Well, that limits a lot of the OE wheels I like...great! I'm going to keep looking around.

Appreciate the response's Opossum.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Redroad, that’s pretty stand up of you. I have a big respect for people like you that willingly or sometimes reluctantly (but still do) help. I have meet and picked brains of many like that when I was younger and it was really an experience and an appreciation to have learned the real world experience. I'm 35 and I get a kick even when the younger come to me because they like my projects...or even the older to see what I am up to; bring back the memories.
I intend to repay the knowledge when I am up in years; it's the only way a true perspective and appreciation is passed.
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I think you missed this part of Numberdummies post ..
Example http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-E250-E350-ECONOLINE-VAN-FACTORY-OEM-16-STEEL-RIMS-WHEELS-SET-/200798562730?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec086e9aa&vxp=mtr

 

Redroad, I saw those...I was hoping for something a little more stylish. Oh well, I think I am going o rule out the OEM and find something aftermarket as the selection and fit seems to be better.

Any guess on what a GOOD tire size would be for me if I go to a 17X8" wheel?

 

IMO, 31's look pretty good on a 2wd truck with the same cab/bed combination that yours has. 33's also look pretty good. So my suggestion is 31x10.5 R17 or 33x10.5 R17.

 

use this calculator Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes
Put your current size in and then on the new tire just use for the "R" value 17 and increase or decrease until you match your existing tire size diameter .. look at this examples
245/75-R16 vs 245/75-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator

So to get the diameter to match I changed the 245 to 235
you can see how that works .. generally you could take your current tire size and change the r16 to r17 and have your tire size but whether your current suspension will allow the slight increase in tire height is unknown .. More then likely you'll be ok

245/75-R16 vs 225/75-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator

 

Well that chart was a BIG help!

Can I assume that the 245/75/16 is about the same size as the original 9.50 -16.5LT I have on the truck now?

 

If your using the same size tire on the 16.5 wheels "245/75/16", the diameter is what your concerned with, it is about the same
245/75-R16.5 vs 245/75-R16 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator

What size tires do you currently have on the truck

 

Well...I'm not sure. The exact way the tire reads is: 9.50R 16.5LT

 

To make it easy just take a block of wood and a tape measure out to the truck .. Put the block of wood on the very top of the tire with enough hanging out to measure to the flat ground and post back the measurement ..

 

Is there nothing in front of the 9.5? Usually there will be, so you'll have something like 31x9.50 R16.5

 

No nothing! I am going to have to measure. I just wanted to get a comparable to see what the size would be with the more common tire format these days so I can start looking at options.

 

On a side note those 16.5 wheels are worth something to the 4x4 guys because of these MT 16.5 37 | eBay
So don't just give them away .. In fact they may help you in a trade to the right person ..

 

Yes, they will probably turn out to be Craigslist item I'm sure...if someone needed them I'd be happy, and of course to recoup some $.

I matched up some sizes and I think the 265/75/16 will be my best bet...a little bigger and should lok nice on the truck.

 

Great !! now the wheels and your rolling