I was asked, so a friend sent me some pics:

He says they are stock Chevy wheels...

are you sure they are not 16's . i have a set of rims from a 1ton 4x4 chevy that look exactly like that rim but they are 16". i'n mot saying they are not i'm just asking are you sure? :D

Yes, I am sure :rolleyes:

Originally posted by high5
are you sure they are not 16's . :D

16's have the bead seat surface perpendicular to the wheel's axis, like a 15 inch rim. 16.5's have a 15-degree seat, which is obvious in these photos. These are definitely 16.5's, and the first ones like this I've ever seen or heard of. Thanks DRM! :)

Originally posted by Lloyd
These are definitely 16.5's, and the first ones like this I've ever seen or heard of. Thanks DRM! :)

You are welcome :)


Sure they are ugly, but I plan to use a set of them anyway and convert them to beadlocks... And like I said, they are GREAT for making the steering work like it should with the tire over the knuckle like it was designed to be ;)

Id be interested to know how well that turns out. I assume you will be simulating or purchasing the rockstomper beadlocks and welding them on for an additional 1.25in(guess cant remember spec) width. What will that give you for wheel width? Those are 7.25in rims right? or are they 8s? Will that be wide enough for 42-15 swampers. I am looking for a way to narrow my track with a yj with a cab a chassis 14bolt thats 63in wms to wms. I would like to retain the stock shaft length but have it track as though it were a 60in wide axle.I also have a boat load of 16.5 rims laying around and might have some of those.Let us know, another wheel option is always welcome.

I just welded in 9 GA wire to make safety beads in my 16.5" wheels. Those puppys are on there. I'v aired them way down and never riped one off yet.:)

Yes, I will either be buying the Rockstomper, or trying to make my own version. I want a wide aluminum outer ring, so I may have to go the custom-by-me route....


I ran my 16" wide boggers for over a year on 9.75" wide rims and loved it. Yes, running an 8"-9" wide rim will be pretty narrow, but remember you have a LOT of sidewall height to work with there, so it should work well off road (my only real concern).

And I REALLY like the idea of the stock backspacing keeping the tires centered over the knuckle to take tons of the stress off the steering components and make it really nice to turn on any surface. :)

I have heard of some people putting a weld on the inside of the rim as a sort of safety bead???????? I am using some 16.5x9.75 in rims on my "new" one ton axles(tec), and some slightly used 36x12.50 hummer bias plys, and this might help me.

Originally posted by Scoutaholic
I just welded in 9 GA wire to make safety beads in my 16.5" wheels. Those puppys are on there. I'v aired them way down and never riped one off yet.:)

Please tell me you took pics before you put the tires on. So help me understand you took 9ga. wire and welded it on the inside to hold the back of the bead to the seat?Similar in ideas to the ring of a hummer wheel pushing it towards the bead?

Well I never took any pictures but it's a pretty straight foreward mod to do.
It's not like a hummer rim. The 9 GA wire is only about 3/16" or so in diameter. I just welded it in place where the safety bead is in 15" or 16" wheels. I used a vise grip C clamp and made a jig by welding flat stock to it and grinding it to fit the contour if the wheel. Then I cut a notch in the flat stock where I wanted the wire to be. Tack weld it every 6" or so around the wheel then weld it off complete. Only weld the side of the wire toward the inside of the wheel. Has to be a solid weld or the air will leak between the welds when you try to mount the tire and it won't pop over the wire. Takes a lot of air to pop it over but once it does it's on there good.
Put the wire in both inside and outside beads.
FWIW I highly recomend doing this for the weld yourself type beadlocks like the Rockstomper ones for the inside bead. Otherwise you will still loose the inside bead.
That only applies to the 16.5" wheels.
I hope this helps someone.:)

Originally posted by Scoutaholic
I hope this helps someone.:)

Yes, it should.. thanks :)

yes thanks alot.

DRM, do you have easy access to this wheel? Like out in the shop? If so can you make a measurement for me? Whats the back spacing on this wheel??? Thanks, Bob

Originally posted by Bob Levenhagen
DRM, do you have easy access to this wheel? Like out in the shop? If so can you make a measurement for me? Whats the back spacing on this wheel??? Thanks, Bob

Unfortunately - no :(

Those wheels belong to a buddy, and sent me the pics.

I went looking for some at the loal yard, but they only have a few sets of 16.5" wheels, and although they did have the nice safety bead, they were dually bud wheels :(

Not sure about backspacing - but for my uses, the more the better! 4.5" or something around there would be about perfect to keep the tire centered more over the knuckle and make steering a dream :cool2:

I may be able to get my hands on a set off a 3/4 ton Ford truck though - and if so I will be sure to get pics and exact measurements for the board to see.

DRM,

check your email.

Jason

No way...I was just digging through our old tire and rim pile and found a couple of these too.I even asked one guy if he knew about a 16.5 with a safety bead and he said that as far as he knew all 16.5's had none.Well I guess He's wrong,I'm gonna go out tommarrow and get them!:)

I am working to get he pics up that Eight sent me - give me a few minutes...

But as his pics verify - unfortunately - these rims are a puny 6.5" wide, with about 4.5" to 4.75" of backspacing :(

That means even if you add roughly 1.5" with a beadlock setup, you are still stuck with somewhere around an 8" rim. I am just wondering if that will work with my 15" wide 42" TSL's :confused:

Just threw this together a few minutes ago, but should cover the basics for now :) (please excuse any errors :clown: )


Defeating the Myth: 16.5" Wheels and Safety Beads (http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/16_5_rims_and_safety_beads.htm)

Originally posted by DRM
Just threw this together a few minutes ago, but should cover the basics for now :) (please excuse any errors :clown: )


Defeating the Myth: 16.5" Wheels and Safety Beads (http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/16_5_rims_and_safety_beads.htm)


I popped the bead on that tire yesterday to get thoose pics.
If you have ?'s I can measure or take more pics.

See, that works out great for me........

8" wide after the beadlock install and 4-4.5" of BS will work perfectly with 12.5" wide tires.

And like you said, used 16.5" tires are somewhat plentiful here.

Thanks for the info.

Charly