Acceptably cheap tires?

Atlas · 2026-07-22T14:47:00Z

Looking at cheap tires for this project '95 Blazer. I'm seeing all sorts of brands I don't recognize. 235/75/15 are the size I'm after.

"Dirt cheap" (<$100/each)

Starfire Solarus (AS or AT)

Rocky Mountain HT2

Mohave HT

Westlake SU318 H/T

Laufenn G FIT

Entry Level AS (yes, Entry Level is the name of the brand!)

"Somewhat cheap" (<$150/each but >$100)

Kumho Solus TA51a

Ironman (Les Schwab)

Cooper Discoverer RT AT

Hankook Kinergy ST (H735)

Milestar Patagonia H/T

Toyo Extensa AS II

The only one that stands out is the Cooper Discoverer in looks and actual brand recognition for me. $120/each. The buyer for this truck will probably want a visual look of not a completely smooth car/highway tire and this one has slightly blockier tread.

Starfire is supposedly a sub-brand of Cooper. Mohave is a house brand of Discount Tire. The spelling bugs me, I've always known it as Mojave. Kumho, the name, still makes me giggle.

If I was selling it tomorrow, I'd probably go with anything in the Dirt Cheap category. But I may drive this around through the fall and my mind would be ruined knowing I'm rolling around on "Laufenn" or "Entry Level" tires, name alone.

In a world where *most* tires are now offshore-produced, is one low-buck tire much better than another?

txab · 2026-07-22T15:20:06Z

This 2 wheel RWD right? I had an 88 4wd S10 Blazer. Stock lift. After moving out of areas where 4WD was necessary, the next tire set was a passenger car type tire. Wasn't going to drive it much didn't want to put a large amount in tires. But it did look a little goofy with that highway tread design

I had really good luck with Hankook tires. 1 set for 1/2 Chevy PU. 1 set for Toyota Sienna and 1 for Lincoln town car. They all performed well. Pleased with the performance especially on the Sienna. The Kinergy replaced the model I had on all 3.

Cooper makes a good tire, I like the look of the tread since it does look a more "off road" ready.

I'd probably pick the Cooper for the looks

Any rebates on anything?

Used to be Discount Tire was the place to buy at any Holiday. They had specials/rebates etc... on sets. Haven't seen anything like that done in a good while. Just a manufacturer rebate occasionally.

Cooper tires are made in USA. Either Arkansas or Mississippi, iirc

Edited 4 hours ago by txab

asilverblazer · 2026-07-22T16:15:13Z

Long story short I ended up with a set of Ironman tires because of a wheel size change on our Yukon Denali - I intended for them to be temporary (no more than 12 months) until I put the tires I wanted to on it, a premium A/T.

However, they've been great, quiet, no traction issues, wearing even and very cheap here. They could use a better balance job from a slight vibration at 85 or higher. But so far, I've completely abandoned my original intention to not keep them.

I won't go so far as to say I'd immediately buy them again for a permanent long-term solution but if my experience continues like it has with them, I could come to that conclusion.

I was also told they are made by Cooper, don't know for sure though.

For your purposes on the little truck you're working with, I'd highly recommend them.

Atlas · 2026-07-22T17:16:02Z

1 hour ago, txab said:

This 2 wheel RWD right?

4WD. Far as I know it came stock with P's and not LT's. Definitely planning to put P's on it, but stock is a 109 XL load rating so I should probably stick within that guideline.

No rebates on anything I can see at the moment. Discount Tire is offering $50 off, but Pep Boys is very competitive on price, and also carries all the off-brand stuff. Les Schwab always wants an arm/leg, but they do good work.

It still has the original spare. Goodyear Wrangler RT/S, thing looks like a tractor tire LOL!! How times have changed.

Edited 2 hours ago by Atlas

Grumpy Bear · 2026-07-22T17:42:10Z

2 hours ago, Atlas said:

Starfire Solarus (AS or AT)

I have these on two vehicles and love them. Pepper is one of them

Atlas · 2026-07-22T18:02:45Z

13 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

I have these on two vehicles and love them. Pepper is one of them

Which one, the AT or AS?

Starfire is made by Cooper/Goodyear but at $85/tire I'd think I'd need to level-set my expectations that they may not even be round But you're saying they're decent?

I'm already into this thing $1506 in parts, fluids, etc. Totaled all my receipts today. $250 of that was replacing an EGR and MAP sensor that were probably fine, but I'm not going to return the parts since they've been installed. I'm cheap, but not that cheap. I use it, I keep it!

I may or may not make money if I sell the truck at this point, but, that wasn't really the point. And if I billed my time, I'd be hosed for real. My thought on the tires is I "might" put 1,000 miles on before selling it. I just don't want to put absolute junk on it, that doesn't do anyone any good. If the Solus solidly isn't junk, I'll definitely consider them.