Hi All,
I had a quick question about tires/wheels.
I have my grandpa's 73 F250 and I finally got it up and running. Now I need to put new tires on it, but I don't know what I am looking for.
When I go on the tire websites it's asking for measurements that don't fit what I have - 9.5 x 16.5 fronts, 12.5 x 16.5 rear.
I have read where people have said to ditch these old rims due to safety issues (?), and that these are too hard to find because they are a funky size.
But then when I tried to buy some rims off a guy he said my lug pattern won't fit. Something about 8 x 6.5 verses 8 x 170mm.
Can anyone give me a quick rundown? I'm lost and out of my element.
Thank you,
Jason

 

16.5” diameter tires are hard to find. Most people switch to 16”. Ford used 16” wheels with an 8x6.5 bolt pattern on the F-series trucks until 1996, and then they switched to the 8x170mm bolt pattern.

The econoline vans stuck with the “old” 8x6.5 bolt pattern for much longer. I want to say they used it until 2014 but maybe they’re still 8x6.5?

So look for some wheels off a pre-97 F250/F350, or off pretty much any E250/E350.

 

OK, that is very helpful.
Do you think my best bet is Offer Up, or like Facebook Marketplace?
And when I go looking I should be on the lookout for the following:
16" Wheels
8x6.5 bolt pattern

 

I use FB marketplace and CraigsList most of the time. Yes, look for 16x7, 16x8, 16x10 wheels with 8x6.5 bolt pattern. Also look at your local salvage yard, they will have a lot. Most wheels that I have seen have the size stamped somewhere on them.

 

OK, thank you all so much for your help!

 

X2 all above is correct. 8 on 6.5" (8 lug studs and 6.5" lug bolt spacing) is what you need. 8 on 170MM is metric and will NOT fit your hubs/lung bolt pattern. Craigslist, FB Market place, Give and take yes...but buyer beware. If you do not know how to measure a rim to be 100% sure of the pattern, then test fit it before you pay for them. Yes right there in the parking lot and to also make sure they are backset/offset enough to clear your front 2 piston brake caliper. Also make sure you have the correct matching lug nuts.

 

37x12.5x16.5 military rubber would be a good fit if you have alittle lift.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12561288019...mis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26520675268...mis&media=COPY

 

You better have a big lift and even then it would look dumb in my opinion.

these are 33/12.50 16.5's and I wouldn't want them any bigger at all. they're almost too much as it is.

 

It's true that the 16.5 inch diameter wheels have fallen out of favor in recent times, but tires are still available for them; you just have to search a bit. I don't know of any safety issues. Here's what I put on my 1976 F-250.
https://www.daresnd.com/firestone-tr...yABEgJ-nvD_BwE

 

Jason, is your truck a 2wd or 4wd? It's pretty odd that the front wheel size doesn't match the rear. Not to say it can't happen, it's just odd.

 

If you still have the steel wheels on your truck, it sounds like somebody may have installed Ford Super Single wheels on the rear. These wheels were standard on the rear of the Ford Super Camper Specials (and later Camper Specials) that were spec'd with the 10,000 gvw. Nothing wrong with the 16.5 wheels other than lack of options when it comes to tires. As already posted, Firestone still makes a decent tire for the narrow wheels. If you want to replace the 33x12.5-16.5 rears, those are a bit tougher. The only supplier for that size I could find was Interco. I recently purchased and installed them on my Super Single wheels for my F350 Camper Special but they were pricey!!! I paid the money as I wanted to keep the stock looking wheels but as others have posted, you might be better off going with 16 inch wheels (from an econoline) or go aftermarket if you want a cheaper and much larger selection of tire availability.

 

Hey guys.
Long story short, I have purchased bigger tires/wheels for my truck and now I need a 4" lift in the front.
It needed a lift anyways because the rear sits so much higher (Camper Special).
My question is, can I just put longer springs in the front, or is there something else that I need to do in addition to longer springs?
Sorry, I am new to all this.

 

I'm going way out on a limb here and guess that your truck is a 2wd, "twin eye beam" front suspension, etc ... & 4" of lift in the front is now needed? Before all is done, you'll wish you had kept stock size tires on it. I think it easier to bring the rear down closer to the front.

You ever see a bow legged clown walk on stilts? If you try raising the front 4" without bending or buying new beams, you will.

 

OK, thanks for the heads up.
I have a buddy who is telling me to just put a 2" body lift (for tire clearance) and then to remove one of the leafs from the rear to balance it out.
Does this sound like a better plan?

 

Sounds doable. I've not fooled with body lifts, but some do and are pleased with them. There are issues, chiefly steering, that need to be worked out, but someone else will pick up on that. It will change the position of bumper to grille. I have lowered rears by removing or replacing a block set from between axle and spring pack. My '77 is a F-150 4x4, but unloaded it sat high in back, more that I liked anyway. I removed the 3" tall OEM blocks and put about 1" in place, used shorter U-bolts, and eventually shorter rear shocks too (only because bump stop ears were removed with the 3" blocks). It still has some rake, but it's not so pronounced now.