2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission old f--- needs a little help

[vrwheeler]

I have a 1998 2500 4x4 Dodge long bed Im changing the rims and tires I have 33X 12. 50R 16. 5 ms on it now I use the truck for my 8' alaskan cab over camper What size rims and tires would you use if you were me I would not be changing them except 16. 5's are getting harder and harder to find. Thank for your time

'

 

[JR]

I would personally go to a 17" wheel if your looking to switch. Lots of common sizes available.

Probably the best thing to do is to price some tires in the size your looking for in different wheel sizes and see which size has the best selection/price for what you want to run.

 

[VolsFan]

17" rims might be more common now a days for tire selection, but for the braking systems on those rigs, it would be my preference to stay with a smaller rim/tire combo. I ran 285/75/16, on mickey thompson classic II 8. 5" on my 99 and they looked cool, but they ate up hubs and brakes, esp. with an automatic. I now have the stock 235/85/16 tires in BFG on my 01 3500 with 4 wheel disc, and I like the looks of them on alcoas, and the braking is amazingly better than my old truck, but this is just my preferance

 

[VolsFan]

17" rims might be more common now a days for tire selection, but for the braking systems on those rigs, it would be my preference to stay with a smaller rim/tire combo. I ran 285/75/16, on mickey thompson classic II 8. 5" on my 99 and they looked cool, but they ate up hubs and brakes, esp. with an automatic. I now have the stock 235/85/16 tires in BFG on my 01 3500 with 4 wheel disc, and I like the looks of them on alcoas, and the braking is amazingly better than my old truck, but this is just my preferance

 

[HBarlow]

I have a 1998 2500 4x4 Dodge long bed Im changing the rims and tires I have 33X 12. 50R 16. 5 ms on it now I use the truck for my 8' alaskan cab over camper What size rims and tires would you use if you were me I would not be changing them except 16. 5's are getting harder and harder to find. Thank for your time
'

I didn't know anyone was still using the old 16. 5" wheels from back in the late '60s early '70s. I had them on a '70 Chevy carrying a slide-in back in the early '70s.

I think I would continue using them as long as tires are still available for them for the lean stability they provided.

 

[jgillott]

Tire Rack lists a BFG All Terrain KO in that size.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...izeSearch=&width=33X&ratio=12.5&diameter=16.5

 

[JR]

17" rims might be more common now a days for tire selection, but for the braking systems on those rigs, it would be my preference to stay with a smaller rim/tire combo. I ran 285/75/16, on mickey thompson classic II 8. 5" on my 99 and they looked cool, but they ate up hubs and brakes, esp. with an automatic. I now have the stock 235/85/16 tires in BFG on my 01 3500 with 4 wheel disc, and I like the looks of them on alcoas, and the braking is amazingly better than my old truck, but this is just my preferance

True to an extent, but going to a larger wheel doesnt necessarily mean heavier. You can still maintain the same overall size tire while having less sidewall. For example you mention your 235/85/16, a 235/80/17 would be nearly identical in overall diameter but with . 4" shorter aspect which is . 8" overall. The shorter the sidewall the less flex you will feel in the tire and the better the truck handles.



With that being said there is probably more of a selection with a 16" wheel, it all depends on what your going for. I would choose my preferred tire size and make a decision on which wheel size based on availability/cost

 

[vrwheeler]

Thanks for the input it will b a 17 or 16 depending on the tire

 

[vrwheeler]

that has been the only place that Ive found 16. 6s Thanks

 

[vrwheeler]

O to be young again and look cool, Im looking for function thanks for the info on the brakes and hubs I had not thought about that, I need a tire that will support the weight of both the camper and truck. then a rim that will fit my truck, then ease in replaceing them on the road far from home if need be Thanks again for the info

 

[bry1216]

Les Schwab always has access to factory rim/hub cabs removed from vehicles. I would check out this for the cheaper option to begin, then review tire pricing.

 

[Bob4x4]

I didn't know anyone was still using the old 16. 5" wheels from back in the late '60s early '70s. I had them on a '70 Chevy carrying a slide-in back in the early '70s.

I think I would continue using them as long as tires are still available for them for the lean stability they provided.

The 16. 5 bead does not retain the bead as well as other sizes at low air pressures

 

[Cosmo]

My 86 Dodge had 16. 5" wheels.

My 98 has 16s, and when I have to replace these tires I'll probably stick with 16s.

On my 02 Dakota, there was a $200 difference between the 16" and 15" tires, which was enough to pay for a set of OE take off 15" wheels, so I dropped down to the 15.

 

[NIsaacs]

O to be young again and look cool, Im looking for function thanks for the info on the brakes and hubs I had not thought about that, I need a tire that will support the weight of both the camper and truck. then a rim that will fit my truck, then ease in replaceing them on the road far from home if need be Thanks again for the info

I would look for a set of OEM take off wheels in 2nd gen. 16's or 3rd gen. 17's and tires in about a 285 size, load range E, they will haul your camper and should be at most tire stores on your travels. If you buy aftermarket wheels, try and stay close to the factory offset.



Nick

 

[Road Dog]

I have a 1998 2500 4x4 Dodge long bed Im changing the rims and tires I have 33X 12. 50R 16. 5 ms on it now I use the truck for my 8' alaskan cab over camper What size rims and tires would you use if you were me I would not be changing them except 16. 5's are getting harder and harder to find. Thank for your time
'

The equivalent tire would be a LT285/75R16 or LT285/70R17. Either would be fine so it comes down to cost and personal preference. New trucks use 17" tires but I don't think 16" tires are going away any time soon.

 

[JR]

If you buy aftermarket wheels, try and stay close to the factory offset.



Nick

Very good point, hadn't thought of that. A set of wheels with too much offset can sure make a truck look goofy in a hurry, not to mention the added leverage on the spindles. Living in the rust belt, Iv'e seen people buy a cheap set of aftermarket wheels because they thought they looked cool compared to the factory wheels. A winter or 2 in the salt and they look like a snake shedding his skin with all the clear coat flaking off :-laf I kinda like the looks of the OEM wheels, especially on the newer trucks.

 

[HHhuntitall]

The equivalent tire would be a LT285/75R16 or LT285/70R17. Either would be fine so it comes down to cost and personal preference. New trucks use 17" tires but I don't think 16" tires are going away any time soon.

NOT to be argumentative, but the equivalent of the 33x12. 50x16. 5, is actually a 305/75R16... ... The 285/75R16 is spec'd to replace the 33x10. 50. A 255/85R16 is a 33x9. 00.....



I would think it depends on what wheels you want. If you're going to an 8 or 10 inch wide wheel in 16, I'd go with the 305/75R16. More air volume equals greater ride, combined with the width, which gives more road surface for handling, wear, and some added stability when loaded.



The 285/75R16s are the most common upgrade tire in the 16" rim size, and typically are 10-25% cheaper than their 17" equivalents, and more readily found, and usually easier to find in 10ply versions than their other 16" counterparts. The cost of 16" wheels is relatively low and there is a surplus of them available on the market. The 285s, again, would fit factory wheels more readily than the 305s, according to most tire manufacturer's fitment guides.



The 17" wheel size is currently more popular on newer trucks, mostly due to design changes in brake systems and clearance concerns. While I find nothing wrong with the wheel size, there are fewer actual tires available from as many manufacturers, although I couldn't exactly call it a shortage of selection... ..... The prices of 17" wheels and tires trends to be higher than 16", mostly, in my opinion, due to the higher demand of newer trucks and a somewhat smaller selection of available choices.



If you find a cheap set of whatever wheels, perhaps with tires, that would probably sway my choice, but otherwise, I'd go with the 16".....

 

[vrwheeler]

Thank you all for the input. Thats what I like about this web you have a question, Don't quite understand what your doing, go to the forums not only will you get answers to your questions but you find answers to questions you should have been asking all along. I don't know about other truck owners But I'll be sticking with my Dodge. Thanks agean

 

[jeepit]

I have a 1998 2500 4x4 Dodge long bed Im changing the rims and tires I have 33X 12. 50R 16. 5 ms on it now I use the truck for my 8' alaskan cab over camper What size rims and tires would you use if you were me I would not be changing them except 16. 5's are getting harder and harder to find. Thank for your time

'

What gears are you running? 3:55s could lead to some power loss with too big a tire. I have been looking for tires and want to move up to 285's but haven't made up my mind that it is the better thing to do. If you carring or pulling a load it is not a concern.

 

[VolsFan]

jeepit, thats a good point. I know the bigger tires prematurely wore out components on my old ride, but it had 4. 10 rears and it really helped to bring the rpms down. At 70 mph I would run about 2k rpm. Now in this 01, w/ stock size, 4. 10s, at 70 its going 2300-2400 range, I make sure I stay at 65 and lower. When it comes time for tires, I may consider going to a bigger tire just to bring down rpms on the interstate.