Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mia66GMC · 05-16-2010, 04:27 PM

This is the tires I currently have on the 66

Long bed now:

Kelly Sprinfield "Armor Trac A/T" 9.50-16.5 LT (tread 6 plies)

I'm looking to give the truck a 5"-7" dropped, so I want to get low profiles and keep the original wheels.

Any vendors / websites suggestions??

72freak · 05-16-2010, 05:53 PM

There are many posts on here about 16.5's...do a search. About the smallest you will be able to find is 7.00 x 16.5.

**Captainfab** · 05-17-2010, 12:08 AM

You would have a much better selection of low profile tires if you switched to 16" 8 lug wheels. The 16.5" are intended for use on trucks, so you really arean't going to find any nice low profile tires. Besides I've heard that the 16.5's are going to be slowly phased out.

*blackedoutharley* · 05-17-2010, 03:56 AM

16.5" tires are still available but are in limited sizes as mentioned (24 yrs in the tire biz and have never, ever heard of a 7.50x16.5).

The readily available sizes are:

8.00x16.5 (both radial & bias) 28.4" O.D.
8.75x16.5 (radial or bias) 29.4" O.D.
9.50x16.5 (radial or bias) 30.4" O.D.
33x12.50R16.5 which is just shy of 33" o.d.
35x12.50R16.5 which is just shy of 35" o.d.

Each of these sizes will be a load range 'D' 8 ply rated tire (or greater) designed to carry a load. Tread designs will be limited as will brands... not every mfg is currently making 16.5" tires because it is old stuff. 16.5" wheels ceased to have an oem fitment in the early / mid 80's (with the exception of the Hummer H1).
If you are contemplating a lowered truck I would strongly suggest (as others have) a 16" wheel or perhaps convert it to 1/2 ton as your options then become almost unlimited.

**aerotruk63** · 05-17-2010, 05:26 AM

Faced the same issue with my 17.5" X 5.25"- 6 lug rims. Wanted to keep the originality of the center, so I changed out the ring to 17". Now I have a better selection of tires.

padresag · 05-17-2010, 09:58 AM

16.5 rims and tires were not OEM in 66
ron

*blackedoutharley* · 05-17-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padresag

16.5 rims and tires were not OEM in 66
ron

True!

Missed that part. Factory back then would have been a 16" split rim with probably a 750x16.

Frizzle Fry · 05-17-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Faced the same issue with my 17.5" X 5.25"- 6 lug rims. Wanted to keep the originality of the center, so I changed out the ring to 17". Now I have a better selection of tires.

I've been staging parts to do this very thing, but from 16.5" to 17". Just need to find a 17" hoop with a 14.5" ID. That, or I'll have to add a little material to the centers. Any details/insight on the process?

**aerotruk63** · 05-17-2010, 08:28 PM

Depending on the ring that you find you might not have to add anything to the center. On my 63 C10 I split the ring, widened it, then re-welded the center to the wider ring.

Mia66GMC · 05-18-2010, 07:42 AM

Thank you all,
I'm going to take all of your advise and switch to 8 lugz 16" wheels from Vintage, Unfortunately, my budget was for tires only, so I'm gonna have to wait to save more CASH for the wheels. If anyone wants to donate or contribute to my “Cause” I can give you my paypal account, lol

05-16-2010, 04:27 PM	#1
Mia66GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami,Florida Posts: 40	Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels This is the tires I currently have on the 66 Long bed now: Kelly Sprinfield "Armor Trac A/T" 9.50-16.5 LT (tread 6 plies) I'm looking to give the truck a 5"-7" dropped, so I want to get low profiles and keep the original wheels. Any vendors / websites suggestions??

05-16-2010, 05:53 PM	#2
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels There are many posts on here about 16.5's...do a search. About the smallest you will be able to find is 7.00 x 16.5. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

05-17-2010, 12:08 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels You would have a much better selection of low profile tires if you switched to 16" 8 lug wheels. The 16.5" are intended for use on trucks, so you really arean't going to find any nice low profile tires. Besides I've heard that the 16.5's are going to be slowly phased out. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

05-17-2010, 03:56 AM	#4
blackedoutharley Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plumas Lake, Ca. Posts: 1,009	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels 16.5" tires are still available but are in limited sizes as mentioned (24 yrs in the tire biz and have never, ever heard of a 7.50x16.5). The readily available sizes are: 8.00x16.5 (both radial & bias) 28.4" O.D. 8.75x16.5 (radial or bias) 29.4" O.D. 9.50x16.5 (radial or bias) 30.4" O.D. 33x12.50R16.5 which is just shy of 33" o.d. 35x12.50R16.5 which is just shy of 35" o.d. Each of these sizes will be a load range 'D' 8 ply rated tire (or greater) designed to carry a load. Tread designs will be limited as will brands... not every mfg is currently making 16.5" tires because it is old stuff. 16.5" wheels ceased to have an oem fitment in the early / mid 80's (with the exception of the Hummer H1). If you are contemplating a lowered truck I would strongly suggest (as others have) a 16" wheel or perhaps convert it to 1/2 ton as your options then become almost unlimited. Last edited by blackedoutharley; 05-18-2010 at 12:52 PM.

05-17-2010, 05:26 AM	#5
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,625	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels Faced the same issue with my 17.5" X 5.25"- 6 lug rims. Wanted to keep the originality of the center, so I changed out the ring to 17". Now I have a better selection of tires. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

05-17-2010, 09:58 AM	#6
padresag Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sidney,b.c. Posts: 4,425	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels 16.5 rims and tires were not OEM in 66 ron

05-17-2010, 08:28 PM	#9
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,625	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels Depending on the ring that you find you might not have to add anything to the center. On my 63 C10 I split the ring, widened it, then re-welded the center to the wider ring. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1 Last edited by aerotruk63; 05-17-2010 at 08:29 PM.

05-18-2010, 07:42 AM	#10
Mia66GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami,Florida Posts: 40	Re: Need Tires for my factory 8 lugz 16.5 wheels Thank you all, I'm going to take all of your advise and switch to 8 lugz 16" wheels from Vintage, Unfortunately, my budget was for tires only, so I'm gonna have to wait to save more CASH for the wheels. If anyone wants to donate or contribute to my “Cause” I can give you my paypal account, lol



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