Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

16.5 inch wheels vs 16 inch wheels

Classic

List

Threaded

4 messages Options

Edward Michael

16.5 inch wheels vs 16 inch wheels

This post was updated on .

My 85 F350 has 16.5 inch steel wheels with mismatched tires and I am looking on CL for a set of wheels and tires to replace them.

Most of the posted Ford wheels for F350's are 16 inch.

What are the variables to consider on this change?

These 265/75r16 load range e tires and aluminum wheels with 5k miles are going for 400.
https://images.craigslist.org/00D0D_cnxdjmPCEHt_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_lQqLPEgJ9lI_1200x900.jpg

These are 800. 235/85r16 mounted on 16x7 f350 Steel wheels
https://images.craigslist.org/00A0A_aqLQccEHJHN_1200x900.jpg

85 F350 Crewcab 2wd 460 manual4spd
85 F250 Extcab 4wd 460 auto

Ford F834

Re: 16.5 inch wheels vs 16 inch wheels

Administrator

Main problem with 16.5" is the lack of tire options. Some guys want the 16.5 rims so they can run relatively cheap tall bias ply military tires, but most of us want more normal sized radials, and for that the 16" rim offers far more options. The steel rims I believe are 7.5" wide and are meant to be mated with the 235/85R16 tires. I like these a lot. The aluminum rims I believe are a bit wider.

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

Bruno2

Re: 16.5 inch wheels vs 16 inch wheels

The options are probably even more slim now that they have quit making the 16.5. That tire size was causing safety issues due to the tire being mounted on the wrong size rim too freqently.

I would just go 16.

Whitey: 1996 F 250 XL CCLB 4X4 7.3 DI ZF5 (The Work Horse) Lots of power mods
Whitey Jr: AKA Jr 1982 F 150 CCLB 4X4 351W C6 (Jr Work Horse) respectable power, but not over the top
The Bronco: 1987 Bronco XLT 351W C6 (needs work) Lots of off road mods and plenty of power mods
The Dodge: 2006 Ram 2500 CCSB 4X4 5.9 HO Cummins (The reliable ride that cant keep an AC in itself) (5th AC go around almost complete)

1986F150Six

Re: 16.5 inch wheels vs 16 inch wheels

Administrator

Didn't Mr. NumberDummy recently post that one way for a solution to this is to find a later model [2008?]Ford Van [E250 or E350?] and take the wheel and possibly tires? I believe he said the bolt pattern was the same [not metric].