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Phil's '88 Big Blue Build Thread

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There are several manufactures still making 16.5" tires.

Obsolete is a strong word.....

Martin
 
Looking back, I should have worded that more softly (apologies offered). It is still possible to order a few varieties of 16.5" tires. But I do think that they're obsolete. AFAIK, Chevy stopped using them around 1980. I have yet to find a tire retailer that can order 16.5" tires anymore (and I've garnered a few weird looks from people who didn't even remember they existed).

They seem to be almost as dead as split rims.

Given the context of someone looking for new rims, I would not consider 16.5" rims to be an upgrade. Unless you're planning to rock the military tires (in that case, go for it).

If you wanna buy some, you could fairly easily persuade me to sell my set. It has yet to do me much good, and I haven't been able to give them away. :dunno:
 
You can buy a set of stock steel wheels for less than you can buy one new wheel of any size.

Martin
 
82355 said:
You can buy a set of stock steel wheels for less than you can buy one new wheel of any size.

Martin
Click to expand...

There is a reason that all 3 of my rigs are running stock rims (albeit from multiple eras). And why I have a small pile of additional stock rims. And zero aftermarket rims (though I have replaced one rim, that might count).

I have no issue with running 16.5" rims. The original question was whether 16" and 16.5" rims were a bad idea, given the rising availability of 17" and larger tires. I wished to point out that, while 16" tires are still popular and easily available, 16.5" tires have passed into the "hard-to-find" category. I don't think 17" tires are required, but I do think 16.5" rims are a bad idea if he's concerned with tire availability (aside from the military tires, of course).

While we're out buying cheap stock rims, why not buy cheap 16" stock rims? Seems like half the time they come with a half-decent set of rubber already mounted on them. :dunno:
 
Stock rims is what I actually want. If I can find some 16's, then thats the way I'd truly want to go.

Our old school offset isn't common on craigslist, most are newer stuff. I think I just need to break out and do some digging.

Thanks dude. If I was honest, I'd never want to go to 17's, unless it would just be stupid not to do so.
 
When i started up my latest build, i dedicated myself to shopping in the used market first to help keep costs down. Finding tires to go on 17" rims was a joke. What selection there was displayed significant wear, or they were asking new prices.

Ended up staying with 15s, because the tires were cheapish, and my existing rims fit over the 14sf.

If you're not buying new, availability may dictate more what to shop for
 
I find deals on 16.5" tires all the time. Much more so than 16" tires.

Martin
 
Here it's getting harder to find stock steelies at a reasonable cost for old square bodies--yesterday I took a hike through my favorite salvage yard and saw maybe 4 square body trucks,and only 2 of the 1/2 ton 4x4's had any rims or tires on them...their inventory of taken off rims is now sparse,used to be a huge pile of them and racks full in a barn,but I guess they scrapped a lot of them as demand faded and scrap prices shot up a few years ago..

Now all the salvage yards seem to be scrapping any rims off old trucks and only keep ones off late 90's and newer vehicles,mostly the factory alloys rather than steel rims too...and they aren't giving them away,prices start at 50 bucks here for most any rim..

Here you see more 17" tires lately than 16's,I have a set of 4 B.F. Goodrich 245/75/17 tires I cant use because rims for 17's that have enough offset on later trucks wont fit my '82,and I dont have a few hundred to buy some that will work,so I'm going to try selling the tires..
I went hunting for some good 16" tires and found a few dozen that looked brand new on junkers,but had been sitting out to the weather so long the sidewalls were all alligatored...it's a shame they dont take more tires off vehicles at junkyards..sometimes you'll come across brand new spares still in the under the bed tire carrier,but they want 100 bucks for a "new spare" and charge you for picking the truck up with the loader..

I never liked 16.5" tires,they came off the bead too easily on most stock rims,that lacked a safety bead..

I had 4 Cooper 8.75/16.5's I bought a set of 4 bias ply ones brand new on my 71 K5,on 6 lug drop center rims,that were a rare factory option..those had safety beads --they worked good but the nylon corded tires felt like square wheels the first 15 miles every cold morning..
 
Who else makes oversize 16.5 tires?..... Other then Interco and Goodyear?
 
Ah yes I forgot about pitbull. But I had searched bfg before I posted and didn't see a listing for 16.5...:dunno:
 
I personally don't have much use for a bfg AT. Overrated tire that everyone has. I am over them.
 
I would try the general gabber red labels. Nothing but good reviews. I am dying to try them. A few members on here that run them. Pretty sure they like them.
 
beags86 said:
I would try the general gabber red labels. Nothing but good reviews. I am dying to try them. A few members on here that run them. Pretty sure they like them.
Click to expand...

Website says they only go to 35.
 
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