16.5's are quickly becoming obsolete, no argument. And for me it was price, too. Found complete '86 3/4 ton Sub for $300 with 4.10 gears. Found (5) brand new Goodyear Wrangler RTII for $550 including shipping. Found (5) clearance Chrome Centerline Bullet rims for $145 apiece ($725). I turned the rear drums and added new shoes, put new rotors on the front. So I did a complete 3/4 ton axle swap (albeit with the "wimpy" 9.5" 14) for $1750 with 36" tires, 4.10 gears with a Gov-bomb in the back and a full boat of billet rims. And I have a matching spare tire and wheel.
I wish I had thought out what I was going to do to the truck long term when I did these sort of first mods 20 years ago.
After having broke more 12 bolts than I can count, I should have done this years ago and the job would have been almost free! Especially if it was how I had originally swapped to 4.10 rather than buying gears and paying to get them setup. But hey, without all that experience with exploding 12 bolts I wouldn't have all the diff setup experience I have now.
