I plan on putting a 33" tire or equivalent on my 2002 F250 CC. What are the advantages and disadvantages between 16" rims and 16.5" rims?

 

I have 35" tires on 16.5 rims on my my 2000 CC. I am going to go down to 33" because I am tired of rubbing. I thought of going back to a 16" wheel, but in a couple of different wheel and tire combinations I looked at, 16" combos were actually more expensive.

Good Luck.

Murph

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Sep-02 AT 09:02 AM (EST)]The 16.5" rim has a tapered seat and the 16" had a bead lock. The 16.5" will tend to throw the tire off the seat when the pressures get too low, where the 16" will not. Also, the 16.5" will become extinct very soon, with even limited bolt patterns available now, so I would go with the 16". Also, in my experience, the 16.5" wheel/tire does not hold balance very well.

The equivalent size to a 33x12.50 in a 16" is a 305/70/16

 

go with the regular 16, these 16.5 don't balance worth crap.

 

I wish I would have went with the 16.5 just because there are alot more tire sizes available. as for it becoming extinct I highly doubt it, look at the sizes out there and how many people run them in the 4x4 market.

 

the last year for used a 16.5 was 1985. it might be awhile but the writing is on he wall for discontinueing.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Sep-02 AT 05:08 PM (EST)]The main concern that people have between the 16.5" and 16" rims is the issue of the tire coming off the bead with the 16.5" rim (as an above post mentioned). This will only happen if you are airing down the tire to a very low amount, which most people do not. Usually the serrious rock crawlers will air down to an amount where the tire may come off the bead. I have had 16.5" rims on the last two vehicles that I've owned and know may people who have them as well. I have never had a problem with them not balancing well. There are alot more options in tire sizes with the 16.5" rims, but if you are going to stay with a 33" tire size or even a 35", the 16" rim will be fine. Another post above mentioned the cost issue. A 16" tire/rim combo will cost more than a 16.5" tire/rim combo due to the 16" tire being more. For example:
BFG 33x12.50x16.5 $159
BFG 305/70/16 (33x12.50 equiv.) $200

Weld SS 16.5x9.75 $246
Weld SS 16x10 $237

16.5" rim/tire combo $1,620
16" rim/tire combo $1,748

So, the 16.5" is $128 cheaper and the tires (when you need new ones) will be cheaper as well. Personally, I don't think that the 16.5" rim/tires will become extinct any time soon. Hope this helps.

 

 

 

This might be oldest thread I have seen ressurected... 16 years... And you are honestly surprised 16.5" tires are hard to find? It is a dead tire size...