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After giving it more thought, I'm leaning toward sticking with 16.5s. The ability to install/mount/seat a tire and a TWF PVC bead-locker onto 2-piece hummer OE steel wheel in my driveway (without a tire shop or ether/fire) is a definite benefit.

Current thought is to find a set of (5) 24-bolt H1 wheels and some newer 16.5 tires. The question is whether the supply of surplus 16.5 tires is going to dry up in the near future.

If I move to 16 or 17, I would either need to find an unusual/custom backspaced wheelset, have custom wheels made, or start changing driveline parts (convert front hubs to SRW, etc). I don't think I want to change driveline stuff because I'll end up upgrading brakes, buying parts I probably don't need, etc.

I know this isn't a new issue, and I'm not reinventing the wheel. Does this sound right or am I forgetting something?
 
I personally don't have a problem with 16.5 tires and currently have a set for my truck but it is worrying that the only new tires I might find in few years are $700 each swampers or something similar. For the cost of 5 16.5 wheels/tires/inserts you could probably luck into a used tire changer and a set of newer ram wheels/tires and the tire changer will work for more than 1 truck. The back spacing deal isn't huge difference or you can have the drw hubs turned down up front to srw.
 
Lucasd2002 said:
After giving it more thought, I'm leaning toward sticking with 16.5s. The ability to install/mount/seat a tire and a TWF PVC bead-locker onto 2-piece hummer OE steel wheel in my driveway (without a tire shop or ether/fire) is a definite benefit.

Current thought is to find a set of (5) 24-bolt H1 wheels and some newer 16.5 tires. The question is whether the supply of surplus 16.5 tires is going to dry up in the near future.

If I move to 16 or 17, I would either need to find an unusual/custom backspaced wheelset, have custom wheels made, or start changing driveline parts (convert front hubs to SRW, etc). I don't think I want to change driveline stuff because I'll end up upgrading brakes, buying parts I probably don't need, etc.

I know this isn't a new issue, and I'm not reinventing the wheel. Does this sound right or am I forgetting something?
Click to expand...

I don't see an issue with your idea. It's kinda too bad though, as those alcoas look good.

Are you planning on wheelin it? Or more of a street, dirt road rig?

Also, if you want 17s or 18s, look at newer dodge wheels most should be 8" wide and have a lot of backspacing.
 
Interco makes the Trxus mt in 37" and the Vortrac in 35" for 16.5.

And 17" H2 wheels would be close, but would move the tire out a tick.
 
Theyve been saying 16.5 are dieing out since i bought my first truck in 1999. More options now than ever before, just depends on the style of tire you want than anything else.

2nd the 3rd-4th gen dodge option for 17" + wheels.

Dont forget that 24b h1s have 38" tires but i forget exactly what they are. Possibly mtr's
 
irate4x4.com

Traction Off Road - 17x9 Friction Double Beadlocks

I started my own wheel company. :grinpimp: Introducing the flow formed 17x9 Friction Double Beadlock. 17x9 with 4.5" Backspacing. We can customize your wheels however you like. The base wheel has a diamond machine finish. We can powder coat, paint match, mirror shine, brushed finish, and just...
irate4x4.com irate4x4.com
These are nice wheels and open up more tire choices.
 
total newb said:
Theyve been saying 16.5 are dieing out since i bought my first truck in 1999. More options now than ever before, just depends on the style of tire you want than anything else.

2nd the 3rd-4th gen dodge option for 17" + wheels.

Dont forget that 24b h1s have 38" tires but i forget exactly what they are. Possibly mtr's
Click to expand...

What 16.5 options are actually available these days in 36-38" flavors?

Besides the remaining Interco tires (that are also drying up and supply is uncertain), there's not much else that's on the commercial market that I could find. Surplus tires are uncertain and age is always an issue. New military spec HMMWV tires are $800/ea which is not feasible.
 
ridenby said:
irate4x4.com

Traction Off Road - 17x9 Friction Double Beadlocks

I started my own wheel company. :grinpimp: Introducing the flow formed 17x9 Friction Double Beadlock. 17x9 with 4.5" Backspacing. We can customize your wheels however you like. The base wheel has a diamond machine finish. We can powder coat, paint match, mirror shine, brushed finish, and just...
irate4x4.com irate4x4.com
These are nice wheels and open up more tire choices.
Click to expand...

Ya, if he wants to run wideload signs :laughing:
 
total newb said:
Theyve been saying 16.5 are dieing out since i bought my first truck in 1999. More options now than ever before, just depends on the style of tire you want than anything else.

2nd the 3rd-4th gen dodge option for 17" + wheels.

Dont forget that 24b h1s have 38" tires but i forget exactly what they are. Possibly mtr's
Click to expand...

I don't know I'd say more options. You can't go to what ever tire shop and grab a set of 31-35 tires.

About anything interco sells is junk for street use and pretty over priced. Pit bull stuff is decent, but expensive and hit and miss on supply.

Surplus stuff should be good for a bit. Plus they're was a new China mt available last I remember.
 
I really wish someone like BFG would step up and start making their 16.5's again 31-33-35-37 would satisfy almost every 16.5 guy out there for normal street use trucks, maybe 10.50 for the 31 and 12.50 for the rest. The play toy crowd still has interco. Really wanted to see that cobalt come out looking just like the old radial hawgs but no luck.
 
350TacoZilla said:
I really wish someone like BFG would step up and start making their 16.5's again 31-33-35-37 would satisfy almost every 16.5 guy out there for normal street use trucks, maybe 10.50 for the 31 and 12.50 for the rest. The play toy crowd still has interco. Really wanted to see that cobalt come out looking just like the old radial hawgs but no luck.
Click to expand...

Don't hold your breath. I think even the most stubborn old ducks have ditched 16.5s. I can't even remember the last time I saw 16.5s that wernt H1 wheels and tires.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Don't hold your breath. I think even the most stubborn old ducks have ditched 16.5s. I can't even remember the last time I saw 16.5s that wernt H1 wheels and tires.
Click to expand...
I think more people would run H1s if there were good tire choices below 37.

H1s are a great cheap double beadlock that fits well on pretty much any less than fullsize rig that's running fullsize pickup axles. Most of those people want 31-35 tires
 
arse_sidewards said:
I think more people would run H1s if there were good tire choices below 37.

H1s are a great cheap double beadlock that fits well on pretty much any less than fullsize rig that's running fullsize pickup axles. Most of those people want 31-35 tires
Click to expand...

If someone is running wontons under something that isn't a fullsize, I'd wager that they want 37+ and more like 40+ tires for wheeling. Few people axle swap their daily drivers or work trucks that only see street use.

The hard part now is that besides H1 wheels, 16.5 is functionally obsolete. It sucked in most situations for off-road use with the lack of a safety bead on most wheels and those of us who ran it back in the day ran stupid narrow wheels to keep beads on at even moderate pressures. Had I known about the Gorilla Tape trick 20 years ago maybe that would have helped.
 
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