Old school tire question
 

Getting ready for the final touches on my 1972 Blazer.
Going for a total stock off the showroom floor look with steel wheels and poverty caps and period correct tires.

Per the SPID, L78 15 tires were supplied.

I have one Uniroyal Snowplow M&S tire as a spare, came with the truck and looks like it has never been on the ground.
Can't seem to locate these tires(or reproductions) anywhere, Checked online, Coker, Etc.

Any suggestions for a old school looking L78 15 tire appreciated.
Post photos if possible.
Thanks,
Tbruz

Re: Old school tire question
 

i've looked many times for oldschool project buils of hotrods and have never been able to find any L78-15's being redone

Re: Old school tire question
 

Something similar to this?
http://onlyoldiesgarage.com/xcart/pr...roductid=16415

Re: Old school tire question
 

Or this? It's a little on the aggressive side.
https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...r-traxion.html

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Here's an Ebay thread for Summit!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coker-Vintag...item4cff00c451

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my buddy here in alaska just shipped up this super low (8,000 orig mile) mileage blazer from texas...it had the *****in dual stripe BFgoodrich tires on it http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/...TBMX/new67.jpg http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/...TBMX/new68.jpg

Re: Old school tire question
 

my buddy here in alaska just shipped up this super low (8,000 orig mile) mileage blazer from texas...it had the *****in dual stripe BFgoodrich tires on it

Re: Old school tire question
 

Thats a nice blazer you got.

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There was just a set of 5 NOS G78-15's on ebay with a chep buy it now.

Re: Old school tire question
 

Re: Old school tire question
 

He relisted them twice. I dont think they sold. Send hime an email. Hope you get them!! Good luck

Scott

Re: Old school tire question
 

Any feedback for the people that took the time to help you out??

Re: Old school tire question
 

wow.. bad day sicklajoie?? Thats kinda out of line imho.. It has only been 24 hours since the post.

Re: Old school tire question
 

Thanks for the input folks,
The Coker/Summit are Traxion STA tires which are a bit aggressive compared to the Uniroyal Snowplow M&S I'm trying to match.
May end up with the straight tread BF Goodrich design if all else fails.

Sorry if my thanks is too slow, family events come first over checking/replying to posts!
Tbruz

Re: Old school tire question
 

The first link I sent is a little less aggressive of a tread design.
Sorry I stepped out of line.
There have been numerous times where I've went out of my way to help someone with research and days to weeks have went by with not so much as an acknowledgement - whether it be good or bad. It makes me frustrated sometimes. I apologize that I took it out on you.

Re: Old school tire question
 

I have to say I wouldn't run a set of 40 year old tyres no matter how well they'd been stored, maybe on a trailer queen show car but not on anything driven, you have no idea how they are going to behave and its only those four little patches of rubber that keep you on the road.

Re: Old school tire question
 

That is kinda what I was thinking. IF they make a new tire that matches the old like Coker does that is one thing but I bet those 40 year old NOS ones will be weather checked and shot inside of one year.

Plus I really appreciate that 8000 mile Blazer but it really needs a set of rims and tires. It reminds me of my 1972 Chevelle when I bought it in 1984. I had no money and needed to run the spare. That spare was a tire with factory air in it. It was "correct" for the car but sure didn't look good IMHO.

Re: Old school tire question
 

I went to help my grandfather clear out his fishing caravan (trailer) back in 1982 as he and his fishing buddy were getting too old to stand up to their waist in a river fly fishing (he would have been about 83 ish then) His caravan had genuine war surplus Spitfire (fighter plane not Triumph!) wheels and tyres on it complete with the original just post war air in them. It had pretty much been stood in the same spot since it was new and they still held air, not sure how they would have reacted to being moved though. I often wonder what that 40 year old air would have tasted like, probably just rubbery I guess!

Re: Old school tire question
 

These guys should not be overlooked:

http://www.dbtires.com/

I got a set of redlines for my GTO project from them and they look great.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...TO/mounted.jpg

Re: Old school tire question
 

Lots of good info folks, Thanks.

sicklajoie No worries, I appreciate your input and your apology: we all have bad days.

Lippyp, mrein3 The 40 year old tires were never considered, too much money spent restoring to risk a $300 savings on those tires versus fresh repros.

My issue is deciding if I want straight tread versus the snow tread.
Was leaning towards snow tread but as stated earlier the Traxion tread seems a little aggressive.
Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of the Traxion and/or pics of the Traxion on their rides?
Tbruz

Re: Old school tire question
 

Long as they are not dryrotted there is nothing wrong with 40 year old tires. A good friend has a set of NOS Good Year Polyglass tires on his 1970 GTX and the tires are dated 1970. They look like brand new with no cracking or dry rot and ride a good as the repops.

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thats a first for me on the dual line tires thats cool (i didn't get to see the good days lol) old school :metal:

Re: Old school tire question
 

Tbruz,
IMHO... Whatever you decide to do, do not buy and drive old tires. Even NOS.

The bonding agents deteriorate, not only through heat and use but also
through degradation by oxygen.
Recommended as safe is no more than 6-10 years.

Even if you buy new tires from a dealer, check the date code on the back.
Many dealers might store tires for years so ask to pick out
your own tire...find the newest.

The code should look something like the illustration.

Didn't mean to go off on a tangent here but safety should play a part.

.

Re: Old school tire question
 

When I bought my truck - from a very good friend - he swore by that Traxion style tire. He claimed that when they were getting bald those "paddles" around the sides remained and gave good grip in mud and snow.

Now we all know how loud these trucks are in stock form, little or no insulation or sound deadening, high rpms with stock transmissions, etc.
Heck I drove my rig to work yesterday to pick up the same friend's log splitter to do work on a tree that was blown down in my yard last summer and my ears are still ringing.

Long story short - getting rid of those traxion style tires and getting normal, then 90's tire technology made the truck WAY less noisy on the road. You couldn't GIVE me a set of those for my truck. To pay $180 each to me seems completely out of the question. For that you can get a decent raised white letter M&S radial mounted and balanced.

When you are looking, look at P-metric "Extra Load" rated tires. The last set I bought the P-metrics (P235/75-R15) had a 50 or 100 pound higher rating than the same companies LT rated tire.

I know you want the stock look with steel rims. I like the old school look of steel rims too. What about a decent M&S tire and put the raised white letters on the inside? My favorite shop always asks me if I want the white letters in or out.

Re: Old school tire question
 

I suspected the Traxions would be loud; thanks for verification
Tbruz