Rim size on an 82 Full size Jeep axle

I am putting Dana 44's under my cj5 that are out of an 82 full size jeep. I have found a guy that has a bunch of 36" and 37” 16.5 x 12.50. I need to know if the 16.5's will be a problem. I have not bought my rims yet but will be looking for some soon. Seems like I read somewhere that there is a problem with air down for rock crawling but can not find that info anymore. Can someone help me find that post or give me some advice on the use of 16.5? The tires are about $60 each with 70% or more tread on them. So as you can see I have to explore this option.

 

16.5 tires are somewhat of a bear to find unless you have a source for some cheap ones. They are just getting away from them. Also, 16.5's don't have much of a bead so can't air them down as far before the beads break loose (unless of course you have bead locks). I would stay away from them if it was me.

 

Thanks a lot, I thought I had heard something like that. Well to go shopping now. Yeehaw!!!

 

To add what was said above, the 16.5's don't have a "safety bead" built into the wheel, meaning the raised bump all around the circumferance of the bead area like most all other sizes have so the bead has a tendency to slip off the wheel at low pressures. This is a hold over from the old days of real stiff sidewall truck tires of yesteryear. Nickmil

 

Your FSJ rims have 6 hole same as chevy trucks but 16.5 ones are hard to find used