Firestone to Bridgestone Swap...Help!

[blacksab2]

I have a 2002 with the Firestone Wilderness AT's(P265's)....The truck has 6000 miles on it...I went to my local Firestone dealer to find out what it would cost to swap to Bridgestone Dueler AT LT265's....He quoted me a price of "about" $270 after taxes, mounting and etc...This was for only 4 tires, not 5, at $131.99 a tire(before pro-rate and etc). He said the pro-rating of the tires I'm running now was by tread depth, not mileage...So, I asked him to go measure them and give me an exact quote..He said "The price wont be any lower than $270"....So, tell me...Is this a fair deal or not? I've read of guys getting all 5 for around $200....Should I write Firestone?..I did get a copy of his "estimate"...Of course, he found out that the Duelers are on backorder and will take 6 weeks to get, so I have some time. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Tucson_02Silverado]

Are you aware that Bridgestone and Firestone is basically one in the same?

[blacksab2]

Yeah, I am....But, everyone who has got rid of Firestones and went to Dueler's  have said it's worth every penny. I had a 98 before this 02 that had Goodyears, and I think my 98 rode and handled better than this 02, and I suspect its the tires....I have heard/read nothing but bad about Firestones and praises over Duelers...

[Shaners]

The firestone Wilderness tires are made in Canada I believe.  I think the Dualers are made in Japan.

 

I made the switch to Dualer "LT"s on my 00' Silverado.  It made a world of difference in the handling and load carrying of my truck.  The "P" rated firestones have no business being on a truck.  They a basically a large passenger car tire and that's all.

 

I made the switch on my truck when it was brand new, and was given full credit on the stock tires, after I presented the dealer with the 100% customer satisfaction guarantee letter that I found online from Firestone.

 

However my Firestone dealer gave me the "on backorder" line too...  I called twice a week, and could not get any satisfaction from him.  I finally got a customer service rep from the Firestone/Bridgestone on the horn and told them I was getting PO'd.  The put us on a three way conference call, located my new tires, and made arrangements for the tires to be mounted.  I think I had about $30 each for the new rubber mounted and balanced.  I had all five tires replaced.

 

The tire dealer gets stuck with your old used tires, and has to try to sell them for a profit.  There is n't much of a market for those used tires, so that is why he is dragging his feet...

 

I got $200 for my 5k mile Steeltex tires on trade from a guy that sells take-offs.  I put a set of new takeoff Michelins on my truck for $300 out the door...  Not bad for a tire that my local dealer wanted $195 each mounted and balanced (and I'd still be stuck with my old rubber) !!!

[99silveradoz71]

this 02

Hmm...that '02 looks like my twin.

[RyanbabZ71]

i was going the same route (f stones to duelers) then they went on national backorder (tells you something about f stone eh?).  Well i waited 3 months and dcided to spend $800 on some larger bfgs.  No regrets here.  By far a great decision.  

 

Nice truck by the way.  

[RyanbabZ71]

oh yea this guy who use to frequent edmunds (havent talked to him in a long time) got the 265 duelers awhile back.  If ou wanna see pics go here

 

http://www.picturetrail.com/bco

[GreenRado]

Just a minor distinction here for those not familiar w/ the Firestone/Bridgestone relationship, and the Wilderness vs Dueler tires.

 

The Japanese owned Bridgestone company purchased Firestone some years ago, and let it run as a separate unit - not unlike what Michelin did w/ BFG (tires that is).  Bridgestone and Firestone don't share assembly lines, or design specs, to my knowledge, so to equate the Duelers w/ Wilderness AT's would be like comparing apples and oranges, in some respects.  It also appears true comparing the GM spec Wilderness AT's w/ the Ford spec problem Wilderness AT's but I, like many out there just couldn't trust them either, so I replaced w/ Duelers.

 

I bit the bullet and bought the LT Dueler H/L's, which are a great highway tire BTW, keeping the F-stones, knowing they would likely go back w/ my truck at lease end, and I'd replace the OE tires, whatever came w/ the new truck w/ my Duelers.

 

I highly highly recommend the Duelers, including the AT's, which will probably be my next replacement if these ever wear out!  I have ~ 25K miles now, and honestly they're maybe 1/3 worn.  

 

To address your question, I'd take Shaner's advice and get the regional rep on the horn.  Personally, I'd go w/ the LT's for peace of mind.  My 1/2 ton actually seemed to handle and ride better w/ the LT's vs the P rated!

 

my 2cents!!  

[TheScaryGuy]

I'd trust firestones before I'd trust an explorer.  

[GreenRado]

I think so too, scary.  Just a bad combination of problems on both sides!  

[blacksab2]

Thanks for all of the advice and info...After reading all of the replys, I'm glad I made the deal...I think I'll give the Firestone dealer some time to see if he can get them...I was standing there while he called around, then he called and placed them on backorder and  got a order number which he placed on my estimate, so I dont think he's blowing smoke...

[brhodes22]

I actually traded tires 5 days ago. 2002 Z with 300 miles on the tires. The tire dealer gave me 75 per tire for the Firestones and I put LT 265 Dueler ATs on it. The dealer sold the Duelers for 119.00$ a tire mounted and balanced. I wrote a check for $206 for the difference. I got my tires the next day when I told him to order them for me. Maybe this will help.

[blacksab2]

Brhodes...Did you notice any difference between the Firestones and the Duelers as far as ride quality and handling?

[Shaners]

I can answer that question...

 

The dualers were definatly a bit stiffer mainly due to the "LT" designation.  That is because the load range was higher and I expected that to be the case.

 

The handling was better, because there was less sidewall flex...

 

There was also more road noise because the Dualers were All Terrain tires and had a more aggresive tread...

[brhodes22]

Ditto that!