is this possible ??? so that i can still tow a 5000 pound boat and/or carry a full payload in the bed ??? can it be done without any lift kit or body lift ?

 

I don't think the 16" wheel will work with the 16.5" tire. Other then that, I'd think you would only have to consider the gear ratio as your biggest problem. If you have the 3.55 gear now, with the 33" tall tire, it'll be like a 3.24. Not bad, but you will notice the difference. If you have a 3.73, it'll be like a 3.4. Better, but you won't have the same capicity as stock unless you bring the final ratio back to original.

I'd also get some sort of helper springs to keep the rear from sagging so much with a load regardless of what size tires you go with.

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1997 F150 4x4 XLT, SuperCab, Short Box, 5.4, Royal Blue/Silver, K&N, Gibson SS, LT265/75/16 Wild Country APT's

 

33x12.5x16.5" on a 16x7= No. It's very dangerous. You're better off getting a 305/70/16 (which is the same) for your 16x7 rim. The tires will buldge out quite a bit. Most tire specs call for atleast a 8" wide rim. If you plan on towing a 5K boat alot, look into a D or E load range tire. Yes, the 33's will fit without the lift. you may have to crank the torsion bars alittle and trim off some of the factory molded mudflaps if you have them. Good luck

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1999 4x4 F250 LightDuty XLT SuperCab 5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster exhaust, K&N FIPK, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear swaybar, Stull billet grille, PIAA Air Dam with 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (85W Superwhites), 4-KC Daylighters (150W), Leer 100XL Shell, Performance Accessories 3" Body Lift, 33/12.5/17 ProComp Mud Terrains on 17x8 American Racing Atlas Rims. Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart.

 

I don't think a reputable tire dealer would mount 16.5 inch tires on 16 inch wheels for you. The specs for BFGoodrich All-Terrains in the 33x12.5R16.5 size approves of wheels between 8.25 inches to 10.5 inches, well outside the 7 inch wheel that you propose to use. I assume you already have these tires and are trying to make do. But if you have yet to buy tires, you might look at the 285/75R16 size. They are about the same diameter as your 33's but about an inch narrower. The BFGoodrich spec approves of wheels only between 7.5 inches to 9 inches, but a number of people on this discussion list have reported no problems using them on their stock rims.

 

THanks for the replies. I sort of goofed my question. If i get a 16.5 aftermarket rim. will i be able to fit the 33x12.5x16.5 tires without any rubbing and ability to tow a 5000lb boat ?

If not then what maximum metric size tire can i mount to tow the boat without rubbing ?
thanks. i see many people mount 285/75/16 and some even with 305/70/16.

 

I have 285x75x16's on my stock 4x4 with 4.2 and have no problem clearing the tires. I also tow an 84 ski supreme which weighs in at about 3000+lbs. I had no problems at all towing it with the smaller tires and have no problems now. The power loss on the entire truck was very minimal. Your boat is a little heavier but if you have a larger engine I highly doubt you will have a problem. My dad had a bronco 2 with 33's(up from like 215's) on a 2.8 liter and he still towed a boat with minimal trouble although he had to work it a little on long steep hills.
I say go for it!!!!!