SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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I guess I should have clarified that I couldn't find any suitable tires that I liked (radial all terrain treads), in the size and weight rating I needed, for 16.5" wheels. And I should have clarified that Fritz' and my SRW F350's use lug-centric wheels. 
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Matthew_B wrote:BradW wrote:Fritz,
Nothing wrong with aluminum wheels if they have the proper weight rating and you have the correct lugs and lug nuts. Also, some trucks require hub-centric wheels.
I can confirm that!
Post 1988, DRW Fords should have hub centric wheels. Les Schwab put lug centric wheels on my truck and one side of the rears came off after shearing all of the lug studs.
Ouch! I hope they fixed it for you!
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crazyfritz
Columbia, SC
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Thanks for all the help. I knew I would get it here. I am going to get more info tomorrow on the wheels when I see them. I am very skeptical though. I'll post what I discover.
SoCal,
I am back in South Carolina. We cut the trip short at three months but had a great time and learned a lot. We both had job opportunities arise. Christina as a spa manager and I got on with the railroad. I am manufacturing large equipment that builds and maintains railroad tracks. I also am up to my ears in ornamental work at my shop. I am putting in 15-17 hr days between the two. Isn't that the life of a welder though? Thanks for asking.
FRITZ
CRAZYFRITZ, Christina & Riley
Origin: Columbia, SC
1991 F-350 CREW CAB 4X4 SRW
460 GAS (BREATHING GOOD!)
6x12 enclosed hauler (mobile welding)
1989 LANCE LS9000
1957 CHEVY BEL-AIR
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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one thing that killed a 16.5 wheels were the very low angle tire bead seat flange. The 16.5 worked good if you kept the pressures up. Air then down for any reason and they were bad about popping the beads. They also worked poorly in a trailer position even at max pressures (side scruffing issues with the low angle flange).
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97Ford97Lance
Puyallup, WA
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Our 97 ford came with 16.5" rims. I had to get rid of them. I couldn't find E rated tires. I tired Les Schwab, Discount Tire, even TireRack.com. So I posted an add on CL for trade them for 16" Ford Alum rims. It worked. I got 4 of the Alum rims and he got 16.5" rim with 33" tires.
Good luck. Chris
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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As has been mentioned 16.5's are an obsolete rim size that the tire manufacturers are phasing out of their catalogs. AFAIK the only vehicles still coming off the assembly line with them are the military HMMWVs. The other problem for a 4x4 is that like all .5" rims there is no bead retention lip and thus they don't take kindly to airing them down for traction/flotation.
You would be better served in the long run by finding some 16, 17 or even 18 inch rims in the appropriate load range.
Of course of you won't be keeping your truck past this set of tires lifespan and are able to find some you like then go for it since tire availability down the road wouldn't be an issue.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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travelinglane wrote:I have the same size wheels and am running Firestone Transforce E-load range tires. Not overly aggressive tread, but decent for the size. Very quiet on the highway, which I like a lot. You have 16.5" wheels on the Tundra?
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Fritz, that sounds like a great job! Glad you're staying busy!
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covered wagon
USA
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BradW wrote:crazyfritz wrote:I found a nice set of aluminum rims for a great price they are 16.5 diameter. They have a 3700Lb rating. I am trying to find a set of tires that are all -terrain and E load. I checked a couple tire sites but i had no luck. It appears that the size is not popular or just not in an good aggressive and E range. Anyone come across it before?
Fritz,
Nothing wrong with aluminum wheels if they have the proper weight rating and you have the correct lugs and lug nuts. Also, some trucks require hub-centric wheels.
You also need to make sure the wheels have safety beads. Many 16.5 inch wheels do not.
Good Luck,
Brad
How can you tell or what do you look for to see the safety beads on Al. rims?
TIA
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BradW
Flat Rock, Alabama
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Here is a little info on the 16.5 safety beads:
http://www.4x4spot.com/16_5_rims_and_safety_beads.htm
Google 16.5 safety bead and you will find some more info.
Brad
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1996 Lance 500 and 2006 F-350 PSD 4X4 DRW
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