how big a tire can go on a 16x8

Ok, so heres the deal.... I was contemplating powdercoating my wheels black and all, but i had another idea. I really like the new bronze "simulated" beadlock TRD wheels and theyre 16x8 if im not mistaken..... and i was wondering how big a tire can run on that wheel. I currently run a 305/70/17 on my truck now and *IF* i went with 16's id like to run a similar size... but i was told that you should be "careful" when running a wider tire on a slim rim like the 16x8.

any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

*edit: they are 7.5 inches wide.

 

rule of thumb 4 inches wider then the rim

 

do you know where the rule of thumb comes from? way way back in the day it was ok for men to hit their wives with a switch (tree limb) as long as the switch was not bigger than her thumb

 

personally i dont really see any problem running a wide tire on a skinny rim.. you have problems when you try and run a skinny tire on a wide rim.. hard to get a bead set.

 

like i dont remeber exactly where i got it, but a quick google search and you see a bunch of guys do it
http://yotatech.com/f177/12-5-inch-wide-tires-what-width-rims-151956/

 

well ya know heres a good one from VA for ya...

It is legal for a man to beat his wife on the courthouse steps so long as it is before 8:00 pm.