rstl99

I'm shopping for tires and need to know what size wheels I have on my 96 2500 4x4. The label on the door jamb gives the weight rating associated with stock tire (245-75-16) and stock wheel (16x6.5). However when I measure my wheels with a ruler from bead to bead I get 8". Am I measuring wrong, or is it possible that my truck was fitted with 16x8" wheels due to it having the "camper package" (two additional springs and antisway bar on rear axle)??

I'd like to go to 265-75-16 (it has stock sized tires now) and understand they would fit and wear better on an 8" wheel than a 6.5".

Thanks.

Lil Dog

As far as I know, that era of truck didn't come with alloy wheels but the steel/chrome wheels are the stock 16 x 6.5". The 8" wide alloys came in the later 24V era and IIRC was 01, 02 option only. Either way the 8" wide would easily take 265s. I run 265's on my 6.5 stock rims on the 97.

SIXSLUG

I do not think the stock Alloy rim from the disc brake era trucks will fit on the rear axle due to the brake drums, unless about 1/8" has been turned off the outside of them(drums).

At least they wouldn't clear the drums on dad's 94.

Either way if they are on your truck they apparently fit. 265's on 8" wheels work nicely, I run 285's on mine no problems.

rstl99

Thanks for the feedback.
Actually, I probably have the steel-chrome wheels and not the alloy as I was saying. I took pictures of the spare tire rim (original with the truck?) as well as one of the wheels that's on there. Plus pictures of the ruler measurement of wheel width (from edge to edge I read about 7.5", and not 6.5" as the door jamb label would indicate). Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

Anyway, all this to hopefully allow someone to tell me just what size wheels I have on there, so I can choose suitable tires to match.

Thanks.

leprechaun

My 98 truck is a camper special.When i bought it 5 yrs ago it had 265's on it.I replaced those tires last year with 265's.I have hauled some heavy loads and never had a problem.I have the stock chrome/steel wheels as you have.Since I often haul heavy loads I have load range "E" tires.My door sticker says my truck came with 245's like yours does but I never measured the wheel width to verify they are 6.5" wide.I got my truck from a contractor who hauled lots of heavy loads and he never had a problem with the 265's so I don't think its a problem.

rstl99

Thanks Shelley, sounds like 265's should not be an issue for me either then. Good to know.

BTW, I just checked the build sheet for my truck and it states 16x6.5" wheels, so no matter how I measure it, I seem have 6.5" wheels on there. Sorry for confusion.

What I am debating now is whether to go with the 265/75/R16, or with the skinnier and bit taller 235/85/R16. Skinnier tires tend to be better in snow, and possibly offer _slightly!_ better MPG. Decisions...

SIXSLUG

I think you need to consider the thickness of the steel and the curve where the bead starts to seat as the measuring point.

Thus, probably about 6.5"...

joem

My friend has a set of stock dodge rims, they measure 9" wide and 17" from top to bottom, but he swears they are 16" rims?

SIXSLUG

Again, you measure at the bead seat, not the edges......

joem

oh good, i may have to buy new cooper stt's for my nice wheels and pick up my friends stockers and slam my current wall mart 2857516's onto them for all those dry summer miles