16.5's. Am I shooting myself in the foot?

[-stew-]

I'm falling in love with slots and turbine wheels. They are all 16.5's that I find. Should I run away and focus on modern 16 or 17 inch wheels? I'd like to run 35's with a maximum lift of 4 inches

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Bfg is still advertising all terrains in a 16.5

 

[-stew-]

That's one brand and one model tire. I doubt they have a wide selection of sizes.

 

[wheeler]

why not use hummer take offs? 37-12.5-16.5 pretty readily available and measure around 35-36 inches, also treadwright retreads same size, I think listed as measuring 36.4 inches and nice looking tread.

 

[-stew-]

The truck is my winter daily driver and id like to make it a rear round daily driver. I want to put brand new tires on it. Id like if I need a new tire to.be able to walk into my.local tire selling place to get a tire. And I don't wanna Dick around with mail order, or swap meet hunting for tires. That and I don't wanna Have to.lift.it to clear 37's.

 

[K85 Octane]

sounds like you are answering your own question

but really, you should go into your local tire stores or visit their websites to see what kind of inventory they have for the 16.5

 

[Smokinthehippies]

sounds like you are answering your own question

but really, you should go into your local tire stores or visit their websites to see what kind of inventory they have for the 16.5

And when you do that, you'll quickly realize that 16.5s are dead.
The only reason they still exist is because of the prevails c&r of H1 beadlocks so everyone in the offroad world has them.
You will not be able to walk into a tire shop and get one, they'd have to order it in (obviously I'm assuming but I'd be willing to bet on it)
As far as normal street sized tires go they're becoming more and more rare. Yes a few companies continue to make them. But look at the difference between a 33x 12.5 x16.5 compared to a 33x12.5x17 or a 285/75-16
It's just not even comparable

 

[Avery4jc]

He's right, normal height 16.5's are all but gone. I pulled some nice centerline 16.5's off my dad's blazer because he needed tires and there wasn't much available.

 

[bmjwright]

If you're not going to run H1 37's, I'd pass on the 16.5" wheels. The tire selection is too limited.

On the bright side, if you are going to run Hummer takeoffs, 16.5 wheels are dirt cheap (I got mine for $50).

 

[-stew-]

I pulled the trigger on some H2 17's. As stated, I think I answered my own question. Variety and availability are important to me and that sealed the deal.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

good call. basically tire manufacturers are gonna follow the OEMs
since I think all of the trucks nowadays require a 17" rim to fit over the big ass brakes, that's going to be the direction most tires go.