My 1984 E-350 ambulance has 16.5 inch wheels, 8 lugs. dually

tires are outrageous for it.

 

There is another possibility. Truck could have been special ordered with 16.5" wheels or they were purchased from the aftermarket soon after the truck was sold new. The 16.5" rim did not first appear on scene in 1967. It originally came out in the aftermarket around 1963. This photo shows a 1963 F 250 with the wide base 16.5" rims and they accept the original hubcap. It was the solution for more stability for camper pickups in the 60's and were offered in different widths. Ford finally begian offering their versions of the 16.5" rim in 1967.

 

This truck is a great example of the way many camper hauling pickups looked like in the 60's and 70's with the wider aftermarket " innie" 16.5" rear wheels and spare on front bumper.http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Ford-F250-Custom-Cab-Pickup-/301064726416?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D301064726416%26_rdc%3D1&nma=true&si=bbUu2rRPueg299%252BwPlO1366lcBU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

I'd like to challenge the idea that any 16.5" wheel was ever a tube type wheel. By definition true truck wheels having the __.5" designation have what is called a 15° rim profile. This profile was introduced in 1956 for use with tubeless tires. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the tube type, called a 5° profile, next to the tubeless 15°. The chart compares the 20" with 22.5" but the same comparison applies to the other matching tube type/tubeless sizes. Stu

 

This thread is from a Chevy forum, look at post #14. A 66 Chevy 3/4 ton was ordered new with 16.5" ( in this case it was a special order wheel in '66 ) Chevy, like Ford did not list 16.5" wheels as a regular option till '67.65 c20 wheel question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

 

Here is the period correct aftermarket Kelsey Hayes 16.5" F 100 wide base wheel. It is designed to accept innie hubcaps. IMO, these would fill the rear fenders of a flareside or '62-'63 separate styleside or F100 4X4 perfectly. Popular period tires would be 10-16.5" or 11-16.5". http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-5-034-FORD-RAT-ROD-WHEEL-RARE-1972-FLATHEAD-SMOOTHIE-JALOPY-CAMPER-SPECIAL-KH-/321434841392?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276

 

I'll bet $1 that nobody can show a factory '66 with 16.5" wheels.
Not to be confrontational, but...
Eric

 

I'm with ya, 6t6.......

I don't believe 16.5" wheels were available from the factory in 1966.
Yes, 15", 16", 17.5" wheels; but not 16.5" wheels in 1966.

BarnieTrk

 

My NWRA references show no 16.5" before 1967, and those are 8 x 6.5" pattern. For SRW applications they are K-H 73773/NWRA X-40235 which is 16.5" x 6", and Budd 84900/NWRA X-40361 that is 16.5" x 6.5". Looking for the above pictured half ton wheel with 5 x 5.5" pattern I find K-H 73774/NWRA X-45149 that first appears under a 1969 application reference. It is 16.5" x 8.25". Stu

 

THe 66 Chevy C 20 ( provided link)with full documentation shows it was special ordered with 16.5" wheels. IF a Chevy dealer could do this, a Ford dealer could do this. This is a simple Domestic Special Order, DSO, fellas. Shouldn't be to difficult to understand, just like the DSO 262 in '62 or '63 pickups, which does not show up in any sales brochures. Kelsey Hays was a supplier to Ford, had many wheels for all size trucks that could have been special ordered. Other wheel manufactures also offered these wide type pickup wheels, starting around 1963. This piece of Kelsey Hayes documentation dates back to January 1965 This should be enough evidence to prove these wheels existed way before 1967.

 

No question they were available. Makes me wonder why the wheel industry references don't reflect them. I'll dig deeper. Thx. Stu

 

Keep your dollar.

 

Fellas,
Here we go again with 'word understanding/interpretation games'.

I was referring to optional wheel sizes advertised in a 1966 FoMoCo F100/F250 sales brochures and could have rolled off of the assembly line with them. Additionally, such options would be covered by the FoMoCo warranty.

Tripleframe spoke of, "...period correct aftermarket Kelsey Hayes..." wheels. This is a different pail of worms......

Such wheels would not be included in the FoMoCo sales brochures. Sure, they were available "on the street" in 1966, and if asked, a dealer would install them for you on your new truck. But heck, in 1966, a dealer would practically install a spare tire on the cab roof if you asked them to. But rest assured, no 1966 F100/F250s ever came off the assembly line with its spare tire mounted on top of the cab.

Were 16.5" wheels available in 1966? Sure.

Were 16.5" wheels a FoMoCo-issued optional wheel? I'd still say no.

TF,
Was that fire truck outfitted with those wheels from FoMoCo?
I highly doubt it.
I'd bet more than a dollar that not long after leaving the Ford assembly plant, it went to a non-Ford coach builder who specialized in fire truck modifications and received changes/modifications there for fire service - which quite possibly included a change in wheels.

BarnieTrk

 

I recommend purhasing some Hildy books, instead of spending money on $1 bets. Any comment on the '66 Chevy in the link? Full documentation. 16.5" wheels were special ordered with the truck when new. Why wouldn't Ford do the same under the DSO program?

 

Tripleframe - I sent you a PM asking for help on some specs. Can you please check your inbox and let me know where to get the literature if you don't have it? ND recommended I contact you. Thanks -