I'm getting ready to go off to school... I've been accepted to BYU (needless to say, an awesome private school with 30xxx undergraduates) and the time has come for a new set of tires since I will be in snow country. The choices are:

Bridgestone Dueller A/T - $600
Dayton A/T (don't know the name) - $400
Cooper Lifeliner SLE - $350

Now, I know the Lifeliners are a car tire, but that's what's currently on my truck and I love them. The only problem is, they are a bit small.... As in 215/65/15. They look funny in the wheelwell. I am going up to a 235/70/15. I know for a fact the Duellers are great tires as well. I was wanting to know if anyone had any opinions about the Daytons in general. I'm not paying for the tires, so price isn't really a big deal. (I love that Dad wants to take care of me!!) If anyone has any other suggestions as far as tires go, pls let me know. I would like to get a quality tire without spending a whole bunch. I don't want to cost my dad too much.

 

hey, your in college and you will learn looks are nothing. i love a car tire on my ranger.... they ride sooo nice. i have recently switched back to a truck tire and im sad with them. i wouldnt recommend any of those tho.. i am a huge fan of the goodyear rts or wts series. they are an agressive tread and they lasted me over 50k, and i peel around alot

Matt

 

I don't know how much snow they get there, but I DO know something about driving 2wd Rangers in snow, since I have one and live in Maine.

Here is what I've learned:
*2wd trucks are not good in snow, no matter what you do. They don't go well, they don't stop well, and they want to spin in corners.
*Good tires are good, snow tires are tons better. Bald tires are very bad.
*Nothing beats experience, which is better gained screwing around in a parking lot or an empty back street than in traffic.

I had two studded snow tires on my truck this winter (studs are illegal in a lot of states, though (don't get me started on that one...) so they might not be an option for you) and good all-seasons on the front. I don't ever want to drive that truck in the snow without snow tires again. I went to the local crappy discount tire place, and payed $160 for the two rears, mounted, and will continue to run my well-worn all-seasons for the summer.

 

Just my opinion, but I would go with the Bridgstone Dueller A/T's....ran a used set for a short period of time until I could afford a new set when I purchased new rims, they were decent tires, not a bad ride, and handled well on the road as well as in the sand(not that it helps you being in snow country). Know a couple of people who run them and like them as well. But again, just my opinion - and I think they will also give your ranger a nice look as well -

 

BFG A/Ts are great in snow and mud and I have over 30K on mine with a good amount of tread left and don't see why I wont get 45K out of them with my heavy foot in a 04 4.0L manual truck. Also well behaved tire on the street and handle very well...I want another set but I want a bigger tire than the 31x10.50x15s I have now.

 

BYU is about 30 mins from Salt Lake City, UT. I think I'm leaning towards the Coopers but wouldn't mind the Duellers. This is a 4x2 truck and I prefer ride quality over looks. I appreciate all the input thus far! I will def have to check out the Goodyears. The BFGs are pretty much out of the picture. They would be out of place on my truck (4x2) and I prefer ride quality above all.

 

Ok just to clarify and add a little more, when I said I ran the duellers until I could purchase a new set, the new set was BFG Mud TA's.

Ok now that I cleared that up, I want to add a little more. When we are talking AT type tires, the BFG's really have a decent ride in comparison to some of the lesser brands. I liked the duellers I spoke of previously as well, they also had a decent ride.

Now here is something for you to consider, the AT type tires, especially the BFG's excell in one area over the street tires. They have less sidewall flex, in turn this takes all or most of your trucks body roll out.....that lean the truck gets when you are cornering. The BFG's do so well because they have 3 sidewall plys and 6 bottom plys. I think goodyears are 2/5 or 3/5....they might have changed. Most of the rest are 2/5. This also makes them more puncture resistant in comparison to street tires.

I don't know what kind of driver you are and what kind of conditions you drive in or if you have any use at all for an AT type tire. They are definately more expensive so the extra cost is just not worth it to some people and I can understand that. I will say the "look" and improvement in handleling set of 235/70/15 BFG AT's or Dueller AT's for that matter will give your 2x ranger might be worth the extra $$$ to you...I know I was pretty pleased with the above mentioned improvements it gave my 99' when I did it.

 

I've had firestone wilderness, general touring, goodyear rts and ht, and winterforce tires on my ranger 4x4.

The goodyears were good on dry roads only - terrible on wet or icy or snowy roads.

The firestone wilderness were good all season tires. Good traction in all conditions. Just had a bad habit of picking up punctures ( 9 in 60,000miles).

The general touring are good on dry and wet roads. Ok in the snow and ice.

The winterforce are excellent in wet and snowy conditions. Good on ice. I use them strictly for winter only, because the rubber compound is way too soft to get wasted on dry road driving.

Good luck on tire purchasing.

 

If snow is a problem, why not consider mounting a set of snow tires on separate wheels from a salvage yard & put them on in winter, as needed.

Then opt for the best smooth riding all season tire, say like a Michelin Cross Terrain, if ride quality is so important.

The Michelin Cross Terrain is a SUV/Light Truck tire who's claim to fame is a smooth ride, good looks & decent performance. It's a little expensive, but then it'll likely work real good & last a long time, probably get you through 4 years of school too!!!!

Just some more thoughts to ponder.

 

I live in Fairbanks Alaska, so I have some experience driving in snowy and icy conditions lol... we're finally having nice weather now... winter didnt want to give up this year. I drive about 4-5 hours a day in a 4x2 ranger and I have to say that tires are the key. 4x4 is nice, but completely unnecesary if you have good tires and good driving ability... This winter I bought some used tires of a brand I hadnt heard of before... they're called Trailbusters and have an "all-terrain type" tread and are studded. With these tires I can honestly say that there wasnt a single situation I encountered where I felt 4wd was needed... acceleration was smooth and effortless, and more importantly braking was very good. I never had my back end start trying to get away from me around turns at all. Weight is also important... make sure to get something in the bed to help those tires. Now I'm not saying that you should go and buy these tires specifically, but something along those lines, mounted on extra rims would be your best option for driving in winter in a 4x2

 

Has anyone ever gotten the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo? I'm ab sold on this tire. I was thinking about going for the H/L Alenza (lux SUV tire) but, I want a more agressive tread and look and I want better perf in ice/snow conditions.

 

I put Bridgestone A/T Dueler Revos on my Bazer last fall. Love the tire. Great wet and dry traction, great in the snow and ice. Did not have to hardly use the 4 wheel drive this past winter. The old tires would spin and slip if someone spit on the road. These are the best I have found. The noise level from them is about what you would expect for this style of tire. Not real loud and a small price to pay for great traction. I have not had a chance to do much off road with them, but if they perform half as well off road as they did in the snow and ice I will be very happy. I know several people who have them and they all love the tires. Came very highly recommended from a friend that owns a repair shop and does all my major work. The ride quality is excellent, just as good as the street tires that were on the Blazer when I bought it. They only have about 10,000 miles on them, but the tread wear seems to be excellent, as I do not see any amount of wear on them so far. The Revo is more expensive than the A/T Dueler, but is a considerably better tire. Had the A/T Dueler on the Blazer before this one and there was no comparison in ride or traction.

 

our 03 explorer has revo's on it. Great tires. Grip very well. Would go with revo's. Worth every penny in my opinion.

 

Thanks guys! The size is going to be 235/70R15 on my 99 4x2 with the 2.5L and a 5spd.

 

I agree, the revo is an awesome tire.