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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: elliott2509 on September 12, 2011, 03:02:07 pm

Title: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: elliott2509 on September 12, 2011, 03:02:07 pm

Just a quick question, I'm looking to upgrade my 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 axles to 3/4 ton ones , I was going to swap the entire axle assembly leaving me with 8 bolt hubs instead of 6's.  I also have a set of 36x12.5x16.5 Goodyear military tires that I can get for free.  Question is, how wide is the stock 3/4 ton 16.5" rim and will it hold the 12.5" wide tires?  I will be doing some offroading but nothing to severe, I wont be rock crawling or be needing to air down for any reason. I don't have the axles and wheels yet otherwise I would just measure the rims myself but that wouldnt tell me if it will work or not.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: Captkaos on September 12, 2011, 05:24:00 pm

I think they are 7" wide, but don't quote me.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: Da67goatman on September 12, 2011, 05:44:56 pm

Those military OZ are designed to work with the 8.25" wide beadlocks.  I would see if you can find a cheap set of 16.5x9.75 wagon wheels or similar they would work best with the 12.5" width.  i see them regularly for $100 a set in black or white.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: elliott2509 on September 12, 2011, 11:20:04 pm

Yeah I think I would rather be on the safe side than risk blowing a bead for no real reason.  now I just have to decide if its worth the cost to run them or just stick with the 33's.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: Irish_Alley on September 13, 2011, 01:33:35 am

also i think its illegal to run bead locks on the road, dont think cops would really car just inspection problems

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: bake74 on September 13, 2011, 07:10:14 pm

     Dagoatman is right.  Minimum for 12.5 is 8" if memory serves me right.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: Da67goatman on September 13, 2011, 07:25:24 pm

If the gov runs them on 8.25" wheels it must be ok, right...

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: bake74 on September 14, 2011, 09:56:51 am

     The goverment does not obide by the rules they set, they run bead assist on military vehicles.

Title: Re: 16.5 Stock Rim width?
Post by: Psycho71 on October 30, 2011, 02:42:43 pm

Do yourself a favor, do NOT run the 36x12.5x16.5 OZ tires if you are going to do any street driving.. They are bias ply tires and drive like crap on the street. I bought a set and put them on some 9.75 wheels and put them on my k20 burb. They have some outrageous bumpsteer. I had just rebuilt the entire steering system on mine and still had to fight to keep it in one lane of traffic. I found a set of slightly used BFG M/T's in 35x12.5x15 and they drive a WHOLE lot better. I had to do some grinding on the brake calipers to run the 15" wheels, but I like the radials much better for the street. I kept the OZ's for when i go play in the mud, but now I'm just going to relegate them to trailer tires for the M101A3 trailer I just bought.

If you want a cheap 16.5 tire that has good road manners, find the 37" OZ's. They are radials, have much better road manners than the 36's, and everyone who runs them say they wear like iron. I just didn't want to run that big of tire myself.

And FYI, the 8bolt H-1 wheels I have do not have beadlocks on them. They do have runflats in them, but no beadlocks.