best. I also plan on 700-1000 lb/in front springs, 200-250 lb/in rear springs, Addco or wagon sway bars, Afco or Bilstein shocks, spacers in the rear, poly bushings (rear lower control arms - rear upper's, a uniball with poly most likely), upgraded pads and shoes, and an alignment.

So, what are your thoughts??? One other thing to throw out, I have seen a few cars with Cragar wire wheels. These might be the best of both worlds if they are / were available in a wider 15" or 16" size.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Don't do wires.

Other than that, I like your gameplan on the suspension

[88Vic]

I think a set of actual wire wheels like the ones that came on Caprice's would look great on that car, it'd go very well with it. As for the shock/spring replacement, i'd say go with PI springs for the extra stiffness.

[P72Ford]

Well, let me be honest. I am not typically a fan of the Cragar S/S; however, they look very nice on tiggies car. (I mean that too). This means they would probably look right at home on your car, as you've presumed.

You might also try some American racing torq thrusts, although you may find you don't like them, or that they don't fit your theme. I personally run AR Ansen Sprint Slot mags. They are really nice (IMO); but are a pain in the ass because you have to polish them. they are also difficult to get.

The cop wheels are not for your car. You are right about that looking goofy.

Most importantly, buy what you want. You drive it, and it has to look nice to you.

For 15" tires, look into the Yokohama AVID S/T. I have these and they're decent. Not really performance, but I have no complaints. I like the look of 15's, with sidewall. I don't like rubber band tires.

Good luck with your decision...

[Enigma]

and don't forget about the AR-23 wheels. And firestone firehawk tires.
As well as the Yoko's, goodrich, goodyear, dunlop, and Kumho also make dem big tires.

[Forcus]

Thanks guys:

88 Vic - do you know more about the actual wire wheels that came on Caprices? I thought I had seen them before but thought they were aftermarket (Cragar). As far as I've seen Cragar does not make them anymore and I have only seen one set used.

P72Ford - thanks for the feedback. I actually had original Ansen's on my 69 Roadrunner I had in high school (98-99). I never knew they were supposed to be shiny - they were grey when I got the car! There is a wagon around here at a shop with 14 or 15 inch Torque Thrusts on it. Didn't like it at first, do now. I'd probably go with the S/S over the Torque Thrusts, but we will see. I do not like the steel / aluminum construction on the S/S. If it was a daily driver I'd be worried about rust. It's not though so I'm not too worried about it.

One other thought. If I have to forego the wider, nice rims, I wouldn't mind blasting and painting the rims I have (probably brown to match) and running some sort of center cap, possibly the 98-02 type that sticks out and attaches to the lugnuts. In that case I'd like to run as big of tire as possible on the stock rim. I've searched on here and found that it appears the 235/60r15 is the biggest tire recommended for the 15x6.5 rim, but a 255/70r15 will fit. The stock tire (215/70r15) is 26.85 inches tall, the 235/60r15 is 26.10 inches tall, and the 255/70r15 is 29.06 inches tall (or 2.21 inches taller). It is my belief that the wheelwell can take it and with PI springs the car will ride a little taller (if necessary for clearance). Has anyone run these before? I am reasonably sure I can run the bushings I have and change the springs and shocks for now if I have to slum it.

[murphmobile2]

I personally wouldn't go with any hubcaps... search around Summit, I'm sure you'll find a nice set for her.

Summit "Star" and "Sport" wheels are nice, especially for the price when compared to others.

[88Vic]

Actually, I don't know much about the Caprice wire wheels. I know that panther7t9 had them on a 76 Merc Meteor, shown here:http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=18265 Now, i'm pretty sure those are actual wire wheels, cuz they don't look like wheel covers to me. Maybe you can ask him about them.

If those are in fact just wheel covers, disregard this post, cuz i'm a moron. :p

[Nathan in MI]

Those were wheel covers.

See 'em sitting on the ground next to the car?

[Blaze86Vic]

If you are going for any real handling performance, go larger than 15"s. Large sidewalls result in pore handling response.

Running a 10" wheel in the back is pushing it close. It is doable but you'll probably have to roll the inner fender lip. You will have to have the exact offset required to fit without rubbing, I would strongly suggest a panhard bar to prevent the suspension from flexing side to side in a hard turn and rubbing the tires on the fender or frame. And unless you are running a huge amount of power increase, it's not really needed either.

Yeah, if you're suspension is high and your rear end never gets compressed enough to put the wheels in the fender, then none of that matters. But a wheel that sticks out of the fender isn't the best look IMO.

A 9" wheel will fit better and not have any problem with rubbing anywhere (as long as it's the correct offset). 8" in the front should be good as well (again with the correct offset).

[P72Ford]

The large (taller) sidewalls "roll" under in hard cornering?

[gadget73]

The large (taller) sidewalls "roll" under in hard cornering?

They're more inclined to do so yes.

Also, if you're planning to do serious upgrades and other work to the car, possibly including a big brake swap, you will need larger than a 15" wheel. Just to keep it in mind. My car handled hugely better with the 16" wheels vs the 15s. H rated tires in a 16 aren't hard to get either, and they aren't stupidly priced.

[Blaze86Vic]

16" is a good balance of ride and handling. 17 is a little more for handling.