4X4 Tires to fit 16.5 rim are quite slim...

[57NAPCO]

Not into Hummer tread. Just not much out there in the skinny off road type tire. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

[Blue Rat]

Most 16.5 tires are industrial tires or heavy duty type tires.

[slotard]

My impression is that the original purpose of xx.5" wheels is that only heavy duty tire are available for them, so you don't end up with light duty tires on a heavy duty truck.

[Redcap]

Groundhawgs still come in a 16.5, I think.

[71blksuper4x4]

I bought a set of sta super traxions from Nebraskatire.com. They are the 16.5 x 9.50. Think they have narrower sizing as well.

[57NAPCO]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

I bought a set of sta super traxions from Nebraskatire.com. They are the 16.5 x 9.50. Think they have narrower sizing as well.

Thanks, they have some great tires. Are your 9.50's very wide ? By chance do you have any pictures of them mounted? On what width rim.
Thanks again

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

Thanks, they have some great tires. Are your 9.50's very wide ? By chance do you have any pictures of them mounted? On what width rim.
Thanks again

I don't have mine mounted yet. Just bought them if they go discontinued before I was ready for them.

[71blksuper4x4]

Here is a link of the look on a stock k20 with the same tires. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=255766

[andrewmp6]

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=8&g=1

[57NAPCO]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=8&g=1

Thanks, great tires there also.

[1985-GMC]

Sent you a PM

[andrewmp6]

Look around on interco site they are one of the few that still makes tires for the 16.5 rims.

[ChevyFreak60]

I just got a new set of BFG All Terrain 35/12.50/16.50 for my k20

[newstedcomeback]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

I just got a new set of BFG All Terrain 35/12.50/16.50 for my k20

Im looking into getting the same tires. where did you get them from? how much did they cost?
Thanks

[ChevyFreak60]

Originally Posted by newstedcomeback

Im looking into getting the same tires. where did you get them from? how much did they cost?
Thanks

I got them at Big O tire and spent 1100 with road hazard warranty.

[special-K]

16.5 rim size is the bi-product of the "Wide Oval" era when tire profiles went from tall & skinny to low & wide. 16" remained as the tall skinny profile on trucks. When wider tires requiring wider rims started going on 8-lug 4wds, they were offered in 16.5. The first tires were about wider, then came the taller tires (33"+). 16s remained the standard truck size tire and no wider wheels were made in 16"... because no wider tires were made. In the late-80s wider/taller 16" wheels & tires began production and for over 25 years they have been supposedly phasing out 16.5s. The best off road tires are still available in 16.5, but the closest thing to tall/skinny would be 37/12.50-16.5s on 8.25 wheels. Anything shorter will be wider in proportion. Anything narrower than 12.50 will be way shorter,too... like a 9.50. They eliminated sizes between 9.50 & 12.50

[57NAPCO]

Originally Posted by special-K

16.5 rim size is the bi-product of the "Wide Oval" era when tire profiles went from tall & skinny to low & wide. 16" remained as the tall skinny profile on trucks. When wider tires requiring wider rims started going on 8-lug 4wds, they were offered in 16.5. The first tires were about wider, then came the taller tires (33"+). 16s remained the standard truck size tire and no wider wheels were made in 16"... because no wider tires were made. In the late-80s wider/taller 16" wheels & tires began production and for over 25 years they have been supposedly phasing out 16.5s. The best off road tires are still available in 16.5, but the closest thing to tall/skinny would be 37/12.50-16.5s on 8.25 wheels. Anything shorter will be wider in proportion. Anything narrower than 12.50 will be way shorter,too... like a 9.50. They eliminated sizes between 9.50 & 12.50

Thanks for that info! wonder if those will fit under stock suspension on a 68 3/4 ton. I just bought a 82 3/4 ton (22,000 miles,454) for parts with the stock white 16.5 rim on it. Again, I'm thinking about having them power coated white and mounting the 37's on those ? I'm possibly looking at a 2inch all spring lift and I'm guessing they will fit fine with 2 more inches ? So many questions, sorry but this tire/rim set up is new to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-GOODYEAR-W...-/281561209844

Plus 150 bucks shipping to Tx.

[Cash3481]

Here is a set of 16.5x12.5x35s I found in a local pawn shop. I tried to buy them for the wheels but they wouldnt sell them to me unless I bought the tires too. If anyone is interested in the tires let me know and I'll offset the cost to get the wheels.

[71blksuper4x4]

Been watching craigslist for a set like these. we're they dry cracked? Trevor

[Cash3481]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Been watching craigslist for a set like these. we're they dry cracked? Trevor

I pm'd you!

[Cash3481]

Originally Posted by special-K

16.5 rim size is the bi-product of the "Wide Oval" era when tire profiles went from tall & skinny to low & wide. 16" remained as the tall skinny profile on trucks. When wider tires requiring wider rims started going on 8-lug 4wds, they were offered in 16.5. The first tires were about wider, then came the taller tires (33"+). 16s remained the standard truck size tire and no wider wheels were made in 16"... because no wider tires were made. In the late-80s wider/taller 16" wheels & tires began production and for over 25 years they have been supposedly phasing out 16.5s. The best off road tires are still available in 16.5, but the closest thing to tall/skinny would be 37/12.50-16.5s on 8.25 wheels. Anything shorter will be wider in proportion. Anything narrower than 12.50 will be way shorter,too... like a 9.50. They eliminated sizes between 9.50 & 12.50

Tim,
I really wish I lived closer to you man! I so appreciate your views, opinions and even your pointed humor on most occasions. Thanks for all your inputs here on the board. I for one learn from your post frequently. You have free beer here anytime.
Mike

[special-K]

I had the 37/12.50-16.5 Super Swamper SSRs mounted on white powder coated 8.25s ready to bolt on my white '72 K2500 as soon as I installed the Ez-ride 6" springs. I was waiting to do engine work first, before the truck sat higher. A couple years went by and I finally talked myself out of it. I've had big 4wds all my life and have been trying to restrain myself enough to stay just over stock in height and tire size. The truck would have been awesome, just a huge stockish truck. I also have a Dana60 front axle, TH400/NP205, and 3500 badges. I sold all that stuff in August to go to 4". Right now I have 255/85-16s on Accurides which would look great with 2-3" lift. but, I also have a set of 35/12.50 BFG A/Ts on 9.75 aluminum slots I want to alternate. they'll ride close and I'll have to be careful. The second set is the "for looks" set. The 255s came off my '92 and will go on the '95 K2500 suburban I bought. The pplan is to buy 16 x 8 steelies from wheel Vintiques and mount 285/75 mud tires. I feel these will be the next notch down from my original lift & tire size/profile. I'm not sure the 37s would fit real well with the 6" lift. It would be borderline using the 8.25" wheels and might have needed a zero-rate (1") added. I did a k/20 with 285s mounted on Accurides with 3" lift and it was perfect!

[57NAPCO]

Thanks again for your info, very helpful. I better wait a bit before jumping into 37's with only 2inch lift.

Originally Posted by special-K

I had the 37/12.50-16.5 Super Swamper SSRs mounted on white powder coated 8.25s ready to bolt on my white '72 K2500 as soon as I installed the Ez-ride 6" springs. I was waiting to do engine work first, before the truck sat higher. A couple years went by and I finally talked myself out of it. I've had big 4wds all my life and have been trying to restrain myself enough to stay just over stock in height and tire size. The truck would have been awesome, just a huge stockish truck. I also have a Dana60 front axle, TH400/NP205, and 3500 badges. I sold all that stuff in August to go to 4". Right now I have 255/85-16s on Accurides which would look great with 2-3" lift. but, I also have a set of 35/12.50 BFG A/Ts on 9.75 aluminum slots I want to alternate. they'll ride close and I'll have to be careful. The second set is the "for looks" set. The 255s came off my '92 and will go on the '95 K2500 suburban I bought. The pplan is to buy 16 x 8 steelies from wheel Vintiques and mount 285/75 mud tires. I feel these will be the next notch down from my original lift & tire size/profile. I'm not sure the 37s would fit real well with the 6" lift. It would be borderline using the 8.25" wheels and might have needed a zero-rate (1") added. I did a k/20 with 285s mounted on Accurides with 3" lift and it was perfect!

[special-K]

I bought a '72 K/20 once that had 35/12.50-16.5s on 8.25 black nuggets that only had add-a-leafs, so no more than 2" lift. I didn't think it had any lift at all till I looked closer and saw the one square ended leaf at each corner. It would rub really easy, but pretty much drivable. Definitely too much tire. I ran it like that for months before changing to 33/12.50s on 9.75 white powdercoated steelies. Those never rubbed at all. I ended up with those tires on the '72 GMC I have now and that has less than stock height worn original springs. They look like 2" under stock, and they didn't rub too bad.

I mentioned I want to get the 16 x 8 wheels and put 285/75s on, but I realized that was if I did a 2" and also ran the 255s I have. This may help even more with your decisions. I'm going 4" so I can run these aluminum slots & 35s, which is considered not enough lift by the standards. But, these are my sand/hiway/fair weather/fancy flotation set. What I want for the 8" steelies are 35/10.50-16s they make now. I'll probably get Swampers and I'm pretty sure that will work out with the lift

[57NAPCO]

Sorry I missed your reply, Thanks again! You are a wealth of info.