16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sammer · 11-03-2011, 06:02 PM

Can I put 16 in rims on my 83 k20 chevy I have a 9 3/4 in 14 bolt sf 8lug axle 4x4 that currently has 16.5. Wanted to know if they wood fit and what to get them off of thanks for any help
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tucsonjwt · 11-03-2011, 07:11 PM

I have an 83 C20 with stock 16" wheels. I thought that 16.5 rims went out around the 81 model year. I am not sure about 4WD, but I think the 8 lug bolt patterns are the same. 16.5 tires are still available - try Discount Tire, but the selection is limited.

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-03-2011, 08:15 PM

Yes you can put 16" wheels on your truck. I as well know how hard certain 16.5 tires are getting to be to find. It sucks.

b454rat · 11-03-2011, 08:28 PM

You can put 15" rims on it too. With a 4" or so back space, need to grind the caliper some, but they fit. Whole lot cheaper and easier to find tires.

I have 2 near new 35x12.5x16.5s BFG All terrains, need two more. They are still available new, at $200 each.

If you go on evilbay, do a search for 16.5s, still quite a few available.

russgt · 11-03-2011, 09:15 PM

Interco still makes a variety of 16.5s. I have a set of their truxus M/Ts in 33x12.5/16.5s and have been happy so far. Going to 16s or 17s would be a good move though.

CentipedePerformance · 11-03-2011, 09:22 PM

Also, don't forget that the used Hummer Military tires are 16.5. If you have the clearance to run them, they can be had for really cheap.

azjaeger · 11-03-2011, 11:00 PM

Another option is late model Express Van wheels. 8 lug, 16 inch. Fit just fine on my 75 with no modification, you can find them as steelies with a reasonably old style center cap and trim rings. Then there are plenty of tires around.

donut · 11-04-2011, 05:44 AM

Yes, just about any old 16" 8 lug will fit. A semi-decent junkyard can hook you up. Or, I've read, that some folks use 8 lug trailer rims. I believe newer 8 lugs are different (?)

FWIW, iirc, my '73 had 2 Chevy, 2 Ford, and a Dodge rim for the spare.

DBLSPRT68 · 11-09-2011, 11:20 AM

I currently have 16.5's on my C20 right now. They are BFG 31x10.5 all terrains. I bought them from Tirerack.com many years ago. Not sure if they still even make them? Search the net for 16.5 tires, they are available because commercial trucks use them. You can go to 16 or 17's if you like and just make sure and measure the backspace correctly. My truck has had 16's on it before with no issue at all. The only reason I still have my 16.5's is because they are SLOT mags

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-09-2011, 09:13 PM

Your truck looks awesome with those slots on it!

Your41Plague12 · 11-09-2011, 10:22 PM

Agreed. Slotted mags look good on everything.

DBLSPRT68 · 11-10-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

Agreed. Slotted mags look good on everything.

I know. I love them so much! Same wheels on my 2500 Suburban when I needed to haul my Can Am to it's new owner. The Sub is loaded with a weeks worth of stuff a battery powered motorcycle for my son, Oh and a spare Complete Pontiac 400 engine!

The 454tbi made the 1300+ mile round trip without a problem. David

iroc12valve · 11-11-2011, 04:33 PM

other than weird industrial wheels that are 8 bolt but obviosly have a huge bolt pattern(someting like 10"or so)

You CAN use any 8 bolt wheels from any chevy, dodge, trailer, Whatever just watch for fords 97 and back is fine but when the superdutys came out (99 up) they changed
Hummer H2 rims are good they're 17" so lots of tire options and they are forged aluminum

72freak · 11-11-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBLSPRT68

Can-Ams rule!!! Do yourself a favor ans switch to 16".

11-03-2011, 06:02 PM	#1
sammer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: caledonia ohio Posts: 1	16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Can I put 16 in rims on my 83 k20 chevy I have a 9 3/4 in 14 bolt sf 8lug axle 4x4 that currently has 16.5. Wanted to know if they wood fit and what to get them off of thanks for any help Posted via Mobile Device

11-03-2011, 07:11 PM	#2
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help I have an 83 C20 with stock 16" wheels. I thought that 16.5 rims went out around the 81 model year. I am not sure about 4WD, but I think the 8 lug bolt patterns are the same. 16.5 tires are still available - try Discount Tire, but the selection is limited.

11-03-2011, 08:15 PM	#3
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Yes you can put 16" wheels on your truck. I as well know how hard certain 16.5 tires are getting to be to find. It sucks. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-03-2011, 08:28 PM	#4
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help You can put 15" rims on it too. With a 4" or so back space, need to grind the caliper some, but they fit. Whole lot cheaper and easier to find tires. I have 2 near new 35x12.5x16.5s BFG All terrains, need two more. They are still available new, at $200 each. If you go on evilbay, do a search for 16.5s, still quite a few available. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

11-03-2011, 09:15 PM	#5
russgt Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 904	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Interco still makes a variety of 16.5s. I have a set of their truxus M/Ts in 33x12.5/16.5s and have been happy so far. Going to 16s or 17s would be a good move though. __________________ 70 stepside 76 blazer 86 Silverado 20 Max Trailering 6.2 Crew 71 Nova SS My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=363634

11-03-2011, 09:22 PM	#6
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Also, don't forget that the used Hummer Military tires are 16.5. If you have the clearance to run them, they can be had for really cheap.

11-03-2011, 11:00 PM	#7
azjaeger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Casa Grande, Arizona Posts: 74	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Another option is late model Express Van wheels. 8 lug, 16 inch. Fit just fine on my 75 with no modification, you can find them as steelies with a reasonably old style center cap and trim rings. Then there are plenty of tires around.

11-04-2011, 05:44 AM	#8
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Yes, just about any old 16" 8 lug will fit. A semi-decent junkyard can hook you up. Or, I've read, that some folks use 8 lug trailer rims. I believe newer 8 lugs are different (?) FWIW, iirc, my '73 had 2 Chevy, 2 Ford, and a Dodge rim for the spare. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

11-09-2011, 11:20 AM	#9
DBLSPRT68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ft. Mill, SC USA Posts: 931	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help I currently have 16.5's on my C20 right now. They are BFG 31x10.5 all terrains. I bought them from Tirerack.com many years ago. Not sure if they still even make them? Search the net for 16.5 tires, they are available because commercial trucks use them. You can go to 16 or 17's if you like and just make sure and measure the backspace correctly. My truck has had 16's on it before with no issue at all. The only reason I still have my 16.5's is because they are SLOT mags __________________ PROJECT TRUCK: 1985 SWB C10 Silverado Black/Charcoal, 1990 V2500 Suburban, 2018 Suburban, 2005 GMC 2500HD CCSB, 2014 Toyota Camry SE, HAD.....1968 Camaro RS/SS Family owned since new; 350 3 speed SOLD

11-09-2011, 09:13 PM	#10
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Your truck looks awesome with those slots on it! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-09-2011, 10:22 PM	#11
Your41Plague12 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,009	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help Agreed. Slotted mags look good on everything. __________________ Steve Member of the Foot Pedal Club '83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL, Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, 350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400

11-11-2011, 04:33 PM	#13
iroc12valve Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: niagara, ontario Posts: 109	Re: 16.5 in rim trouble finding tires help other than weird industrial wheels that are 8 bolt but obviosly have a huge bolt pattern(someting like 10"or so) You CAN use any 8 bolt wheels from any chevy, dodge, trailer, Whatever just watch for fords 97 and back is fine but when the superdutys came out (99 up) they changed Hummer H2 rims are good they're 17" so lots of tire options and they are forged aluminum __________________ 1991 V3500 350TBI/4l80/205 D60/14bff - Crew long 1987 IrocZ-28 525 horse/567 Lb Tq 383 1976 K30 on 39.5s One wheel drive thanks to a np203 and some K5's lol

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