Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

littlehopper · 04-24-2020, 03:12 PM

My C20 came with 8.25 x 16.5 wheels and I just came across a set for cheap. Is it worth it or too difficult to find tires?
I’d really like to get rid of these HD wheels and have something at least period correct.

Thanks, Joe

factorystock · 04-24-2020, 03:35 PM

16.5" tires can still be ordered fairly easily. Compare price to 16". Probably not much difference. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Firestone...?epid=93726890 Period correct '67 and '68 16.5" 8 lug wheels have clips for period correct hubcap.

**Steeveedee** · 04-24-2020, 04:36 PM

I am but will be switching out for 16" wheels the next time I need tires. The ones on my truck now will likely rot before they wear out. I don't drive it much, which is kind of a shame.

**LockDoc** · 04-24-2020, 05:03 PM

-
I still have 8.25 x 16.5 wheels and tires on my stocker '68 CST/Custom Camper truck. I found some 16.5 tires off of an older motor home that were in good shape. I don't drive it too much and I wanted to use the 8.25 wide original wheels and small caps.

LockDoc

**jocko** · 04-24-2020, 05:32 PM

I have em too. Easiest to find are the Firestone Transforce HTs or ATs

Greasey Harley · 04-24-2020, 10:17 PM

Our shop truck is a '79 C30. and it still has the 16.5 wheels. We bought a set of tires for it last year. no problem finding them around here.
You will be limited in choices. But, if you want 16 ply, load range E, "truck tires" you're in luck, they still make them in 16.5".

littlehopper · 04-26-2020, 11:03 AM

Thank you all for the info. Going to check them out today. Off a square body so have nubs for caps, can I still use 67-68 style caps or were they all clip on?

Thank you, Joe

**71blksuper4x4** · 04-26-2020, 11:23 AM

Get ya some 16”s. They make 8” wide and 10”.

dragonball98312 · 04-26-2020, 12:38 PM

Was 16 inch standard then and 16.5 an option? My 72 came with 16s, my 73 came with 16.5s and my 86 came with 16s. My 72 spid doesnt list anything for wheels but my 73 lists 16.5s and my 86 spid lists 16s

k29349 · 04-26-2020, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Get ya some 16”s. They make 8” wide and 10”.

Where can I buy these at?

**jocko** · 04-26-2020, 01:14 PM

Keep in mind that the 16” wheels available in this era were of the locking ring variety, not to be confused with the later one piece 16” 8 lug wheels. The type that most folks retrofit are the later style one piece 16” wheels.

**jocko** · 04-26-2020, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonball98312

Was 16 inch standard then and 16.5 an option? My 72 came with 16s, my 73 came with 16.5s and my 86 came with 16s. My 72 spid doesnt list anything for wheels but my 73 lists 16.5s and my 86 spid lists 16s

In 72, 16.5" wheels were standard, 16" locking ring were optional. - so if you have 16" wheels now and there are no optional wheels/tires listed on your SPID, they are not original.
In 73, 16.5" wheels were still standard, so if 16.5" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.
By 86, 16" wheels were standard, so if 16" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.

littlehopper · 04-26-2020, 04:48 PM

What size tire would be the 16.5 x 8.25 rim? 9.5?

**71blksuper4x4** · 04-26-2020, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k29349

Where can I buy these at?

Mine are US Wheels brand.

**LockDoc** · 04-26-2020, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlehopper

What size tire would be the 16.5 x 8.25 rim? 9.5?

My tires are 8.75 x 16.5 LT's.

LockDoc

k29349 · 04-26-2020, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Mine are US Wheels brand.

Do you know what number they are? I can't seem to find them.

dragonball98312 · 04-27-2020, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

In 72, 16.5" wheels were standard, 16" locking ring were optional. - so if you have 16" wheels now and there are no optional wheels/tires listed on your SPID, they are not original.
In 73, 16.5" wheels were still standard, so if 16.5" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.
By 86, 16" wheels were standard, so if 16" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.

Good to know thank you

dragonball98312 · 04-27-2020, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

In 72, 16.5" wheels were standard, 16" locking ring were optional. - so if you have 16" wheels now and there are no optional wheels/tires listed on your SPID, they are not original.
In 73, 16.5" wheels were still standard, so if 16.5" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.
By 86, 16" wheels were standard, so if 16" is listed on your SPID, it is likely for an optional wider wheel/tire combo.

How would i be able to tell if my 72 wheels are 16" split or newer ones?

**jocko** · 04-27-2020, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonball98312

How would i be able to tell if my 72 wheels are 16" split or newer ones?

pic 1 (dark olive truck) is a 16" locking ring type
pic 2 (med olive truck) is a 16.5" (original to the truck, a 71 - note the distinctive more gentle curve of the outer lip and how you can almost "see under" the lip to the tire)
pic 3 (white truck) is a 16" (not original, from a later year, installed on a 72)

**71blksuper4x4** · 04-27-2020, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k29349

Do you know what number they are? I can't seem to find them.

https://www.uswheel.com/wheel/7637/u...9/?finishID=12

04-24-2020, 03:12 PM	#1
littlehopper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Port Murray, NJ Posts: 147	Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? My C20 came with 8.25 x 16.5 wheels and I just came across a set for cheap. Is it worth it or too difficult to find tires? I’d really like to get rid of these HD wheels and have something at least period correct. Thanks, Joe Attached Images

04-24-2020, 03:35 PM	#2
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? 16.5" tires can still be ordered fairly easily. Compare price to 16". Probably not much difference. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Firestone...?epid=93726890 Period correct '67 and '68 16.5" 8 lug wheels have clips for period correct hubcap. Attached Images Last edited by factorystock; 04-24-2020 at 03:48 PM.

04-24-2020, 04:36 PM	#3
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,724	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? I am but will be switching out for 16" wheels the next time I need tires. The ones on my truck now will likely rot before they wear out. I don't drive it much, which is kind of a shame. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

04-24-2020, 05:03 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,818	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? - I still have 8.25 x 16.5 wheels and tires on my stocker '68 CST/Custom Camper truck. I found some 16.5 tires off of an older motor home that were in good shape. I don't drive it too much and I wanted to use the 8.25 wide original wheels and small caps. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-24-2020, 05:32 PM	#5
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? I have em too. Easiest to find are the Firestone Transforce HTs or ATs

04-24-2020, 10:17 PM	#6
Greasey Harley Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Post Falls, ID Posts: 900	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? Our shop truck is a '79 C30. and it still has the 16.5 wheels. We bought a set of tires for it last year. no problem finding them around here. You will be limited in choices. But, if you want 16 ply, load range E, "truck tires" you're in luck, they still make them in 16.5".

04-26-2020, 11:03 AM	#7
littlehopper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Port Murray, NJ Posts: 147	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? Thank you all for the info. Going to check them out today. Off a square body so have nubs for caps, can I still use 67-68 style caps or were they all clip on? Thank you, Joe Attached Images

04-26-2020, 11:23 AM	#8
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,156	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? Get ya some 16”s. They make 8” wide and 10”. Attached Images __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

04-26-2020, 12:38 PM	#9
dragonball98312 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Belfair, Wa Posts: 477	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? Was 16 inch standard then and 16.5 an option? My 72 came with 16s, my 73 came with 16.5s and my 86 came with 16s. My 72 spid doesnt list anything for wheels but my 73 lists 16.5s and my 86 spid lists 16s

04-26-2020, 01:14 PM	#11
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? Keep in mind that the 16” wheels available in this era were of the locking ring variety, not to be confused with the later one piece 16” 8 lug wheels. The type that most folks retrofit are the later style one piece 16” wheels.

04-26-2020, 04:48 PM	#13
littlehopper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Port Murray, NJ Posts: 147	Re: Anyone still run 16.5 wheels/tires? What size tire would be the 16.5 x 8.25 rim? 9.5?



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