Steel wheel options

[twomorestrokes]

Anyone switch to 16" steel wheels? M1008 needs new tires and currently has H1 12 bolts. Never been able to balance them so looking to switch to a more common 16" factory style wheel. Truck has a 5+" lift. Any good options? Not a fan of aftermarket bling.

 

[Skinny]

Don't get me started on my hate for 16.5 rims and military take offs...

I have had good luck with Ford E350 rims from 90 and 2000s vintage vans. They are a dime and dozen and everywhere. You would never know they are not OEM. The width and backspacing is very similar to a stock wheel.

They also fit HMMWV sized Centramatic wheel balancers which is also a bonus.

If you want to stay 16.5" I did run steel rims from a late 70s Ford F350. There was a certain wheel package that had a very wide and offset steel wheel from this era. They look amazing especially with 37s if you are into steel wheels.

Good luck finding them, if you do they are a fortune. Also doesn't solve your tire availability problem. But another option.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Don't get me started on my hate for 16.5 rims and military take offs...

I have had good luck with Ford E350 rims from 90 and 2000s vintage vans. They are a dime and dozen and everywhere. You would never know they are not OEM. The width and backspacing is very similar to a stock wheel.

They also fit HMMWV sized Centramatic wheel balancers which is also a bonus.

If you want to stay 16.5" I did run steel rims from a late 70s Ford F350. There was a certain wheel package that had a very wide and offset steel wheel from this era. They look amazing especially with 37s if you are into steel wheels.

Good luck finding them, if you do they are a fortune. Also doesn't solve your tire availability problem. But another option.

Thank you Skinny. I've put less than 10,000 mi on this truck in the last 15 years and a big reason for that is the bad wheel hop at certain speeds with the military take off H1s. I need the height to make the truck drivable with the 4.56 but I'm just after some steel wheels that will balance. I'm due for new tires just due to dry rot so now it's the time to make some kind of switch.

 

[Skinny]

I was in the same boat years ago. I'll save you the lesson. It ended up with figuring out trying to salvage military take offs and 16.5" rims is a losing battle.

First of it's in your future budget think about a 700r4 or 4L80e. It's like going from I hate this truck to my god I love driving this. Not at altitude or with giant hills but most highway I'm on 75mph cruise is obtainable and enjoyable.

Enough sidetrack, 16 or 17" wheels have a lot of tire selection although these days I'd lean towards 17". Not sure what is out there for 8x6.5 though unless aftermarket. I wonder if the later model E series vans have a factory 17" with that pattern since I don't believe they ever went metric.

If you stay with a TH400 I'd stick with a 37" tire. I found the HMMWV takeoffs got me to 65mph with a moderately decent engine speed. So whatever the metric equivalent that comes out to be.

I just bought a set of Nankang tires which is Indonesia's finest. They drive good and not a lot of noise. Probably half to 2/3rds the price of anything else. Not sure how good long term but I wouldn't be scared to venture into off brands if you do your due diligence.

Seriously though an overdrive and 35s run really nice with the gutless 6.2 diesel. Probably the best thing you can do to a CUCV is a newer overdrive transmission if you can afford it. That will get you into a smaller tire. Unless you just want to run bigger stuff which I get too.

 

[Skinny]

Nankangs on my S10, look almost identical to the old Goodyear MTR which I was a huge fan of.

 

[87cr250r]

I bought 17 inch steel wheels for an early 2000's Dodge 8 lug for my M1008. They were $50 a wheel for Dodge OEM rims (Italian made). Here is the cheapest I see at the moment.

https://www.wheelstiresandmore.com/Dodge-Ram2500-2003/product/259706/steel-17x75-wheel-rim-stlcj076u?VariantID=668439&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347754876&gbraid=0AAAAADrRctQMBvCbw-znmejsIbXICeZx3&gclid=CjwKCAiAmp3LBhAkEiwAJM2JUDsCFz5kdv7Np2B1w0DnTfSwe2YLJcWhrmZe-fddoKDrfvHRaZYv9xoCFP0QAvD_BwE

There aren't a lot of tire options for the 16" wheel nowadays so I strongly suggest moving up to the 17. These fit a 37x12.5r17 tire.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Thank you. That is some good information. I don't want smaller tires as this truck has a 6-in lift with relocated axles and all of the ORD goodies. It also has a 6.5 turbo setup set at 10 PSI so power loss isn't an issue. The days of me sinking a lot of money into this are unfortunately over as I'm pushing 70 and probably will not be driving this truck a whole lot longer. I see that there is still some good deals on some MTRs, MTs and Bajas but I really want to get rid of these 12 bolts and spacers.

I've found some 16.5 steelies that are 8.25 wide. Backspace is 5.25. Is that going to clear the front end components without spacers?

 

[87cr250r]

My truck is on stock springs with the ORD zero rate to move the front axle forward. I cut the front of the front fender to clear. I am on 37x12.5 tires.

What are you getting 16.5 tires for? This is an example of a 17 inch option.

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 Mud Terrain 31x10.50R15LT Light Truck Tires Online | SimpleTire

Buy Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires in the size you need at a low cost with free shipping direct, to you or one of our 20,000+ installation centers.

simpletire.com

 

[nyoffroad]

To bad you weren't closer, I have a set of heavy duty steel 8 lug spoke wheels that I'd make a good deal on, like take em away! I hate to scrap them but sooner or later they gotta go!

 

[twomorestrokes]

I really appreciate your suggestions. After researching and comparing prices on replacement wheels and tires, I find the lowest cost is sticking with 16.5s. I am pushing 70 so I really don't have to worry about replacement tires again after this.
I found a set of 8.25" wide camper special wheels and 4 37x12.50x16.5 Wrangler Enforcer MT tires which are the current tire for H1s. Either satin black with no caps or a cream color with or without caps. As long as they are round and balanced out I'll be happy.

 

[D6T]

View attachment 960676View attachment 960677

Nankangs on my S10, look almost identical to the old Goodyear MTR which I was a huge fan of.

Absolutely lovely! Wish I had a ZR2 sitting next to my M1009!

 

[Skinny]

What did those steel wheels come off of? Looks good!

I just have ZR2 style flares. If you look closer at the bolt pattern you'll see the difference

Also mine has two more cylinders!

 

[twomorestrokes]

What did those steel wheels come off of? Looks good!

I just have ZR2 style flares. If you look closer at the bolt pattern you'll see the difference

Also mine has two more cylinders!

From what I can see these wheels came off a second gen custom camper option. The wheels weren't actually the option but the larger tires were listed. I've seen these wheels in the 8.25" width which is what I have and also 9.75" width. Backspacing is 5.25" to tuck them in as far as possible.

 

[Skinny]

I didn't know Chevy had a camper wheel. The rim I had was from a Ford. I believe it was a special package. Not sure if it was plow prep or camper. But they are way wider then any other flavor of 16.5" rim. Congrats on the score especially if you got a deal on them.

I had 4 originally and searched for a 5th as a spare and man what a hassle trying to track one down.

 

[twomorestrokes]

I didn't know Chevy had a camper wheel. The rim I had was from a Ford. I believe it was a special package. Not sure if it was plow prep or camper. But they are way wider then any other flavor of 16.5" rim. Congrats on the score especially if you got a deal on them.

I had 4 originally and searched for a 5th as a spare and man what a hassle trying to track one down.

Yep Ford had them also but on the rear only. Think they're 10s. These are Kelsey Hayes for GM. 8.25 or 9.75, 6 or 8 lug. '68-72 were Custom Campers and squares were Camper Specials.

More I researched the more confused I got on the Chevy style.