Tires Positions
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, but not for long
Tires Positions
Just bought a 90 F350 EC DRW.. (76K). The truck came with 7 different tires on it. ??? All LT215/85R 16...
LF - Goodyear Wrangler - relatively new, good pattern,
RF- Commerical Truck Tire - Decent tread and pattern
L Inner R - ??? Bald, like a slick
R Inner R - ??? Bald, like a slick
(Both heading for rubber muncher)
L Outer R - Goodyear - fair tread but has cracking on the sidewall
R Outer R - Firestone - Good, but has some wear... (could be a Spare)
Spare - Michelin - Steel popping thru Tread...
(Also heading for rubber muncher) I will probably use the Firestone - R Outer R as the spare.
Looking at buying 4 new tires, 1 pair for the Front. I am not sure where to put the 2nd new pair on the Inside or Outside rear?
Any thoughts, suggestions? - Also I looked at Discount Tires where I have been buying my car tires for years... What brand is the best tire for lowest cost.? Why are LT 215/85R16 more expensive than 235/85R16?
Thanks for the input... (Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)
Last edited by tcook487; Jul 18, 2003 at 06:54 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Canada
Tires Positions
DO NOT mix new tires with old on the duals, and DO NOT mix tires on the steering axle.
Putting a new tire next to a worn one on the duals will result in the new tire looking like the worn one in about a month. It's a complete waste of money. There is also a safety factor, as not all tires have the exact same outside diameter, and more importantly, "running" diameter.
Steering tires are critical to safety, don't mix them and make sure they are in VERY good shape.
I know you don't want to hear it, but you need to buy 6 new tires. In the end, it'll save you money. You may be able to get a few bucks back buy selling the tires on the truck that still have some value, maybe the price of one tire if you're lucky.
As for why the 215's are more expensive, it's because they're only really used on duallys, where as the 235's are a very common tire and even come as the standard size on various configurations of the SD.
If it's me, I stick with Goodyear, BFG, Michelin, or maybe Cooper, but there are other "discount" brand tires out there that will serve you well.
Waxy
Putting a new tire next to a worn one on the duals will result in the new tire looking like the worn one in about a month. It's a complete waste of money. There is also a safety factor, as not all tires have the exact same outside diameter, and more importantly, "running" diameter.
Steering tires are critical to safety, don't mix them and make sure they are in VERY good shape.
I know you don't want to hear it, but you need to buy 6 new tires. In the end, it'll save you money. You may be able to get a few bucks back buy selling the tires on the truck that still have some value, maybe the price of one tire if you're lucky.
As for why the 215's are more expensive, it's because they're only really used on duallys, where as the 235's are a very common tire and even come as the standard size on various configurations of the SD.
If it's me, I stick with Goodyear, BFG, Michelin, or maybe Cooper, but there are other "discount" brand tires out there that will serve you well.
Waxy
Last edited by Waxy; Jul 18, 2003 at 09:23 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Tires Positions
Do you have a Costco/Price Club in your area? I just put new tires on my truck, and their price couldn't be beat. I know it doesn't help you out on trying to replace only some of your tires rather than all of them, but at leat you can get a good deal there. They also come with lifetime free balancing, rotations, and road hazzard repairs. Might be worth looking into when you're checking around.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, but not for long
Tires Positions
OK... I can see the logic... even though my wallet puckers a bit... So now I guess I am looking at "7" new tires... Did some on-line shopping... All I could see at Costco were the Michelin LTX M/S LT215/85R16 @ $139.99 vs Discount Tires @ $155.00
Sam's Club came up with a BF Goodrich® Commercial T/A - LT215/85R16/D for $90.88, but I am not sure it has a correct load rating I need (D vs E)
They also carry Dunlop, Michelin, and Goodyear http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/dept_c...&search_page=1
BTW - My Axle code is D5 -- any info on that would be much appreciated...
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Canada
Tires Positions
You don't need to buy 7 tires, just keep the best one, or one that's good (50%) as your spare. It just means that you have to put the spare on, you have to get around to replacing it sooner rather than later.
The Michelin LTX's are excellent tires, and I don't think you can go wrong with them.
The BFG's are good tires too. I'd check the tread on the BFG Commercials, if memory serves they come in either an agressive lug or a highway rib, with not much in between.
I wouldn't be as concerned about load range as I would be about load capacity. You can buy a Load Range D tire that will have the same or greater load capacity as a Load Range E tire. That being said, all things being equal, and with the stock size, you're probably better off with an E rated tire.
haroutd is bang on about Costco, they have great prices. The only problem I had with them is they weren't willing to put any size of tire other than the stock size on my truck, so I had to go elsewhere. That won't be a problem for you though.
As for your axle code, I'm afraid I can't help you out.
Waxy
The Michelin LTX's are excellent tires, and I don't think you can go wrong with them.
The BFG's are good tires too. I'd check the tread on the BFG Commercials, if memory serves they come in either an agressive lug or a highway rib, with not much in between.
I wouldn't be as concerned about load range as I would be about load capacity. You can buy a Load Range D tire that will have the same or greater load capacity as a Load Range E tire. That being said, all things being equal, and with the stock size, you're probably better off with an E rated tire.
haroutd is bang on about Costco, they have great prices. The only problem I had with them is they weren't willing to put any size of tire other than the stock size on my truck, so I had to go elsewhere. That won't be a problem for you though.
As for your axle code, I'm afraid I can't help you out.
Waxy
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Tires Positions
I just had the Michelin LTX M/S tires put on my truck -- at an insanely cheep tune of about $750 for a set of four, in 285/75 R16. I knew they were going to pull the old "this is not the manufacturer's specified size" game on me at Costco, so I came armed. I copied & pasted some FTE & Ford Logo's in a Word document, put in an excerpt from the FAQ regarding tire sizes from this site (with my edits) and handed it to the guy. Told him this came from a site that specializes in Ford Technical Data & Specifications. Made it look & sound really official. Technically, everything I said is true!
So far, I love the tires. I love the price. I love the fact that I tipped the head guy at the shop $10 to bump me up on the line of cars they had waiting (saved me 1 1/2 hours of wait time). I love the fact that I even got to hang in the shop & help mount the tires. I definately suggest going to Costco for tires. Just don't forget to tip the shop foreman!
So far, I love the tires. I love the price. I love the fact that I tipped the head guy at the shop $10 to bump me up on the line of cars they had waiting (saved me 1 1/2 hours of wait time). I love the fact that I even got to hang in the shop & help mount the tires. I definately suggest going to Costco for tires. Just don't forget to tip the shop foreman!
Last edited by haroutd; Jul 18, 2003 at 07:27 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IDIDieselJohn
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Dec 30, 2011 11:26 PM
toms72camperspecial
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 16, 2006 05:44 AM
cody burwell
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Nov 14, 2002 07:34 PM
