16.5" to 16" Wheel conversion: 1969 f250

[vance-longwell]

1969 f250 front-disc-brake 16.5" wheels

I must admit that I'm always at a loss when it comes to my '69 f250, and tires. It's simply astounding, and yet, never a peep about it, anywhere. I've been researching this problem for years. Decades, in fact. I just don't get it. I've had limited, to no, selection of 16.5" rubber on these things for 30 years, for Pete's sake. And white pot-metal wagon-wheels from the aftermarket are getting so old. Moreover, most 3/4 ton wheels are sold to 4x4 folks, and the wide, uniform widths don't do anything for me and my 2WD. Is it a crime to want a little more meat on the drive wheels? Hehe.

I'd love to go to 16" Ford, but they don't clear the front brake caliper. I'd go 18", but for a 3/4 ton, all the aftermarket is aimed at fourbys, and the wheels simply don't look well on a 2WD.

I swear, I'm going to go into business manufacturing wheels and tires for these things. 1.4 million of them titled in the U.S., not to mention all the collectibles which aren't driven. And not once in 43 years has there been more than 1 or 2 tires available for this truck, and precisely zero decent aftermarket wheels.

By the way, I'd just buy a half-ton before I'd convert any of the running gear on my three-quarter.

[Calfdemon]

They are out there, its just that because they are not in high demand, most of your local shops will not stock them because they take up shelf space and dont move fast enough. TireRack.com has several different sizes of 16.5 tires.

These are the ones I will be running on my crew cab: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... 4x012-tire

Both Sears and Discount Tire Direct also carry 16.5 in tires. The only real problem with 16.5 tires is the limited size availability as you really are not going to find anything smaller than 33" tires. But luckily for our trucks, the 33" tires fit fine under a stock F250 and F350. I ran them on my 72 F250 as well.

[Kurt Combs]

I run 1986, or there abouts, Ford 16" stock rims on my 72 F250 with disc brakes. You could run stock Ford on the front and get some custom Wheel Ventiques for the rear that are a little wider. My biggest issue with 16" Ford rims is that they are lug centric and most shops can't balance the tires correctly.

[colnago]

Vance,

Can you put spacers in? I'm hoping to put 16" alloys on my '67 F250 in a few years, and didn't think that I'd be having any clearance issues. Something to look into before I dive in, though.

Kurt,

Did you ever fix your tire issues?

Joseph

[ezernut9mm]

i used 16 accurides from the junk yard. up to 96 on trucks and into the 2000s on vans. then i bought some 245/75-16 firestone radials. rode out real good.

[Kurt Combs]

Joseph, I sort of solved the problems with wheel balance. I got them pretty well balanced at a local shop and thought that if I installed new Michelin tires it would be really smooth again, wrong. I am going to go back to Costco soon and have them rebalance the Michelin tires and see if they can take the bounce out of these tires. After $900 for new tires I would like to at least get back to where I was with the MasterCraft that I took off.

[67 Camper Special]

Google "Stockton Wheel". They will build you whatever you want. Prices are surprisingly not all that bad and the sets I bought from them in the past were perfect. I plan on doing the sam thing with my 67 Camper Special, 10/11 inch on the back and a couple less on the front.

I have to research tires first.

Larry

[ezernut9mm]

i paid 17$ a wheel for those stock ford wheels. can't beat that. i had not a problem getting the firestone transforce tires balanced. check them out. they are a favorite of fleets.

[4F250s]

i used 16 accurides from the junk yard. up to 96 on trucks and into the 2000s on vans. then i bought some 245/75-16 firestone radials. rode out real good.

[ Image ]

[ Image ]

Looks good. I went with a similar set of late model steel wheels for my 69 Camper Special, but I went with 265 75 16s.

[GIJoe4500]

16s should clear the calipers. If they don't, grind your calipers down a little bit until they fit. It isn't going to hurt anything. A buddy of mine has a set of 15s on his f350 dana 60 front axle. He has to grind the caliper a bit, but not enough to worry about it. There is plenty of meat there, you shouldn't have any problems.

[vance-longwell]

Thank you folks so much for the posts! I apologize, I didn't expect to see any.


I honestly had never thought to modify the front brake calipers for clearance of a 16". Brilliant. Can't imagine why I never thought of it.

[Madman]

Did you try Les Schwab? I use to order mine through them...

[vance-longwell]

Vance,

Can you put spacers in? I'm hoping to put 16" alloys on my '67 F250 in a few years, and didn't think that I'd be having any clearance issues. Something to look into before I dive in, though.

Kurt,

Did you ever fix your tire issues?

Joseph

Hi Kurt! Jeez, I spaced this post off, as I've mentioned repeatedly, and have missed so much good info. I'm having difficulty picturing how, "spacers", could be deployed in a way that would solve my/our problem.

The truck I'm driving, a 1969 f250 Custom Cab with the Camper Special option package, has gianormous, twin piston calipers for the front disk brakes. I don't have the exact dimension at hand, but these calipers are HUGE! With stock wheels, there is perhaps 1/4 inch of clearance between the inner part of the wheel, and the top and bottom of these calipers.

The fella up there saying he's put later model sixteen inch Ford-lug-pattern wheels on his truck, obviously has drum front brakes, half-ton front running gear, or some other different set up than I have. I've had dozens of sixteen inch wheels on this truck at this point, and not a one has cleared the brake caliper. Can't even mount the wheel in most cases.

I'm having a set of alloy wheels re-machined on the inside to accommodate my needs. Big pain in the rear, but fortunately I live in an area where getting small run machine work done is fairly easy.

[Bill Ramsey]

I have a 69 f250 camper special with disc brakes and put stock ford 16" wheels on with no problems.

Also, I put 265/75/16 treadwright retreads on and run the stock 69hubcaps.

[jreb333]

im using American Racing OutlawII alloy wheels. about to do a disc brake conversion. now im worried......


edit: ah i see. most conversions ive seen use the small caliper, you must have the big one. might be easier to swap calipers than to machine out your rims