I have called and called and called and no one in my area within at least a 50 mile radius does tire siping (near Philadelphia, PA). Anyway I really want to get my BFG MT's siped, but since no one will do it, is there a way I can do it myself??? I would drive 100 miles to get this done, if I knew where to do it, but it seems as though no one anywhere does. I am no auto expert or tire guru by FAR, but I dont see any other options! Help?!

 

jlstorm,

Have you checked with companies that deal mainly with tractor-trailer tires? I know Discount Tire here in my area offers siping, but as you stated, you've already checked placed within a 50mi radius.

For DIY siping, check out the links below. Hope it helps!

DIY Siping w/Utility Knife
Heated Siping Knife

 

Thanks for the links I ordered a hot knife kit and I will post some pics after I sipe the tires myself....it seems pretty simple especially with MT's there is os much rubber and plenty of room for error, not that its that hard.

 

Got my tires siped for free today at Discount, was time to get them balanced and rotated anyway. I watched them do it, they cut pretty far into the tread and really took there time, made sure to get all the tread, this has to make a improvement, bet it is a lot differnt on ice, will know the next snow fall. Only problem I see is that when the tire is half gone the wont be any siping left, would think the tire would almost need resiped when its near half gone, the machine just can't go that deep.... It would be a real pita to do yourself, the machine had a hard enough time, took near a hour going nonstop, would be a day doing it myself, if I had a way.

 

Think I might get a utility knife and do a little custom work to see if I can make some even better sips, seems easy enough???

 

IT does seem simple, everywhere I have read people seem to state around 15-20 minutes per tire, and that is doing it by hand. The kit I ordered is sold by a speed shop spefically for siping. I like the idea of doing it myself because I can re-sipe my own tires whenever they need them. I think on my tires it should be fairly easy because of the big lugs and there are not that many of them.

 

This sounds like a great thing to try on the Contis that come on FX4s in 05 models. Has anyone tried this on a Conti?

 

If I had a new truck I would trade the stock tires in and get some good ones, Discount gave me $300 for my new stock BFG's, paid $125 a piece for my Nitto's, that's only $200 for some nice tires, pretty good deal if you ask me...