16 inch wheels on a 5x5 1/2 ?

[Alex]

I am thinking about the tire issue. I was at the jamboree in Indy last weekend, saw some nice EB's BTW! Way to represent!Anybody from here? I swear I saw an Orange one that looked new!
Anywho, my cousin said I should keep tire size in mind as far as conversion and look into tires other than the typical 15 inchers. I want taller and narow. Maybe like a 33x10 max? Should I consider geting 16 inch rims and going that route? Anyone here do that? Or should I just shop in the 15 inch range?

I dont want to spend alot of money, I like the idea of using a stock ford steel wheel but that would limit me to the 15". I dont think there is a 16" with a 5x51/2 bolt patern.?.?

I just want a tire that will work in snow and do fair on the trail. Not many rock canyons here!

The truck has very little lift on it, K-S front springs, sits level. But it is cut!

 

[ken75ranger]

You could probably find a good deal on some used 16" rims. Keep your eyes open with the lowrider crowd.

 

[broncnaz]

actually ford offered the 16in rim on bronco's and F100's as an option I'd post in the want ads there are some out there or go to the local tire shop see what they have laying around. I'm running 33x9.5x15 BFG MT's really liked them would stay with them but I need something a little wider so I'm going to the 10.50's next week. while searching the web I found a set of the 9.5's for $130 each locally shop around.

 

[Bronco73]

I ahve has a couple of 16 inch ford wheels that fit on the F150 trucks. I haven't seen that many of them.

 

[Alex]

actually ford offered the 16in rim on bronco's and F100's as an option I'd post in the want ads there are some out there or go to the local tire shop see what they have laying around. I'm running 33x9.5x15 BFG MT's really liked them would stay with them but I need something a little wider so I'm going to the 10.50's next week. while searching the web I found a set of the 9.5's for $130 each locally shop around.

Did ford make them pre 1997? I would like to see your rig with those tires, got pics? I was thinking of going that route! Why are you going wider? I was thinking narrower would help MPG and road handling.

 

[broncnaz]

Yes to ford making the 16 rims prior to 97 I'm almost positive they were offered as an option in 66 not sure when they stopped this option. I don't think I have any pics right now I'll look around and see I should have some in a day or two. I'm going wider because it feels a little to tippy in offcamber situations I have a 2 1/2" lift also. Just need a little more stance off road I really liked them on the highway never had any problems there and they dont rub the radius arms like 12.50's tend to do. I think the 10.50's will be about perfect

 

[Alex]

Well, so far it looks like I may have to go with a set of 31/10.5. ( would prefer a set of 32's) I have 31/11.5 on the truck now but they measure out wider than a set of 33/12.5's I looked at on another EB today (I have stupid wide rims). The guy at the tire shop said these 15 inch 31x10.5 tires should be mounted on nothing less than a 9 inch wide rim? Does this sound correct to you. I really want a narrower look, but not to narrow if ya know what i mean. I was thinkin about using stock ford steel wheels and hubcaps!


BIg O tires mud terain any good?

 

[MKD]

My dad gave me the '68 I have and he ordered and bought it new with 16" rims. I still have 'em sitting in my barn but immediately put some fairly "standard" 15"ers on because I had trouble finding anyone with a tire to fit the 16"s it came with. The tires are still on the rims sitting in my barn. They were something like 6.50x16 nylons and, though they are tubeless, my dad put tubes in them in case he had to fix a flat out in the middle of nowhere. Modern radials, if they can be reasonably had, would have certainly resulted in better handling and noise reduction. But, as I said, I went with 15" chromed wagon wheels with LT215x75s. The truck is stock, uncut.

 

[broncnaz]

My rims are 8 or 8.5 I cant remember white spoke wagons. I've run 10.50s on them no problems check out the tire manufactures websites they will give suggested rim widths I believe BFG recommends an 8-11" wheel for its 33x12.50's most people wont run an 8" rim with the 12.50's because its too easy to pop a bead when they air down. stock rims are 5.5 a little small for 10.50's the tire shop may not mount them. your tire guy is sort of right but 8 in rims will work fine I'm sure he could special order you some 9in rims I think hes looking to make a sale. I'd get some white wagon wheels can usually be picked up cheap new are about $25 ea you could problably find 4 used ones for that or possible some later model takeoffs. I saw your bronco on your site looks like you got some of them jeep rims they all run with the back spacing My 31's never stuck out that far. I'm not sure about BigO tires they used to be cr@p but I think they've improved and I think they have a good road hazard option

 

[astark]

Hey Alex, my son posted a pic of our Bronco earlier tonight here

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35956

We run 31x10.5-15's on stock wheels with hub caps. You can see what they look like in the pic. We also are running Mud King tires and have been very happy with them over the last two years. Four of those tires mounted, balanced, taxed and everything is 384.18 at Burgess Tire in Tuckerman Arkansas. I don't think there is a better tire for the money.

 

[Amac70]

on the width issue a 7 or 8" wide wheel will work fine for a 10 to 11.5 inch tire. and 8" is great for a 12.5 wide tire it will hold a bead better then a wider wheel when aired down.

 

[Jeepster]

Well, so far it looks like I may have to go with a set of 31/10.5. ( would prefer a set of 32's) I have 31/11.5 on the truck now but they measure out wider than a set of 33/12.5's I looked at on another EB today (I have stupid wide rims). The guy at the tire shop said these 15 inch 31x10.5 tires should be mounted on nothing less than a 9 inch wide rim? Does this sound correct to you. I really want a narrower look, but not to narrow if ya know what i mean. I was thinkin about using stock ford steel wheels and hubcaps!


BIg O tires mud terain any good?

31 x 10.5 x 15 on ford 6" rims

 

[Alex]

Thaks all!

Jeepster I am diggin those slots! Do they hold air good? I had some on a 67 mustang that liked to slow leak on the bead?

I am really liking the hubcap idea, I really like the retro look! If I can find some hubcaps and then find out what rims to use I may go that route. I did notice some of those cheap wagon wheels like I have (mine are to wide) on the web for as little as $25 if I remember right.

So I guess it will be 31/10.5 on a 9 inch rim, maybe 8 if you all think it will work. I am ready to buy. I may try to get them on the web to save $$. I may just buy new(arrg) rims on the cheap.

 

[Jeepster]

The rims on the rig hold air really well. Hell I havent put any in, in the 2 years that I've had it.( ofcourse its parked most of the time )

I would go to a 8" rim with a 10.5 tire. That is with a 15"size.
BFG says 7- 9" rim

 

[Alex]

Thanks!

I think I will do that!

Thanks for all the tips. Are those slots still available new?

 

[Jeepster]

Re: Thanks!

Are those slots still available new?

no :-[

 

[Gummi Bear]

Hey Alex,

If you are serious about finding some 16" wheels, these guys seem to have it all. I believe that they even have a custom order service available, so you can get anything your heart desires.

Stockton Wheel

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/default.htm

 

[fatcatmatt74]

16 in wheels

ive run 16x7 white spokes on every truck ive ever had. i run the same tire also a 9.00x16 power king directional tread bias ply. this tire pulls good in sand snow and mud not alot of rocks in fl so i have no idea how they work there. the tires ride good if you get them trued last about 25000 miles if you keep them rotated and are cheap about 100.00 ea anywhere you go. they measure out about 33 1/4 actual tall and about 9 in wide on the 7 in wheels.
they also make this size in the military tread its made by denman
called the denman ndt 9.00x16. about the same price. ive seen these tires run on everything from nissan minis to ford f450's with good results. they have a good load range (D i think)but still have some flex. however being a tall skinny bias they do ride alot different than a radial. my woods truck currently has a set of directionals on it with cut flares and a 1 in body lift. they do rub the radius arms at lock though. hope this helps.

 

[Alex]

Do you have any pics? I would like to see that.

 

[desertbug]

Back to the original question on 16" - isn't it a little harder to find (non-street) tires for the larger rims/wheels (16, 17")?

If so - aren't they a little more expensive?

15" seems to be the best standard out there - espeically considering availability and price - although once you get above a 35" tire the ride will be "squishier"