16.5 inch wheels - Love 'em or Lose "em ???

[Green Machine]

My new aqquired 71 C20 has the 16.5 wheels and tires. The tires will need replaced soon, I don't think there is much selection in 16.5 tires anymore and I won't be hauling much if anything so don't need load range D tires.

I'm trying to go real low buget on this one, should I keep the 16.5 steel wheels and find some new tires or find some stock steel 8 bolt 16 inch rims at the junkyard and buy a more common tire ? What rims are a good junkyard fit for these, backspacing and etc ???

[BobbyK]

I personnally like the look of the old "steelies",question is...do YOU?

I run the 70-80's Chevy ralley on my 71 and like how they look as well.

If you want to get rid of those "steelie's" let me know.

[jrb71c20]

Im hoping to get a set of 16.5 x 9.75 slots for mine one day and I've noticed through this site and general searching that the tire selection is pretty thin. For saving the hasel in the long run, I'd say get a set of 16's. IIRC just about any newer model truck rims will work. I don't know about what all tire sized will fit good but, I'm sure someone will square us away

[longhorn70gmc]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

My new aqquired 71 C20 has the 16.5 wheels and tires. The tires will need replaced soon, I don't think there is much selection in 16.5 tires anymore and I won't be hauling much if anything so don't need load range D tires.

I'm trying to go real low buget on this one, should I keep the 16.5 steel wheels and find some new tires or find some stock steel 8 bolt 16 inch rims at the junkyard and buy a more common tire ? What rims are a good junkyard fit for these, backspacing and etc ???

I just went through this. Even at Discount tire they are $175 dollars a piece. Stock 16's out of a Junkyard is a better way. You can make a big difference in savings on a set. I kept the 16.5 for future shows only or to through on the truck for temp use.

[Solver]

Green Machine you gotta post pics !
The cheapest will most likley be newer style 8 bolt ralleys. The only thing is you will need double threaded lugnuts to get new style center caps on. They arn't very dressy but work well for the budget minded.

[N2TRUX]

Lose'em. No doubt you will save lots of money on tires with 16's

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

Chevrolet/GMC 16x6.5" 8 lug rims from 73-86 trucks will bolt right on. 235/85's fill up the front and rear wheelwells good, I have those up front on 16x6.5's and 33/12.50's on 16.5x9.75's in the back:

[low'n slow]

I just bought a new 9.50 X 16.5 for around $100.00 with a warranty. I can't recall the brand name right now and it's 800 miles away. If you're intersted, pm me and I'll get it for you next weekend when I'm home.

[special-K]

Do you have stock 16.5s now?I have bought 3 sets of 16.5 wheels in the last year to get the right look for the era:slots/turbines/wide oem.This is for 4wds and tire selection is ok up to 12.50/33s.Above that it`s Mudders,Hawgs,Swampers,& BFG A/T or M/T.For 8.75x16.5s you can find a good selection from Kelly,General,Cooper,some of the brands I listed above,and others.I didn`t think 16s were cheapMainly you get more selection and a taller/narrower profile with 16s.

[Green Machine]

Here's a pic for Solver - ya know it would be faster if you just drove up here, by the time we get it shined up for pics.......... Just bought it 12 days ago, so far we have swapped the engine, turbo 350 was trashed so we found another and rebuilt it - used to work in at a tranny shop but its been a long time - fixed starter, replaced master cylinder, replaced power steering gear( I hate leaky stuff), stripped interrior for cleaning, spent about 20 hours with the pressure washer, old farm truck,removed ugly rear bumper and replaced with a spare we had here, we should have pics mid-week.....

[Green Machine]

Ok - Here's two more - thats how it looked after being pulled out if the shed, The man on the left is the original owner, myself, and my youngest mechanic son, my older truck nut/mechanic son is taking the picture. The next pic has my oldest son in the pic.

[Green Machine]

And some heart surgery - that was the next day - no sense messing around !!!

[special-K]

Are you guys a family or a lpit crew?That`s great.A family that wrenches together,stays together.

[tkeduk8r]

hey looks great.. that will be a great hauler, or is that the new project for the youngest one... I wish my dad had been as nuts about vehicles as you guys are!!! So what is the powerplant n' stuff thats going into this one??? Im thinking 383/NP4500/Eaton rear and pull anything you could dream of... OH i guess I should comment on the tire selection... I have a set of 16.5/9.75's here that eventually will find their way onto my 3/4 ton when im done with school... I didnt have that big of a prollem finding decent tires for the 16.5 rim... prices arent that bad either... blast'em powder coat (can do your self if you three guys can con mom into "letting" you use the oven ... and you even got the right dogdishes... what else does this thing have on it??? enjoy the heat...
--Mike

[Scrubby]

Originally Posted by jrb71c20

For saving the hasel in the long run, I'd say get a set of 16's. IIRC just about any newer model truck rims will work. I don't know about what all tire sized will fit good but, I'm sure someone will square us away

Yep. The new 8 lug wheels work great! Here is a pic of my old suburban with them:



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Pete

'72 K5 Blazer
'87 V10 Suburban
Pictures of my trucks!
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