First off, I am new to this board and new to these trucks, so thanks in advance for your patience. A week and a half ago I purchased an 86 F250 Supercab from down in VA (they don't really seem to have survived up here in OH). The specs (to the best of my knowledge) are as follows:

-1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 8ft bed
-351W backed by a C6
-Factory 4.10 gears in the factory TTB front and D60 rear (possibly w/ traclock?)
-~4" spring lift with factory blocks still in the rear
-35 x 12.5 r16.5 Wild Country RVT tires on Western Hurricane/Cyclone style wheels




Sunday on my way home from the local Pull-a-part (where I scored a near perfect tailgate trim panel to replace my busted and bent one) I managed to hit a 1/4" deep well socket on the interstate at 65mph. The socket went right through the tread of the tire and needless to say, the tire could not be salvaged. The tires the previous owner put on the truck are discontinued and I have not been able to find even one to try and replace the damaged tire. I am now stuck trying to figure out whether to buy 2 new tires to keep matched sets on each axle and keeping 1 tire as a spare, or buying 4+ replacement tires (my preferred option) and selling my current tires

I know the disadvantages of the 16.5 wheels and I’m familiar with what tires there are available (I’m building a Jeep that will be running H1 beadlock wheels on various Ford 1 ton axles). My purpose for buying the truck was to use it for truck purposes to haul things and eventually to tow my Jeep around once I get it back on its wheels, I have no intent of using this truck off-road beyond access roads. I really like the wheels on the truck and I’d rather not add the cost of new wheels to the cost of new tires so I’m probably going to stick with the 16.5 wheels. I have been sourcing and getting quotes on tires and here is what I’m looking at:

- Buy (4) new 35 x 12.5 R16.5 BFG AT K/O tires, keep one of my current tires for a spare, and sell the remaining 2
- Buy (5) used 37 x 12/5 R16.5 military take-off Wrangler MTs and sell all 3 of my current tires

The Wrangler option is almost half the cost of the BFG option (but will take several more days to acquire). I personally have had good luck with BFG tires on my Jeep, so I’m not interested in any hearing any BFG bashing. The truck doesn’t seem to have any problems clearing the 35s and I’m not really concerned about the 37s touching the springs at full lock, but I’m not ready to start cutting the fenders on this truck either. With a rebuilt 351W and the stock 4.10 gears the truck doesn’t exactly leap off the line but it moves along alright, I’m not sure how much worse it is going to get with larger, heavier tires.

Plans for the truck will eventually include a D60 front axle swap and something to get discs on the rear. Before I do any serious towing it will likely get a diesel instead of the 351. I don't, however, have any plans of turning this into a project for at least 1-2 years.

Just curious if anyone more familiar with these trucks has any opinions on which option (I’m not opposed to hearing reasonable additional options) to go with?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, and sorry for the long post.

 

Did they start making the 35/12.5-16.5 BFGs again? I know they stopped making them about two years ago when I needed them and couldn't find them. That was when I switched my Superduty to 325/65-18 BFG ATs.

The tire manufacturers are getting away from the 16.5s.

I would go 16s, or 17s. Yeah that means new rims.

I am glad I got away from the 16.5s. They never stayed in balance and rode hard. The one good thing I really liked about them is I got 70-80k miles on a set. They still had decent tread but were starting to crack pretty bad.

These 18s ride way better though and have a higher load capacity.

I did just check Discount Tire and they list the 16.5 BFGs. Hmmm. Oh well already sold the rims.

 

That's a nice truck and those are some cool wheels.

If you think the 37's would fit I'd get those. Hell I'd get some if I thought they'd fit my truck.

You could always look for 16 inch wheels on craigslist.

 

A standard 16" factory wheel is an option with one of the standard wheel covers of the era.

Standard white would not look good on that truck in my opinion.

Otherwise get the tires. BFG makes good tires, and been using them for decades.

When buying used tires, make sure you see them before they are installed. How much tread is left etc...

 

I had those tires on my 84 F250 years ago. They did good off roading and wear really good. Thankfully I keeped my stock 16" rims as the $$$ for 16.5 tires went up and now hard to find.


I'd stay away from used tires. Too many things could go wrong. I know, just spent $350 for new tires for my 89 F250 as the used tire decided it did not want it's tread even though it "look new"......

 

My $.02 would be go to stock 16" rims.

Also check with Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels

 

I won't tell you what to do, but here's my truck with the 37" military tires and 4" lift (front springs are sagging to the bumps so yours may sit higher)




Edit: Better picture for tires...

 

I have had the 37s and liked them. They are super cheap, have good tread life and are surprisingly quiet on the road. Have you though about the 37s from treadwright?

 

When buying used tires, always check the date code. 3 digit date codes are older than 2000. Any tire more than 8 years old, can have a sudden failure when used on the highway.
I've got a car sitting in my driveway on tires that date code to early 95. They may have well over 75% tread left, but they won't be seeing any use beyond a trip or 2 around the block, if that much...... I was actually a bit worried 1 of them might blow out while pushing the car in the driveway.

 

I imagine that eventually you probably will have to switch to 16 or 17 inch rims due to lack of options for the 16.5" rims. I'd get the 37's now and just watch craigslist and local classifieds for a deal on 16's. Chrome or black steelies would look good on that truck and even if you scored white ones you could paint them. A white set rattle bombed to match the gray on the truck would look real nice.

 

Why you should also change out your spare tire from time to time...

 

I would not go to 37's if you are a little bit disappointed in it's apparent power now. Larger diameter tires will make it even worse.

My truck has the non-turbo diesel with 4.10s and the same 35x16.5 BFG tires. It also has a 4 inch lift like yours. What do 33's look like with a 4 inch lift? If they would not look too bad, that's what I would like to change to to get a little bit more pulling power, and I am wondering if that is what you should do also if you plan on towing. But like I said, I don't know if they would look too small with the 4 inch lift.

 

I've got 2 cars from the mid 80's with the original spare "tire" in the back. Niether have ever been bolted to a car (not counting the hold down bolt), and as long I have my way, they won't.
But yeah, the spare is often forgotten completely, until it's needed. That's not a good time to find it depleted of air, and rotted thru........

 

I got 36 humvee goodyears there loud wear fast and ride terrible but great for general off road tire