OK! My old 9.50 x 16.5 Bridgestone tires finally have bit the dust. Went to Sears last week for new ones only to be told that the 16.5 tires are no longer available. Since them, I found out that only Firestone manufactures the Transforce 9.50 x 16.5 tire now at about $190 each. I could do that, BUT should I get 16" rims and have more tire selection available? And what would the rim size have to be? It's a 8 lug design. I'm sure that I'm not the first one with this dilemma. What has been done in the past and what works? What do my fellow enthusiasts think? Thanks!

1976 Ford F-250 (Heavy Duty) 2WD Stepside 4-Speed 360 V-8

 

Well I have an F350 and it originally came with that size tire too. It now has 245-75-16 tires on there. I didnt put them on there thats how I got the truck so I'm sure the original owner had the tires/rims replaced to have better options. There are so many kinds and sizes for 16" it only makes sense to change over.

 

I ditched the old ratty 16.5s and put on a set of 275/70R16s. The tires were low mile Michelins. The wheels are like 8 inchers. Lots more choices and lots cheaper.

 

Yes Sears doesn't make them 16.5's any more but there are tire manufacturers still out there, they are just $$$$$ I found a set of new 33x12.50x16.5 mudders $700 WTH!

Yes change to 16's and never look back, better and alot more tire options available. IMO

Nice rim choice there Gus.

 

Mine had 16.5 on them an I went to the junkyard an found a set of 16" for under $180 & Walmart & Tire rack an places have some cheap tires. I found out the 16.5 cost more an a lt of people say the 16.5 wheels are 2 wheels welded together an they have been known to come apart an kill people.

 

I got my Michelins from a Goodyear shop. They are prolly 65 to 70% tread left. they were off a Suburban. I paid $146 mounted and balanced for all four! They are a heavier C tire. Older Dodge 16 inch rims can be had cheap too. Here are a couple pics of those and my 16.5s on my Binder. Man, I know what you mean about expensive tires. 16.5 Aluminum slots arent cheap either.
Good luck and shop around. Good deals out there. Especially if you have cash.

 

Check out nebraska tire in the hot deals section. They have some for $139 and offer shipping.

 

Yea Gus I know what ya mean

 

those aluminium slots are KILLER!

 

Yea I know what ya mean, I found a set of alum slots and set of fins at a swap meet, both are 16.5, I pretty much stole them for what I gave for them.

Guess what that 35.12.50x16.5 BFG AT cost? That one is a spare I found for $5.00,
I found 4 used ones with 90%tread for $30 apiece about broke my arm getting my wallet.

I have 2 sets of ol style white spokes 16.5x9.5 for the mud truck, and my old set of
Dodge-it rims for what ever?

The black rims are HI Military HUMVEE magnesium run flats 16.5 they came with rims and 4 pretty much new bias ply 36x12.50x16.6 Goodyear Wrangler MT II's. Now on mud truck.

The new Mil HUMVEE tires are a radial 37x12.50x16.5 Goodyear Wrangler MT, if you can find them they are cheap to get from DRMO sales.

The 1/2 ton red fin rims are going on a 79 Red cab with black flat bed project. I am interested in those Eagle Alloy 101B for something different.

 

I have a 76 F-250 2wd with 9.50x16.5's. I bought a set of 16" wheels to swap out but had to turn around a sell them because they would rub the dual piston HD brake calipers while driving. They went on OK without touching when sitting still. Now, I'm looking for some used 17" 8x6.50 bolt pattern wheels. I really don't want to buy new ones if I can find good used wheels. Just a heads up.

 

Depending on the off set or backspacing you might have to do just a bit of grinding on the caliper. The problem you had is common and that is a common practice to fix it.

According to alot of people on here, you can use 16's you just need to get a rim with the correct backspacing especially on the front.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll break out the ruler to figure out what backspacing I'll need. Of course 95% of people selling rims do not know/advertise the backspacing. I have a set of finned magnesium and aluminum "bullet hole" 16.5x8 x8x6.50 wheels I'm going to see which ones look better on my 76 F-250 and just look around for some used tires or go ahead and buy a set of BFG A/T's 33x12.50x16.5. Thanks again.

 

When you find a set just tell them how to get you the info you need, if its a craigslist deal. Or teach a kid something new at the tire and wheel store.

Used tires could be as much as new, since 16.5 are getting hard or $$$ to acquire.

Remember to post up some pics, we all love pics.

 

I'm having the same problem as the OP. I called Nebraska Tire as they are close to me. They now want $150.00 per tire. Shipping is $20.00 per tire. And the kicker is they are Bias Ply...........