I understand all the stuff about popping beads because tires have been aired down on 16.5" rims and they don't have safety beads. I was wondering tho, just how low can you go before having to worry about this? I usually don't go any lower than 12 psi, so I was wondering if I'd really have any major problems.

Thanks!

How low? That realy depends on the weight of the truck and the type of driving and the terrain and blah, blah, blah.

Ive seen em fall off a full size truck at 20psi doing some mild trail running. The conditions to make the inner bead unseat get very broad on 16.5s.

Just keep a can of starting fluid and some matches with ya:D

Well that sucks! I was considering running them on the 1-ton axles I'll be putting under my TJ.

The lowest I've gone is 15 psi- mostly doing mud.
Never blew a bead yet

Not sure how much lower I would chance

Starter fluid- looks cool on the show but never tried it as of yet:D

I've gone as low as 10 psi on 33x12.5x16.5 running on 16.5x9.75 rims on my F-250 while going slow in the snow. I was with my club so I wasn't too worried about popping the bead as we had plenty of people to help. But those tires were getting mighty flat under the weight. Really depends on wieght and type of tire (Bias vs Radial) plus width of tire and rim.

Eric

I don't know the weight of my Jeep, but I am planning on running 38.5x14.5's on a 9.75 or 10" wide rim. I might just have to do like others have said and weld in a safety bead. Guess I could try it without the beads and see how it works out. Just trying to plan ahead.

I picked up a set of 16.5"x7" Chevy rims with the inner safety bead. I intend to weld in an additional bead along the existing safety bead as well as I got a set of Scott's ROCKSTOMPER (www.rockstomper.com) beadlocks to weld on the outside. The overall modified rim width will be between 8 1/2" to 9" wide when done. I am going to run 37"x12.5" MTs. I shouldn't have a problem at all losing a bead.

Not bad for a total investment of $450!! :eek:

tigger4x,

Any idea on what year or model those GM 16.5s with the bead came from?

I've heard some GM 16.5s have them and some don't.

I was hoping to just narrow down the search a bit.

Thanks.

Charly

Here's another solution:

Call up Wagoner Machine and get their 15" wheel disc brake kits for 1 ton axles. That way, you could run 15" rims on your 1 ton axles and not have to worry about that problem.

i ran 36x12.5 goodyear hummer tires on my 93 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 down to 8 psi. and never lost a bead but it was down on the brazos by mineral wells. but it was also on a 8k truck with a cummings and a utility bed and ranch hand style bumpers. i have had great luck, i have never lost a bead on any of my rigs. i live just north of aledo, small world.

I've bought and am going to run 16.5's Trail Ready bead-locks and 42's...Haven't run with them yet, but everyone I've talked to that has the TR 16.5 bead-locks say that inner bead pop's are rare. Typically it's the outer bead that let's go, and the bead-lock cures that.

I have to admit that I'm a little worried about it, but time will tell....If it becomes a major issue then I'll weld in a safety bead.

--D

Do a search - so recent threads prompted me to put together this little article that may be of some help:

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/16_5_rims_and_safety_beads.htm

So far, all I have found are 6.5" wide rims with the safety bead - if I can find a 7" wide one that would be great (same plan - gonna beadlock them myself).

Originally posted by K5KID
Here's another solution:

Call up Wagoner Machine and get their 15" wheel disc brake kits for 1 ton axles. That way, you could run 15" rims on your 1 ton axles and not have to worry about that problem.

or better/cheaper yet grind the calipers to fit 15" rims. easy as that :D

I run three pounds of air preasure in my 44 16.5 boggers my rig weighs 7000 lbs I have never had a problem 1... I welded a peice of round stock 1/2 inch thick on the inside of my rims for the beads to set on.
Your friend Sponge Bob square pants
:bounce2: :bounce: :bounce2: :bounce:

Originally posted by high5


or better/cheaper yet grind the calipers to fit 15" rims. easy as that :D

That would be a hell-of-a-lot of grinding if I found a Ford D60 Hi-pinion and running 4.5" backspacing. What would you suggest doing with the bleeder screw? :D :D

Originally posted by Outlaw99TJ


That would be a hell-of-a-lot of grinding if I found a Ford D60 Hi-pinion and running 4.5" backspacing. What would you suggest doing with the bleeder screw? :D :D

it wouldn't work with the dual piston ford calipers. worked like a charm on my chevy 60:D