Tires Questions
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Freshman User
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Tires Questions
I have an 04 XLT 4X2 and am looking for snow tires. It's seems that nobody makes tires for my truck other than the OEM Hancook all seasons. The size is P235/70/R17. I can't even find them in P245/65/R17. Anyone having a hard time macthing their stock tires with after markets? I'm getting really frustrated! Why would Ford put these odd sized tires on their trucks?
Another question, for all you guys going with bigger tires, would this not affect your ABS brakes or void your warranty? If I put a set of snow tires that are bigger just on the rear is this going to do anything bad to my truck?
Thanks for your help.
Another question, for all you guys going with bigger tires, would this not affect your ABS brakes or void your warranty? If I put a set of snow tires that are bigger just on the rear is this going to do anything bad to my truck?
Thanks for your help.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Have you checked tirerack.com yet? I normally use that site to check out tires. Bigger tires wont effect your ABS or warranty, but it will effect your braking. The change will not be huge, but you just have to realize that trying to stop a larger mass will take both more distance as well as more energy. If it is a 4x2, then just swapping out the rears will not effect it at all. It is only on 4x4s that you cannot have different sized tires. One thing to be aware of while shopping for winter shoes, is that wider /= better. The hydroplaning effect will be magnified with wider tires. Your best bet is a narrower, aggresively treaded tire.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Upstate NY
I agree with the 17" problem
I had the same problem with the General 255-70-17's on my XLT 4x4. They are junk and after last winter I was determined to replace them. After much searching, I replaced them with Michliens 265-70-17 M/S at Sam's Club. I will still put weight in the back for winter (four 70 pound traction sand bags or water softner salt bags). Good luck in your search.
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Yep, I've got the 17" Generals and nobody else makes them. Dealer wouldn't replace them with any other because of warranty issues and the fact that the computer is not programmed to work with any other size of tire which may lead to problems with how the truck will perform.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Upstate NY
Warranty or My Life
After last winter being stuck and doing a nice 360 at 60 MPH on the interstate on very little ice I took off the $70 Generals and replace them with a $159 tire. I checked with my GPS and the 265 vs 255 didn't make any difference at any speed. I know it should have been 1.8% slow. The tires are the only low point in my 2004 truck experience. What was Ford thinking??
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Ford is notorious for putting bad tires on their vehicles. Remember the Firestones blowing up and causing horrendous accidents?
Yes, what were they thinking?
Yes, what were they thinking?
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Originally Posted by kayakingBill
...I will still put weight in the back for winter (four 70 pound traction sand bags or water softner salt bags)...
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Oak Lawn, IL
The "sand" is sold in tubes. Local Menards store has them as well as other stores. I used Water softner salt bags for weight. At the end of the season I just put the salt in the Water Softner. No storage issue.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Upstate NY
Weight in back
To keep the sand bags or salt bags from sliding around and to keep the weight centered over the rear wheels I built a holder out of 2X4's that fit in my bed liner. Think of an "H" across the bed that fits into the slots in the bed. Simple but no worrying about the weight moving around. I live in the upstate NY snow belt and we need all the advantage we can get. Snow on the ground today.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Mirror, Alberta
Same experience
Originally Posted by kayakingBill
After last winter being stuck and doing a nice 360 at 60 MPH on the interstate on very little ice I took off the $70 Generals and replace them with a $159 tire. I checked with my GPS and the 265 vs 255 didn't make any difference at any speed. I know it should have been 1.8% slow. The tires are the only low point in my 2004 truck experience. What was Ford thinking??
What Ford was thinking is that since everyone else is pretty much putting crap tires on their trucks they could get away with it. My experience is that the dealers are just as frustrated with the situation as we customers are. Here in Northern Saskatchewan it isn't uncommon for people to not even make it home from the dealership without having a flat, which needless to say does not make for good customer relations.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Originally Posted by zeusdog
Ford is notorious for putting bad tires on their vehicles. Remember the Firestones blowing up and causing horrendous accidents?
Yes, what were they thinking?
Yes, what were they thinking?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 94
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Originally Posted by hovy
You are getting too much! Put a sock in it for a while.....you ever stop whinning????
Ford would not authorize the dealer to change the tire size on my truck. You got to trust your dealer, right hovy?
I'll stop whining when my truck drives as advertised.
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Freshman User
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Not only are they sub-par tires, but the put unique sizes on the F-150s. I hope the tire manufacturers catch up next year with more of a selection for 17s and 18s.
As for weight, I use four patio stones in a 2x4 frame ... they add a nice amount of weight and don't move around. I also built a platform to match up with the framed patio stones so I can load the sled without having to take them out.
As for weight, I use four patio stones in a 2x4 frame ... they add a nice amount of weight and don't move around. I also built a platform to match up with the framed patio stones so I can load the sled without having to take them out.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Originally Posted by zeusdog
Ford is notorious for putting bad tires on their vehicles. Remember the Firestones blowing up and causing horrendous accidents?
Yes, what were they thinking?
Yes, what were they thinking?