Garage Gazette

General Category => GENERAL DISCUSSION TO INCLUDE OFF TOPIC => Topic started by: highland512 on May 07, 2019, 04:32:56 PM

Title: 16.5 tires
Post by: highland512 on May 07, 2019, 04:32:56 PM

I still have my old truck from high school and enjoy driving it on the week ends. I have always loved the way it looked, but the 16.5 wheels are starting to be an issue. 10 years ago finding a 33x12.50r16.5 wasn't a big deal, today I am having a hard time finding anything but super swampers and I'm not paying $250 a tire to ride on bias ply rocks.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: goodfellow on May 07, 2019, 05:49:51 PM

That size is pretty much extinct around here. Heck, most of the tire sales jockeys only know P-Metric sizes anyway. They never heard of vintage letter size vehicle and standard inch-based truck sizes. I had one guy tell me that there was no such size as a 30x9.50r15 BFG All-Terrain. He actually argued with me about it --

Can you switch over to 16" rims --or is it an odd bolt pattern?

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: Elroy on May 07, 2019, 05:59:49 PM

Coker has several configurations available in the old 16-1/2" diameter

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styles/military-and-truck.html?tire_rim_diameter=4429

Specialty Tire has several 16.5 listed

https://www.stausaonline.com/tires/sta-super-transport/

Like Ray said, you got an odd ball there. A wheel change might be more economical

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: highland512 on May 07, 2019, 08:50:52 PM

8x6.5 is the bolt pattern I think. Not to hard to find. The military hummer tires are 16.5 and prevalent but that’s a big-ol tire.

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: slip knot on May 07, 2019, 09:26:20 PM

maybe its time for a wheel upgrade. ;D

16s aren't as popular either maybe time to step up to 18s. lots of tire options in 18s. 

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: RustFarmer on May 08, 2019, 06:45:13 AM

Do you want wide or narrow tires?  You mentioned 33 x 12.5.  That width tire would fit an 8 to 10 inch wide wheel.  OEM wheels with the 8 on 6.5 pattern are mostly 6 and 7 inches wide.  Plenty of after market wheels in the 8 to 10 inch width.

OEM Chevy wheels have a smaller center hole and will not fit over Ford and Dodge hubs.

I'm running LT235 85R16 on my 88 F350.  The OEM wheels in 88 were 16x6.  I have later OEM Ford Alcoa 16x7 wheels.

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: highland512 on May 08, 2019, 08:22:22 AM

The truck originally had the Alcoa 16x7 wheels, my dad adopted the wheels for his trailer.....I am thinking a wheel change will have to happen if nothing turns up, looking at the used market last night I'm not alone. Lots of used 8x6.5-10x16.5 wheels on the market cheep.

Title: Re: 16.5 tires
Post by: highland512 on May 08, 2019, 03:15:35 PM

https://www.intercotire.com/tire/141 (https://www.intercotire.com/tire/141)

The only 33x12.50r16.5 AT tire on the market. They must know it to, $300 per tire...........................