CL parts finds

[FritzA]

The last 2 weeks have been amazing for parts on CL. My 77 C20 needs a fair amount of stuff so I've been watching.

Last week front bucket seats, sliders and console from a late 70s suburban....just what I wanted for my truck...$150. The seats have some tears and could use a recover but the color is light saddle like rest of my interior so I am happy.

Earlier this week, from a 79 Blazer, a chrome front bumper with gaurds and tow hooks in great shape...$75. Much nicer shape than my old beat up painted bumper.

Today a chrome rear step bumper $40.

There is a NICE set of 8 lug 16.5 slotted mags with usable BFG All Terrains on them.....should I get them?

Also last week was an unused repro drivers side fender cheap that someone beat me to.

Everyone must be cleaning their garages for winter.

[fitz]

There is a NICE set of 8 lug 16.5 slotted mags with usable BFG All Terrains on them.....should I get them?

Is this a trick question? Of course you should get them.
In my mind these are the best looking rim out there.

[Lt.Del]

i got 2 sets of 16.5 wheels.  I am steering away from 16.5 because fewer tire manufacturers are making 16.5 tires.   I went to 16 inch wheels.  You can get sets of 16.5's really cheap now because fewer want them.

[Lucky Jeff]

Just say no to 16.5's.... They are dying off for good reason.

[fitz]

Just say no to 16.5's.... They are dying off for good reason.

And the reason is?
As someone who has 5 sets of 16.5" aluminum slots I refuse to drink the Kool-aide.
No doubt that a few manufactures have drooped out of the 16.5" game, but there are still choices out there. I buy BF Goodrich all terrains for my trucks and they are still being made.
  

[VileZambonie]

Just say no to 16.5's.... They are dying off for good reason.

Yes please explain the "good reason"

If you get your hands on some nice shape old school mags get em. Every time I see a set for sale that's local I buy them and store them. I'll take those wheels over any crack daddy bling wheel any day of the week.

I think Fitz and I agree that we are addicted to aluminum slots lol

[Lt.Del]

i don't know what his "good reason" is, but, for my reason of taking mine off is the increasingly limited choice in 16.5 tires.  Face it, they are being phased out.  BF Goodrich may still be making the AT's in that size, but, 5 years from now?  I guess it's a personal choice, but, regardless of style, I won't buy any more 16.5 wheels just for fear down the road, noticing how the trend has been recently, the 16.5 tire choices no doubt will be even more limited in the future.   That's why I took my 16.5 outlaw 2 wheels off and got some 16 outlaw 2's. 
Why the industry is dissing the 16.5?  I don't know, i kind of liked my wheels--perhaps too close to 17's and 16's.  Now more vehicles are going towards 18 - 22 inch area with lower profile rubber.  Some things will have to be phased out to keep manufacturers gaining the highest profit margins.

BTW, nothing wrong w/ the slotted style.

[Lucky Jeff]

It isn't just because they are being replaced with bigger/better designs  . The lip design itself was a bad idea. It's not like the manufacturers are killing them off just to say "neener neener neener." But if you like the fact that options are getting to be fewer and fewer, then that's up to you. I'd rather run a 16, then a 16.5...

[VileZambonie]

No one is disagreeing that the 16.5" wheels are limited and not being produced by automakers anymore, just curious as to what the good reason you have is and you're saying it's the lip design?

[78 Chevyrado]

It's not like the manufacturers are killing them off just to say "neener neener neener."

I often feel they do that quite frequently...

[Lucky Jeff]

No one is disagreeing that the 16.5" wheels are limited and not being produced by automakers anymore, just curious as to what the good reason you have is and you're saying it's the lip design?

All ".5" wheels have the same lip, non bead (I can't remember where I found ALL of the info, but I did just read it again recently).. People like the 19.5's because they can run an H rated tire that can handle some serious weight. Though they ride like absolute crap when unloaded, so they aren't for everyone. It's easier for the tires to slip off of a .5 if air pressure is anything but max. I'm not dogging on the designs of the wheels. But the 16" wheel would be superior.. Although I'm still trying to figure out why people are hanging onto them with so much grip.. Do they only offer a certain design in a 16.5 that isn't offered in any other size?

[Lucky Jeff]

I often feel they do that quite frequently...

Well ok there is some truth to that 

[fitz]

 Do they only offer a certain design in a 16.5 that isn't offered in any other size?
[/quote]

Yes.
Like Vile mentioned, there are some great old school mags out there that some people just like over the new stuff.
It's just personal preference, but I just think that out trucks look great with period correct rims
that were available back in the 73-87 era such as the aluminum slots or the hurricane rims. I've never seen these rims made in 16" for an 8 lug truck.
Believe me, it's not that I'm stuck on the 16.5" size, you just can't buy these rims new anymore. If you want them, you have to find a good set of used ones. 

[bobcooter]

I just swapped out my 16.5s for a set of 16s. I can't find any decent 16.5 tires around here anymore. I user to buy Mastercraft tires which I found to be pretty good but no one carries them. I bought a set of 16 inch rims off of Craigs List . My company will pay for a set of tires so I mounted some Michelans. Rides way more better than it did with the Scramblers from Pep Boys. I still have nearly new tires on the 16.5s and they are now stached away for a rainy day. I kinda liked the white rim with factory hubcap look but now I'm chromed out! It was worth buying the 16 rims for a free set of Michelans. Looking pretty good too.

[fitz]

I just swapped out my 16.5s for a set of 16s. I can't find any decent 16.5 tires around here anymore.

What brand were you looking for. Like I mentioned BFG still makes 16.5" tires.