i think the c/s and t/s and 140" WB trucks have a problem the wheels clearing the calipers. not sure if they have different brakes or not, i've never really checked into it that much.

I know when i bought mine, the guy made a point to say "these are the ONLY 16's that will fit on this truck" ... which means to me that he did a little trial and error before he found these that actually fit. I'm sure they arent the 'only' ones, but they are probably the only ones he could find.

 

As long as the bolt pattern, center bore and offset are correct there is no issue going with a larger set of rims, the trade off is of course you'll lose a little sidewall to maintain the proper overall height of the tire/wheel assembly. Not a big issue with the older trucks. 17s have a lot more tire options these days also, and prices should be similar to the 16.5s.

Personally I'd rather go with a 16 as they'd be less expensive but there is a question of brake clearance. You could get an approximate idea by checking how much clearance you have with the 16.5s, a test fit of a 16 rim would be the best answer if you can't find a definite answer online.

 

Most big tire wheel shops have seen trucks with 16.5 rims and know what off set will fit.

Tire for a 17 are easy to locate and cheaper, 16.5 are harder to locate and $$$$$ IMO

I would think a shop would test it for clearance to see if it hits when installing then stop and get one with more off set/back space.

All you have to do is a rim on install on one side. They must not want to sale there merchandise to bad.

meborder I think that guys statement was for explain for sure the rim size to tire correlation.

 

Any more pics of 295/50/15's floating around?

 

my stock steelie rim goes on dana 60 front no problems

 

just for fun i crawled under the front of my truck to look at the caliper clearance. at the edge of the rim i'd say there is a fat 1/4" to very shy 1/2" of clearance from the caliper to rim.

not sure what it looks like toward the inside, but i'm betting it is pretty tight.

i'd wager a bet that 16 steelies fit more often than not, but aluminum wheels probably won't, more often than not. I'd say, with the 3/4 ton and 1 ton's if you are wanting aluminum wheels, you had better plan on going to a shop for a trial fit before you buy a set of 16's. but the wagon wheels, or sawblade steelies will likely fit, tight, but fit.

 

I agree, but I didn't want hub cabs that say "Hummer" on my truck. I think they look better on 4x4s with the hubs sticking out.

As far as the 16" vs. 17" debate, here's my experience. On the 2wds, 16" aluminum will barely contact the bulges where the caliper bolts on. I ground mine slightly on my old truck and had no issues. The 17s clear just fine. The H2 rims have around 5" BS and they don't contact anything.

Steel wheels seem to clear much better since they can be thinner to get the same strength.

 

don't currently have pics but the list is as follows
79 250 mud truck 16.5X9.75 steel crome modulas on bald 38.5X14 swampewrs soon to be 42X14 swampers
79 bronco 8 lug aluminum american racing modular 2pc style 16.5X8.75 on bfg 35X12.5 ats, soon to be 37X13.5 hummer mtr surplus..
79 supercab stock 16.5X7 steels w/265X75s rollers (weather checked) will swap to a set of
16.5X8.75 aluminum slots (machine polished) with broncos 35X12.5 bfgs
79 150 trailer spec. 235X75 goodyears on 80s aluminum f150/bronco rims with red center caps
79 farm truck mismatched 33X12.5at/s on steel crome 15X8 five spoke stars
86 ranger 31X10.5 goodyear wranglers(walmart) on 15X7 aluminum sawblades
93 stang 16X8 boyds with 245X55 toyo proxiuos
i also have custom wheels on the travel tariler, car trailer and boat trailer.. never liked steel wheels except as rollers to get the truck in/out of thr garage or for haulling a taller truck on a trailer...

 

i thought i'd offer up the following picture for reference.

this is a pic of the back side of my 16" wagon wheels on my 140" WB F350 4x2. It is very tight, but it clears.

as others have said, i could easily see how aluminum wheels could create a clearnce problem due to the added thickness of the rim.

based on this, i'd say that if you want aluminum wheels on your truck that came with factory 16.5's, plan on getting 17's or trying a bunch out to check which ones will fit, meaning, don't order them online.