[Mike C]

With my 16.5 x 9.75 Centerlines, there is no way I could clear a 12.5" wide tire without 4" lift. As it is, they very slightly touch the curl of the fender when turning.

As you note, tire sizes and marked sizes can vary dramatically. My 36" 12.5 16.5 Goodyears RTII are the same height as my 35" 12.5 15 BFG MT's were.

I like tall and narrow also and I went with 33" 10.5's on my A1 because I thought the 12.5's were too wide. (The 35's were definitely too tall!) My other choice, which may work for you, was the Super Swamper LTB in 34" 10.5. They are most likely a true 34" high which would make them same height as the 35" BFG MT's.

At least for the jeep, highway use was irrelevant so the bias construction didn't bother me, but Swampers are know for stiff sidewalls, and the jeep is a flyweight. This too steered me to the radials in the end.