16 or 16.5?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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16 or 16.5?
I was looking for wheels and tires for my 92 f250 4x4 and noticed that all the tires for 16.5" wheels seem to be a lot cheaper for the same size or bigger tire. I want either a 32" or 33" tire that is a lot wider than the 235/75/16's on there now. I was thinking something like a 33x12.5 would be good but they usually only come for 16.5" wheels. I know 16.5 wheels are being phased out and the bead can pop off really easy. Ideally I want to stick with a 16" wheel but it seems a lot more expensive and tires dont come in the big sizes I am looking for. I dont know which to go with.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 104
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From: Osceola, WI
Go with 16's. Look for a 285/75R16. That's about a 33/12.5. Look in four wheel drive magazines for Maxxis Buckshot radials. They're mud tires that are pretty inexpensive. If you want to go to 37's in the future, get 17" wheels instead. There are getting to be a lot of 17" tires avaialbe.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
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From: Gilbert
Yeah, stick with either the 16's or the 17's if you can. I have 16.5's and found out (after the fact) that you can't air them down when four wheeling because of the way the bead is made on 16.5's. I've had mine for a couple years now and (knock on wood) haven't had any issues. I don't air down at all, if I'm stuck with 37's, then I shouldn't be there in the first place. ha ha. If money is an issue, go with the 16.5's, you won't be disappointed.
I 2nd lowboy's comments, if you can't find tires for your rims in the standard sizes, go metric.
I 2nd lowboy's comments, if you can't find tires for your rims in the standard sizes, go metric.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I had 38.5x12.5x16.5 Swamper TSL, ran around 15-20 PSI depending, never popped a bead. but only ran them for two years. But above posts are right. I was talking to some tire guys and they were saying if you're carrying a load the 16.5s will heat up more and quicker. I've got 16s on now, but just normal road tires, LTs they work well too.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 500
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From: Oregon
285/75R16 are more like 33x11.00. If you truly want a 33x12.50, a 305/70R16 is what you need. Bottom line is with a 16" wheel, you won't have bead problems, you'll be able to carry heavier loads, and it's a more popular size.
