True, paint is cheap, but the last set of 50s wheels I did (which were pretty rusty) involved "sand/bead blasting" and powder coating. By the time you add in dismounting and remounting/balancing, it came to almost $100 per wheel. BTW, the powder coating was a waste of money as it didn't really cover some of the recessed places on the wheel properly...

Sorry 'Zip', did I hyjack your thread?

 

Hijacking a thread is ok, happens all the time lol.
Does the powder coating seem to be pretty tough though?

 

Yes, the outer powder coating is fine for durability (difficult to scratch) but small rust patches have formed, from the inside out, over the last 3 years. The worst places are where the inner part of the wheel is attached to the actual rim. I can't remember if the sand basted wheel was phosphated before painting - that might be the root problem. Anyway, I painted over the powder coating with Sherwin Williams automotive paint.

 

Thats a cool idea to paint over it. Keep it looking good.

 

I got 4 Telstar Trailcutters 235/80/17 basically a 9.50"x 32" they seem to be pretty good snow tires. I went about a kilometer up a FSR with 6" snow on it today looking for firewood. Hope it doesn't snow too much more as I spotted some good looking dry Beetle damaged trees. The tires cost me $1,220 balanced, installed, with tax. I got them at Tirecraft in Houston BC. The same company in Prince George wanted $1440 and PG is over twice as far away from me. Now I've got two sets of tires for the 6.4.

 

Thats right on, very unique size of tire too. Most guys go wider and taller, but for the snow I think taller and skinny is the way to go.

 

definately. less flotation in deep snow. a good set of studded tall/narrow winters are durned near unstoppable.

 

I just browsed over this post and damn near fell off my chair. I hate to say it but you got raped on the price, but thats understandable considering you went to Kal-Tire.

I've had quotes from a few different people in the valley and the average price for 285/70R17 were about $250-$350 for A/T's each. And for rim prices in 17" were about $150 for a no frillls no gimmicks wheel to $300 for a Teflon coated wheel. The problem with 18" wheels is that; 17" to 18" tires jump about $100 per tire and 18" to 20" will be a $100 more than 18" or $200 more than 18's. That is why I am sticking with the 17's. Now this is your Average customer price but if you know people the price drops significently.

Also Pro-Comp tires has a buy 3 get 1 free deal around March and October. Don't be fooled by other manufacturers 3 for 1 sales because Pro-Comp is the only one who actually gives you a free tire, all the others just discount thier tires so it seems as though your getting the fourth one free when they show you that price vs. the full retail for thier tires. Pro-comp actually puts thier tires on sale plus gives you a free tire so a set of 33's-35's will be just under $800 for all 4 corners. This was told to me by a friend that owns a Big O tire and sells 5 different kinds of truck tires.

 

Didn't get raped. Didn't buy anything. Like I said in my original post I wont buy any tires from them.

 

Lucky you.

 

I bought a set of 4 tires for the price of 3 from Fountain tire in Chilliwack. I got them for the price of three. I know for sure because I used to work in a tire shop and I am very familiar with goodyears tire prices. Well I cant say Im familiar with Kal-tire's different brand prices, they seem to be a legit 4 for 3 sale.

 

Let me see if I can post a link to show the Telstar Trailcutters M&S tread design.
http://www.telstartire.com/download.asp?preview=38
The 17" tires are considerably cheaper than the 18's I looked at.

 

I still don't know what I am going to go with, although I am leaning towards just a taller 16" with some new wheels.

 

16 inch are a great choice for cost wise, and availability for sure. A guy can get some pretty big tires in 16 inch!

 

I have now decided that I will go with a 16" or 17". (my decision for today any how, may be different tomorrow) I will go with probably a 315 tire and new wheels because the stock wheels are not wide enough. Going to wait for spring though. I will run my current wheels in the winter and use the classy ones for summer. I think I will check out some of the larger shops down in the Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley area.