Thesis: It appears that the 16.5'' wheel is dying out; a thing of the past.
Given this, what is the best replacement rim/tire size for 9.50 x 16.5 applications that will bolt on to three quarter and one ton van and truck hubs?

 

You should be able to get either 16 or 15 inch rims with the same bolt pattern.

Pros: 15" better selection
16" better load capacity
15" more economical
Cons: 16" expensive
16" thin selection
15" less load capacity

 

There are so many different tire sizes and styles available, it's impossible to say what's "best", especially without knowing what you are going to be using the vehicle for. Go to tirerack.com and have a look around. You'll probably find a couple hundred options.

 

You may also want to measure from the center of the spindle to the very top of the caliper to help determine wheel size. You should have at least 1/2" clearance for the wheel to turn freely.
Good luck....

 

Looks like I'll have to give up on my much loved heavy duty Jackman 16.5'' spoked rims.
I'm shipping my E-350 4 x 4 overseas [Africa] and don't want any trouble replacing tires.
According to the information at tiresafty.com., the strongest and most versatile tire would be in the LT-Metric class. It looks like 16'' is the way to go. Any objections?
Do any of you know if the front wheels that ''cup out' as used on a cutaway Van - like on a motor home - require special hubs and/or can be used on the back, ''cuped-out'' as well?
Thanks, but tirerack.com was a wash out. They don't even ask for the number of lugs.

 

You are talking about dually wheels. Dually equipped trucks use the same wheels front and back - and have different hubs to make the offset work out correct.

Before dumping the 16.5's, find out what is available in Africa. Who knows, 16.5's might be more common there, assuming an older vehicle fleet.

Until the the early 80',s Ford offered a choice of 16 and 16.5 inch wheels. You should have no trouble finding used 16 inch wheels.

 

I'm confused. Does your van have duallies? Our 4x4 E350 here at work doesn't.

Anyway, you should be able to get 16s on it. Make sure the wheels are rated for the load just like the tires. I'm shopping for 16s right now and many of the wheels available aren't rated for what the stock ones were (3000 lbs.) I am not going to put 1500 or 2000lb wheels on my truck.

If you go to the tire manufacturers web sites (like BF Goodrich), you can see what the various sizes give you in diameter and weight capacity in pounds. The C D and E ratings are equivalent ply raitngs and not a load in lbs.

 

No, the van does not have dualies; but it appears that I am talking about dualie type front wheels and using them on on the front and back as singles if that is possible.
I don't recall seeing a single on the back of anything [convex side out] and that was the root of my last post.
The requirement for different hubs that ludis pointed out will probably rule out dualie rims as too much trouble.
This will be my second trip to Africa and I know that load range E or above and steel rims are necessary. I just don't like the look of stock van rims and four dualie type rims, sandblasted and powder coated would have been OK.

 

Why ship the truck to Africa? Buy something when you are over there that is common and easily serviced and repaired.

 

A reasonable question.
The answer is that this van has been in 15 countries including a year and a half in Africa. It's custom built for me, is what I want and need and can't be purchased there.
I tried and failed to cross the Sahara for lack of an adequate chassis and running gear. I'm in the process of correcting that and have a lot of work ahead of me. I need help and will post a new thread on that shortly.