16" or 16.5"s ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fishuntr · 03-10-2007, 04:16 PM

Long ago, I converted my wheels and tires on my 72, C20 to radial 16"ers. I hated the ride of the old bias ply tires and the hassle of changing them.

A friend recently found a 71, C20 that had been parked for over ten years and last registered in 1978. He has to replace the tires and I suggested he do what I did. His question is, are the 16" actually better? I say yes. What are the pros and cons? He isn't interested in a restoration, just a work truck.
Thanks

BCOWANWHEELS · 03-10-2007, 04:27 PM

there is no difference quality wise. 16.5,s are a little harder to find tires for. ifits a 4 wd truck i,d run hummer military surplus tires. i run em. there very hi-quality

Longhorn Man · 03-10-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

i,d run hummer military surplus tires. i run em. there very hi-quality

Unless they have gotten a new contract, I'd disagree with that one. Those things rode rough as hell, and wore fast.
For a normal tread street tire,16.5s are getting hard to find, and cost 50% more normally once you locate them.
for an off road truck with big ass tires, the 16.5's are still around, and as of a couple years ago, I guess they were prefered.

**special-K** · 03-10-2007, 09:56 PM

16.5s in larger sizes are actually cheaper than 16s.There is no noticeable difference in ride or performance.16s are more available.

**Stocker** · 03-10-2007, 11:15 PM

Another thing to consider: 16" rims have safety beads, and 16.5s do not. If you run very low tire pressures off-road, this could mean the difference between a bead staying on the rim -- or coming off.

BCOWANWHEELS · 03-11-2007, 10:37 PM

hard to beat a new 16.5 hummer tires for 100.00 goodyear wrangler. i get 45,000 miles out of a set. ride real nice too.

**special-K** · 03-11-2007, 11:24 PM

This guy has a C/20.I think he`d want something between an 9.50 and 12.50.

fishuntr · 03-12-2007, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. My friend is a hardhead (like me); so, I reckon he will stay with the 16.5's. I showed him all the responses.

**special-K** · 03-12-2007, 12:08 PM

I buy period-correct wheels for my`72 4wds:Wide OEMs,Aluminum Slots,and Finned Aluminum.They`re all 16.5s and all the true offroad companies offer a full line of rubber.They run less than the 16s,too.This may not be true in the more standard sized tires.I know General make those Ameri-somethings.

03-10-2007, 04:16 PM	#1
fishuntr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lucerne Valley, CA., USA Posts: 50	16" or 16.5"s ? Long ago, I converted my wheels and tires on my 72, C20 to radial 16"ers. I hated the ride of the old bias ply tires and the hassle of changing them. A friend recently found a 71, C20 that had been parked for over ten years and last registered in 1978. He has to replace the tires and I suggested he do what I did. His question is, are the 16" actually better? I say yes. What are the pros and cons? He isn't interested in a restoration, just a work truck. Thanks __________________ 72 C-20,LB,350, 4spd, 1 owner

03-10-2007, 04:27 PM	#2
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? there is no difference quality wise. 16.5,s are a little harder to find tires for. ifits a 4 wd truck i,d run hummer military surplus tires. i run em. there very hi-quality

03-10-2007, 09:56 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? 16.5s in larger sizes are actually cheaper than 16s.There is no noticeable difference in ride or performance.16s are more available. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-10-2007, 11:15 PM	#5
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,722	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? Another thing to consider: 16" rims have safety beads, and 16.5s do not. If you run very low tire pressures off-road, this could mean the difference between a bead staying on the rim -- or coming off. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

03-11-2007, 10:37 PM	#6
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? hard to beat a new 16.5 hummer tires for 100.00 goodyear wrangler. i get 45,000 miles out of a set. ride real nice too.

03-11-2007, 11:24 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? This guy has a C/20.I think he`d want something between an 9.50 and 12.50. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-12-2007, 11:00 AM	#8
fishuntr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lucerne Valley, CA., USA Posts: 50	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? Thanks for the replies guys. My friend is a hardhead (like me); so, I reckon he will stay with the 16.5's. I showed him all the responses.

03-12-2007, 12:08 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 16" or 16.5"s ? I buy period-correct wheels for my`72 4wds:Wide OEMs,Aluminum Slots,and Finned Aluminum.They`re all 16.5s and all the true offroad companies offer a full line of rubber.They run less than the 16s,too.This may not be true in the more standard sized tires.I know General make those Ameri-somethings. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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