What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

What the heck happened to 16.5" tires?

rjfguitar

rjfguitar

3/4 ton status
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Aug 28, 2002
Posts
9,120
Reaction score
175
Location
california
So last time I was messing with tires and wheels, which would have been my K5, 16.5 tires were common with lots of sizes. Now I am after tires/wheels for my K30 and found a set of used 16.5 Welds, but there are no freakin' tires available for 16.5 anymore!

Most tires don't even have 16.5's anymore and what brands/models do have a VERY limited selection.

Has the 16.5 size been hit that hard in the last two years? Are 16.5's now something to stay away from?
 
Are you basing this off of the magazine ads?

If so I've noticed they aren't advertising the 16.5" sizes as much and the newer tire brands/styles don't usually come in them.

The no/little bead seat issue that most 16.5" wheels have is the cause of all of this. With 16", 17", and up wheels becoming more common now there's no reason to go out and pick 16.5" wheels unless you get a deal or happen to have some. That said there's still plenty of tire makers making big truck tires. Check out Interco's line, plenty of Swampers in 16.5".

I run 36x12.5-16.5's on Big Ugly but when I finally get new tires I will probably switch to 16's.
 
bfg m/t = 33 load d 2910 lbs at full air spec

ground hawgs bias = 33 (12-16.5) load d 3000 lbs at full air spec

swamper truxus m/t = 33 load e 3525 at full air spec

swamper tsl radial = 33 load e 3525 at full air spec
 
yeah, lots of Interco stuff comes in 16.5" rims. AFAIK you can get anything in the Interco line except Iroks in 16.5. I wouldn't mind having 17" rims... but they don't make regular old TSLs in 17s... so **** it, I'll just stick with tiny little 15s. Makes the tire look bigger anyway! ;)

j
 
So we proved "limited selection":D:D Now check price:eek1::doah::haha:

4WheelParts wants $638 for ONE "Hummer" tire:eek1::eek1:

I checked the Goodyear price because I see the used military tires with 90%+ tires go for less than that for a complete set:bow:

I'm looking into using the mil HMMV beadlocks but unless I want to stick with mil surplus tires it looks like $$$ will be a huge factor:(
 
They're out there. Just gotta call and check around. Most tire places don't list or advertise them because there's not too high a demand for them. Mainly due to the bead. I'm going to 16's or 17's after these tires wear out on my 16.5's.
 
if you can stand it, go used, and craigslist. I just did my 3/4 ton conversion and i have now bought 3 different sets of wheels and tires for chump change.
Not only is there a huge used supply of 16.5's but they are dirt cheap.

In new, however I've noticed they are there but the prices have gone way up and there are not anywhere near the choices there used to be.
Damn pimp rigs ruin it for the rest of us :D

I had 39x18x16.5 baja belted and was worried about the width, so i picked up a set of 39x15x16.5 baja for $125. $125 for (4) huge tires with bout 60% left. I love 16.5's
 
jekbrown said:
yeah, lots of Interco stuff comes in 16.5" rims. AFAIK you can get anything in the Interco line except Iroks in 16.5. I wouldn't mind having 17" rims... but they don't make regular old TSLs in 17s... so **** it, I'll just stick with tiny little 15s. Makes the tire look bigger anyway! ;)

j
Click to expand...

They make Irok's in 16.5's. They also make regular TSL's in the 39.5 and 42" varierty for 17" rims.
 
Sure, there is no problem getting a 40" tire 16.5. I should have clarified, I'm looking for a mall terrain in the 32-33" size. Not too much selection.:crazy:
 
the aftermarket follows the new car market. when was the last time you could buy a new truck with 16.5 tires on it? Just run a 16" set. they will still clear and your choices will be greater when it comes to rims and tires.

If you go with 16.5's now, imagine how few selections there will be every time you need to replace them in the future.
 
I believe BFG makes both the AT and MT in 16.5" sizes, 33's, 35's, and 31's, if they are still being offered.
 
Well, I bought a set of 16.5x9.75" Weld Scorpio V's with 33x12.50 Cooper Discovers on them. Yep, BFG is still making some 16.5's, Interco obviously (not really interested in them, too aggressive), Cooper is IIRC, and a couple others. But, the sizes are limited.
 
Just did my 3/4 ton conversion, sorta outta necessity once my 10bolt blew out. Luckily I had the 14bolt axle ready to go for quite some time. I was in a pinch to get rims/tires, so I got a deal on a set of used 16.5 tires which had better tread than my 15 tires anyway. I plan on going 16" with some beadlocks and new tires for offroad, but these should be fine for street.

I thought about a beadlock kit for my 16.5" steelies... are these any good? Then I could just keep these $20 rims and repaint 'em. :)
 
I priced both the 35x12.50R16.5 and 315/75R16 BFGs at Costco a couple weeks back. AT or MT in either size were all within $10.

The way I see it, wide 16" wheels you'd probably have to buy new. Wide 16.5" wheels are now used as 'rollers' at the junkyards. I know which way I'm going ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom