Rim compatibility

[mran613]

Hi,

I need a new 16.5" 8 lug spare tire rim for my 1987 Scottsdale V20 which is proving to be difficult. Can someone tell me where I can find information on what make and year rims will fit?

Thank you

 

[75gmck25]

If you just need a spare, and don’t plan to use it in a tire rotation, you can also use a 16” wheel and tire. 16” 8 lug rims are extremely common in the junkyard, and you just need to use a tire with the same diameter for a spare.

My truck originally had 16.5” split rims (hard to find a tire place that wants to handle them) and I switched to 16” 8 lug rims. 245/75R16E or 235/85R16E are usually the closest match for diameter.

 

[Rickf]

16.5" tires and rims can be tricky to come by. Maybe pick up one 16" wheel for a spare and replace the 16.5's as they wear out.

 

[dsteelejr]

I still run 9.50 x 16.5 on my ‘73 C20. Had to get them online and shipped to my house. Even though I found them there wasn’t much variety. Probably going to switch to 16” when these wear out.

I asked the tire guy at my local Walmart if they could get them. When I told him the size, “nine fifty by sixteen five” he says “uhh, I’m not sure what that is. Can you write it down?” as he push a note pad and pen towards me.

 

[Grit dog]

Agree, find a 16” wheel.
And if/when the truck needs new tires, scrap the 16.5 wheels unless they’re special. Even then it would be a tough call to continue running them.
Most any OE type 8x6.5 lug pattern wheel will work. All the old steel wheels from the big 3 mfgs, Ford up thru ‘97, GM thru 2011 and Dodge up to some current wheels.
There are a zillion options and all of them are arguably or realistically better than staying with a defunct wheel size.

 

[85K304SPD]

I have at least 3 sets of the 16.5 rims that I am not sure what to do with. I don't think you will find any new rims in this size. There is still a couple of tires available for them. I had to change to 16s.

 

[legopnuematic]

I had seen the other day a video of a shop knocking the centers out of 16.5”s, welding 1/4” (looked to be about that) plates to the center, remachine them to fit in 17” hoops (or shells).

Kept the looks of the 16.5 wheel while being able to run 17” tires. Width and offset/backspacing can be changed to whatever desired too.

Pretty kewl if you ask me.

 

[Catbox]

Yup.
I am another 16 inch convert.
No need for the weird size and dumb looks that way.

My truck came on a set of Ford wheels that have a better offset than some of the other options out there.

 

[Bennyt]

Only reason to keep 16.5's is if you can get military take off tires cheap. I used to buy brand new 35's/ 37's for $80-100.

 

[Old Guy Bill]

I ditched the 16s for 17s, I am going to use one of the 16s for a spare.

 

[RanchWelder]

Yah, the only issue with going 16", is every ranch horse trailer in world uses them too.
The odds of finding a good used one in a pinch are getting tough.
Especially during the summer when people and horses travel until the fall.
Spare 16" good used tires are like hen's teeth in the mid-west.

New are getting close to $250 for a good 10 ply trailer tire, let alone a quality highway tire.

The yards are scrapping all the 16" steel rims, so they will not sell them unless you are a certified repair or autobody shop, where I live.

Find a small town autobody repair shop and have them order you rims from the service database system they pay to be on, as a certified repair shop. They will have dozens of yards that will supply them what they refuse to sell you, in good to A+ condition, but only through your autobody professional.

They can order you wheels from yards all over the country, yards that will absolutely tell you they have NONE IN STOCK, if you were to call and ask.

The shipping is the issue. Get ready to pay a premium on a premium to what what you want in good OEM quality steel wheels.

The Russian aftermarket thin steelies seem to be missing from amazon these days?

YMMV

Old Guy Bill is way smater than you think... availability for wheels, check...
Tire sizes and ply ratings with quality manufacturers? check.
Availability of a good usable spare... maybe, if they are not poor quality returned warantee tires?
In a pinch, in a small town, when you need emergency rubber? 17's might be best?

What do you guys think?

 

[Old Guy Bill]

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Yah, the only issue with going 16", is every ranch horse trailer in world uses them too.
The odds of finding a good used one in a pinch are getting tough.
Especially during the summer when people and horses travel until the fall.
Spare 16" good used tires are like hen's teeth in the mid-west.

New are getting close to $250 for a good 10 ply trailer tire, let alone a quality highway tire.

The yards are scrapping all the 16" steel rims, so they will not sell them unless you are a certified repair or autobody shop, where I live.

Find a small town autobody repair shop and have them order you rims from the service database system they pay to be on, as a certified repair shop. They will have dozens of yards that will supply them what they refuse to sell you, in good to A+ condition, but only through your autobody professional.

They can order you wheels from yards all over the country, yards that will absolutely tell you they have NONE IN STOCK, if you were to call and ask.

The shipping is the issue. Get ready to pay a premium on a premium to what what you want in good OEM quality steel wheels.

The Russian aftermarket thin steelies seem to be missing from amazon these days?

YMMV

Old Guy Bill is way smater than you think... availability for wheels, check...
Tire sizes and ply ratings with quality manufacturers? check.
Availability of a good usable spare... maybe, if they are not poor quality returned warantee tires?
In a pinch, in a small town, when you need emergency rubber? 17's might be best?

What do you guys think?

I just like to explore all my options… before I screw something up.
These are available from a couple of different manufacturers in a couple of different sizes & styles.
17s just made way more sense to me as my late model truck uses them.

 

[gerhed]

I just like to explore all my options… before I screw something up.
These are available from a couple of different manufacturers in a couple of different sizes & styles.
17s just made way more sense to me as my late model truck uses them.

Those are the same rims I've been looking at, lol. what I'd really like to find is an OEM looking rim that'll hold my hubcaps in a 16" or 17' rim that's 8-9 inches wide. I'd love to keep that look.

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Those are the same rims I've been looking at, lol. what I'd really like to find is an OEM looking rim that'll hold my hubcaps in a 16" or 17' rim that's 8-9 inches wide. I'd love to keep that look.

They’re out there but really $$$ expensive… especially the 8 lug versions.

US Wheels - Rat Rod (Series 651) 8-Lug

US Wheel Corp - Steel and Aluminum Wheel manufacturer for Hot Rod, Muscle Car, Truck, Off-Road, VW, Trailer, OEM Replacement, and Import Performance.

www.uswheel.com

 

[gerhed]

Yeah, I went shopping and found some 16x10 in factory style, but like you said, they think a lot of them, way more than I do, lol. Honestly, I'll probably just look for some 33x9.5x16 mud tires. Those should fit the stock rims and I kinda dig the old skinny tire look.