Tire Research Thread / Poll

[70cst]

Greetings all...
I have done a lot of searching and have not found what I am looking for so it is "poll" time. I would like your input to the following questions as I am considering new tires and possibly a different front wheel set up. (switching from 16x8 to 16x7) My truck has a used set of Goodyear 285/60r16 on all four corners. (TT II's 16x8) Most my driving will be county and some highway driving. No snow or off road. My truck is lowered 2"/4" So before I buy I would like your input. Thanks in advance.

a) What make of tires do you run and what is your impression of your tires.

b) Are your front tires the same size as the rear? Same for wheels?

c) What size of tire and wheel are you running?

d) Evaluate your 1) Ride , 2) Handling, 3) Wet weather traction , 4) Are they quiet?

Your answers willl give me a cross section of ideas and information that I can use and it just might help someone else.

[70cst]

Oh yes...Don't look at this as a homework assgignment. Look at this way. It's an opportunity to use you vast experience of knowlede to help others out.

[Shane]

a.) BF Goodrich - Radial T/A's
b.) no -different size tires and wheels
c.) 255-60/16 on 8" rallies - rear / 235-60/15 on 6 1/5" rallies - front
d.) about average on all

[sjarrett71]

I have 3 different brand of tires on my truck right now so I can't really pick one answer in your poll. When I buy new tires they will probably be the BF Goodrich because of the price on the size I want. I will say the best, longest lasting tires I have ever had were Michelins.

[67chevy1series]

my dad has a 4wd 70 lwb and he loves his bf goodrich all terrain and he has them on all four wheels and they are quiet and he has them on his rallies also they would do good on on all your guestions but they would probably give your 70 cst a real beafy look so mine are kinda good to douglas xtra trac and we had them on our 87 chevy van and then they went to our 82 caprice then they went on my dads 68 suburban but he never got to drive them and now there on my 67 swb and they have been good

[cam.man67]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Greetings all...
a) What make of tires do you run and what is your impression of your tires.

b) Are your front tires the same size as the rear? Same for wheels?

c) What size of tire and wheel are you running?

d) Evaluate your 1) Ride , 2) Handling, 3) Wet weather traction , 4) Are they quiet?

a) Currently using a 20-year-old set of Dunlop Radial Rovers on white Mangels wheels. (Will be switching to BFG AT T/As when dry rot finally takes over )
b) front same as rear
c) 235/75R15
d) 1) Ride nicely, albeit fairly sensitive to bumps
2) Not a whole lot of grip, easy to break rear end loose even in 2nd w/ stock motor and 3.73 axle
3) Pretty hairy. On one 25 mile trip in the wet, I started to slide three times.
4) Decently noise-free except on the interstate.

In other words, no, I don't care what advances Dunlop's on their Radial Rover line since these tires were made, I wouldn't buy them again. If I ever convert to 5-lug, I'll be running 16" TTII's with BFGs, haven't decided what size yet.

[70cst]

So far Goodrich seems to be the tire of choice.

[70cst]

More input please...Your expereince is the best resource as far as I am concerned.

[Old Yeller 1970]

a) Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
b) Yes
c) 15x8 255/75R15
d)1) Rides the same as previous Firestone, Cooper and no name tires.
2) Handling is good, as far as I can tell. I live in West Texas where all the roads are straight so I haven't been able to really test it. When I make a hard turn, from one street to another, they don't brake traction.
3) Wet weather traction is about the same as the other tires mentioned. But we don't get much rain so I haven't been able to test them much in that either.
4) They don't make any noise to speak of.

I'll add one more thing about them which is the main reason I bought them, hard launch traction. All the previous tires broke traction from idle with the stock engine build. Since I added about 100hp with the rebuild, I searched the internet looking for a non-drag racing tire with a good reputation for traction and decided on the Indy 500s. I've been thoroughly impressed. I can rev the engine, dump the clutch and fry them, but when I hard launch from idle they hook right up.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller 1970

a) Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
b) Yes
c) 15x8 255/75R15
d)1) Rides the same as previous Firestone, Cooper and no name tires.
2) Handling is good, as far as I can tell. I live in West Texas where all the roads are straight so I haven't been able to really test it. When I make a hard turn, from one street to another, they don't brake traction.
3) Wet weather traction is about the same as the other tires mentioned. But we don't get much rain so I haven't been able to test them much in that either.
4) They don't make any noise to speak of.

I'll add one more thing about them which is the main reason I bought them, hard launch traction. All the previous tires broke traction from idle with the stock engine build. Since I added about 100hp with the rebuild, I searched the internet looking for a non-drag racing tire with a good reputation for traction and decided on the Indy 500s. I've been thoroughly impressed. I can rev the engine, dump the clutch and fry them, but when I hard launch from idle they hook right up.

Thanks for your input Old Yeller 1970...Greatly appreciated!

[68Stepbed]

Ok, first of all, I don't think you need to change to a 7" wheel in front. Buying another wheel is an unnecessary expense, IMO. The 8" wheel will be fine. The issue you're going to run into is the 16" wheels. Tires are very limited. I think these trucks look great with an offset tire combo. Most offset combos look great with a drop in two-three tire sizes, for example, my truck has 15x8 wheels all around with 275/60/15 and 255/60/15 tires.

I'll try to do some research and see what kind of tire combos I can find for you.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

Ok, first of all, I don't think you need to change to a 7" wheel in front. Buying another wheel is an unnecessary expense, IMO. The 8" wheel will be fine. The issue you're going to run into is the 16" wheels. Tires are very limited. I think these trucks look great with an offset tire combo. Most offset combos look great with a drop in two-three tire sizes, for example, my truck has 15x8 wheels all around with 275/60/15 and 255/60/15 tires.

I'll try to do some research and see what kind of tire combos I can find for you.

Thanks for the info. I am taking the Circuit Rider in next Monday to have the alignment evaluated and adjusted.

[70cst]

Still lookin for more input.

There are no wrong answers as we all have had different experiences with trucks and our tires.

[lakeroadster]

I had always been a big BF Goodrich guy, ever since the mid 1970's.

Did ya'll know that even though B.F. Goodrich is still a popular brand name of tires, the Goodrich Corporation exited the tire business in 1988. The tire business and use of the name was sold to Michelin.

The last set of BFG's I bought was about 3 years ago and they are TKO's, they replaced some "Rugged Trail" BFG's on my daily driver Tacoma. I can't keep the TKO's balanced? Same rims that the "Rugged Trails" were on?

I now buy Goodyears.

[frednoah]

a) BF Goodrich Radial T/A's
b)15x8 rims on all 4 corners, staggered tires
c)front-255/60/15 rear-275/60/15
d)Ride- a lot smoother than when it had the 20's on it. Not as smooth as my old Buick, but it is a pickup truck, so overall I'm happy.
Handling- haven't driven a whole lot due to the brake issues it had, but the truck seems to handle fine, doesn't wander all over the road or pull.
Wet traction- haven't been out in the rain yet, I'm not expecting any issues
Noise- you mean your truck is quiet enough to hear tires over the exhaust?

[70cst]

Originally Posted by frednoah

a) BF Goodrich Radial T/A's
b)15x8 rims on all 4 corners, staggered tires
c)front-255/60/15 rear-275/60/15
d)Ride- a lot smoother than when it had the 20's on it. Not as smooth as my old Buick, but it is a pickup truck, so overall I'm happy.
Handling- haven't driven a whole lot due to the brake issues it had, but the truck seems to handle fine, doesn't wander all over the road or pull.
Wet traction- haven't been out in the rain yet, I'm not expecting any issues
Noise- you mean your truck is quiet enough to hear tires over the exhaust?

Very good point frednoah ... With my BB that is really a mute question.
I appreciate your input.

[jrcaprai]

I have BFG radial TA 255 x 60 x 15 on the Front with 15 x 8 American Eagle Alloys 211
Rear is BFG Drag Radial 325 x 50 x15 on 15 x 10 Eagle alloys 211

Next Pair of Rears will be Mickey Thompson Drag Radials in 325 x 50 x 15

[Already Gone]

I have 235/70r15 Goodyear RSA tires on 15x8's on all four corners of my truck. I just put the 8's on this summer and was running 15 x7 for the last 3 or 4 years and other than appearance ( the 8's pop the tries out better ) I dont find adifference. I got these tires used from a buddy and he took off them off an old police car he bought. Goodyear RSA's are standard equipment on a lot of cop cars and which tires get more abuse that those on a cop car. Anyway the tires are quiet with great wet or dry traction and are wearing very evenly , but I am anal about tire pressures. You can get these tires in 16' too.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I have 235/70r15 Goodyear RSA tires on 15x8's on all four corners of my truck. I just put the 8's on this summer and was running 15 x7 for the last 3 or 4 years and other than appearance ( the 8's pop the tries out better ) I dont find adifference. I got these tires used from a buddy and he took off them off an old police car he bought. Goodyear RSA's are standard equipment on a lot of cop cars and which tires get more abuse that those on a cop car. Anyway the tires are quiet with great wet or dry traction and are wearing very evenly , but I am anal about tire pressures. You can get these tires in 16' too.

Thanks Already Gone .... I appreciate your reponse.

[bad68bowtie]

a.) BF Goodrich - Radial T/As
b.) Yes.
c.) 255/70/15s and 15x7 rallies all the way around.
d.) Pretty average on everything, but with an open rear end, I don't get a bit of traction in dirt/gravel/grass.

Overall I'm pretty satisfied with these tires. My truck is my daily driver and they hold up pretty well, although I was putting 35 psi on all four corners when I first got them and after a few thousand miles I was getting some uneven wear in the middle of the rear tires. Flipped them around and took a few pounds out of the rears and that seemed to solve that issue.

My only gripe is that I really don't get a bit of traction on a non-paved surface, especially if it's even remotely wet outside. Then again, this may be more due to not having any kind of posi unit or locker in the rear end.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 70cst

a) What make of tires do you run and what is your impression of your tires.

b) Are your front tires the same size as the rear? Same for wheels?

c) What size of tire and wheel are you running?

d) Evaluate your 1) Ride , 2) Handling, 3) Wet weather traction , 4) Are they quiet?

a) BFG Radial Long Trail T/A

b) Yes and Yes.

c) 235/75R15 on 15x8 rims. When I lower the truck with spindles it will kick the front track width out, so I may go to 15x7 for the front.

d)
1) Excellent
2) Average
3) Average - I've had the ass break loose on me with several different types of tires, these trucks are just light in the rear.
4) Yes

[mrein3]

On my truck I have Firestone Wilderness ATs. These were the model that Ford screwed Firestone on. There is nothing wrong with the tire. ANY tire that is underinflated then put on an overloaded vehicle will blow.

235/75-r15 on all four corners (I have a 4x4 so I can't be mixing sizes).

I got them more for the traction in the snow. When it gets really deep I just toss chains on the front.

On my Ford Exploder I have BF Goodrich Long Trails. They are nice and quiet. I don't know about traction because they went on this summer and haven't seen any challenges yet as that vehicle stays on the road for the most part.

Goodyears are on my GE list. Like GE products, I won't ever purchase another Goodyear tire. The Eagle STs on my convertible are fine but that vehicle sees 1000 miles on a busy year. When I had Wranglers on my truck they cupped WAY too fast. I also had a set of Goodyears on my daily driver that got cupped real bad too.

[70cst]

Thanks All...
This is real good info that will benefit me and hopefully others. Those who are posting others in the poll... what tires are you running?

[Irishpilot]

235/60R17 up front, 255/65R17 in back and Kumho tires since they are cheap, I don't worry about smoking 'em every chance I get, and grip well enough for the truck.

[PanelDeland]

BF Goodrich T/A radials.235F-255R 70 -15. They are quiet on the hiway have good dry traction and decent wet traction.I have about 20,000 on one set and maybe 5,000 on the others.I keep them rotated and the air checked.I also use a tread guage to determine if they are wearing evenly so I can adjust pressure if needed. I pay about $400-425 a set M&B installed at my local tire store. They ride as well as the factory tires on my 2000 Dakota and made a world of difference in the 68.I'm not a really agressive driver so the handling seems fine.I'm also not running PS and can handle parking lot style turns easier then with any other tires I've ever run on a 67-72 (I've owned one for the last 30 years).
I'm also running them on 15X8 Rallies in a 6 lug 74 up style.