33s on 2wd?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
87
Reaction score
168
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Just wondering if any of you are running 33 12.5 tires on a 2wd and how you like them. Rubbing issues? Metric 33s?

Pictures would be awesome!

I have a 3/4 ton that has been leveled up front an inch or two. I’m thinking about going another two inches.
Thanks in advance!
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,449
Reaction score
28,371
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I've run many tire sizes on my C20 Suburban. I've run 285/75/16 all the way around, on GM 16x6.5" wheels. I've run 33x12.5x16.5 on the rear, on 9.75" wide wheels. I've run 12.00x16.5 (very similar to 33x12.5x16.5's) all the way around, on 9.75" wide wheels. I've also run 35x12.5x16 all around, on 8" wide wheels. I had to trim my rusty fenders to clear the 35's though.
 

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
87
Reaction score
168
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I thought about running 35s but wasn’t sure if I wanted to do any fender trimming. Pretty sure I’ll go the 33s route now that I know the will fit. Just can’t find tires for my 16.5 mags so new rims will be first.
Thanks for the reply
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,449
Reaction score
28,371
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Here are the 12.00x16.5's which are very close to a 33x12.5 tire.

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
87
Reaction score
168
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
You have a really nice rig, bucket!
That is the exact look I’m going for!
Can you still buy those tires? I know almost everyone (if not them all) have stopped making tires for 16.5 rims.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,449
Reaction score
28,371
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
You have a really nice rig, bucket!
That is the exact look I’m going for!
Can you still buy those tires? I know almost everyone (if not them all) have stopped making tires for 16.5 rims.

There's still quite a few 16.5's available, but only a small handful of radials. I believe Interco still offers a 33x12.5x16.5 in their Vortrac model, which I've heard is a pretty decent tire.

As far as the 12.00x16.5's go, it seems to be a dead size for light truck use. There's a couple steer type tires, but only one traction type tire (STA, Specialty Tires of America) and it seems to go in and out of production.
 

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
87
Reaction score
168
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I’ve thought about those Interco tires but if I’m remembering right they are somewhere around $450 a tire. Unfortunately I think new rims are in the near future as my tires have cracks all over them. 20 years of sitting in the weather doesn’t help much. I just hate taking the mag wheels off that are currently on it
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,449
Reaction score
28,371
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I’ve thought about those Interco tires but if I’m remembering right they are somewhere around $450 a tire. Unfortunately I think new rims are in the near future as my tires have cracks all over them. 20 years of sitting in the weather doesn’t help much. I just hate taking the mag wheels off that are currently on it

Are they slotted mags? If so, US Mags makes an old style slotted mag, in 8-lug, but in a 17" diameter. They are either 9 or 10 inches wide, can't remember. I've never seen a set in person yet, but they are on my "wish list".
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,197
Posts
951,357
Members
36,328
Latest member
snooter
Top