I have a 1978 F250 and need new tires because they are cracking/deteriorating. The size is 9.5r 16.5 which are tough to find \AND expensive. It almost seems more cost effective to buy lets say a 16'' rim and then get a tire size I can relate to (275 80 16) or whatever. I know someone has done this, but I need to make sure the bolt pattern is the same. Is it 6.5'' (165.mm)? I see a lot of 8 lug x 170mm out there, but those won't work right? Any recommendations for an inexpensive alternative? PLEASE HELP - I want to get this beauty on the road, but it just isnt safe.

 

You want the 8 X 6.5". Ford changed to the 8 X 170mm in I think, 1999. I made the change to a 16" wheel on mine as well. I am running 265/75R16.

 

I am in the same boat. I have the 16.5" tires and it really limits what tires you can buy. I don't want a custom wheel look, but I don't know what other options there are other than find some 16" OEM optional mag or white spoke wheels and most of those are not 8x6.5.

 

The Vans with 8 lug used the standard pattern longer.

 

BF Goodrich makes a 16.5 all terrain tire....
i just bought a 35x12.5x16.5 from them for my 1978 F250...

 

Thanks for all the input. I don't have a problem with changing over to a non-stock 16'' size, in fact I think that's what I will do so I can shop around being the frugal SOB I am. Does anyone know where to get the older 165.1mm 8 lug bolt pattern on a 16'' rim though (I almost made the mistake of buying some 170mm rims/tires on Craigslist)? Also, I don't want to get an oversize offroad tire like 33'', etc. I want to stay with the current overall diameter which is about 29'' or 30''. Thanks again!

 

I just put four Cooper radial 9.50 X 16.5's on my 1978 F250 and it cost me $700. Decent 16" tires with a similar load range and equal ply's would have saved me about $150. I could find some used rims, and break even, or save some money by finding used 16"ers which are far more common.

I love 16.5's; they are just sturdier than the 16"s. I also find that the sidewalls are thicker on the 16.5"s, which is nice.

 

i had to buy 33's for my wheels which were 16.5, and they were too big for the stock 2 wheel drive. i ended up going with 17 inch cragar wheels to find a tire size i liked. the 33's i had ended up being just 200 bucks cheaper than the wheel and tire package i have on it now.

 

Ok.... ford used 6.5 x 8 lug up til 97 on obs style trucks...the superduties use 170mm x 8 on srw trucks and 200mm x 8 on drw trucks. Dodge is another manufacturer to use 6.5 x 8 and i think they still use them presently which means you can get 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 inch rims maybe even 22's. Now using dodge rims you may have to trim slightly as the hub may not be exactly the same as fords but im not absolutely sure of that.

Ken

2008 F150 FX4

 

2wd or 4wd?

Are you looking for "big" tires or something closer to the 9.50R16.5's?

 

What's with all the dislike for the 16.5s? Just that its harder to find? Or more expensive? Or both? Mine has 16.5s on it, and the tires are dry rotted so I'm wondering what I should do when I replace them.

 

16.5 size tires are getting harder to find, and expensive as well. When I got my Crew it needed new tires. It was cheaper to buy new 16 inch wheels and tires than just 16.5 tires. Plus, if you're ever away from home and ruin one, 16s are much easier to find.

 

for a replacement for 9.50-16.5, try a LT235-85R16 or LT265-75R16 both are around a 31.5-32 inch diameter tire and the 235 10 ply is good for 3042 lbs per tire and the 265 in 10 ply is good for 3400 lbs per tire so weight wise it will carry as much or more than a 16.5 and you can also get the 265 in 8 ply and 6 ply for more of a daily driver as opposed to a hauler

Ken

2008 F150 FX4

 

Firestone makes a steel belted Transforce HT 9.50 x 16.5 truck tire 10 ply and the cost is around $165 per tire. That's about the going price for any truck tire. Might check it out if you want to keep the 16.5's.

 

Firestone makes a steel belted Transforce HT 9.50 x 16.5 truck tire 10 ply and the cost is around $165 per tire. That's about the going price for any truck tire. Might check it out if you want to keep the 16.5's.