I've been running 33x12.50x16.5 tires on both of my F-250s for years, but its time to replace the tires on my '92. The selection of 16.5 tires is very limited so I'd like to switch to 16s on one of the trucks so I have a better tire selection. The '84 has about 1/2 tread left so I would like to put those wheels on the '92 and put new 16x10 rims with 305/70/R16 tires on the '84. Assuming there are no clearance issues between the rims and calipers, I'm hoping this combination will work. Here's my dilemma:

None of the tire stores near me stock 305/70/R16 so I cannot physically see one before ordering. Based on tire size calculators, this is the closest metric equivalent to the 33x12.50, correct? As I understand it is about 1/2" narrower, but according to tirerack.com's tread width specs, the BF Goodrich Mud Terrains I'm looking at only have 8.7" of tread width. I have a Tuff Country 2 1/2" lift in the truck and I'd like to stay as close as I can to the 33x12.50s without going bigger or narrower. 315s would probably fit but I'm afraid they would fill up the wheel wells too much and wouldn't look right without more lift. Can anyone verify the 305 on a 10" rim will look the same as my current 33x12.50s?

 

305's are the closest you can get to a 33x12.50, 315's are the same as a 35x12.5. It is a trend now on all new tires, metric or not to have narrower tread widths, no matter what the sticker says. They ain't makin' them like they used to. You will have a much larger selection if you make the switch.