Tires

woyster_00z71 · July 11, 2002

Well, I think it is about time to buy some new tires for my Silverado Z71. Currently I have the stock 265 Goodyear Wrangler RT's on there. Although they ride well on the highway, they have the worst wet weather traction I have ever seen from a tire. If there is an ounce of water on the road, you'd better be in Auto-4WD or you will be all over the road (or center median of the highway in my case a couple weeks ago...not fun!).

So anyway...I have BFGoodrich All-Terrain 31x10.50 R15's on my other truck and I love them. I also had a set of Michelin LTX M/S tires at one time. What would be you guys recommendation for something a little bigger (either 285 or 305) that looks better, has decent wet weather driveablilty, and isn't too loud on the highway?

Oh yeah, currently the truck is stock height but before the tires are put on I have plans of cranking the torsion bars with the F@*d keys and possibly a 2" body lift.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

B.J.

2000LTZ71 · July 11, 2002

Yokohama Geolander AT+2's in the 285/75/16 size, I have them on my truck and love them. they are as quiet as the stock tires and have a great tread design. the tread design is similar to an aqua tread design in the way that they have large groves for water to disipate and not let the tire hydoplane. check them out on Tire rack or look at them on my picture trail site. I paid only $440.00 for all four tires from a local dealer.

Hope this give you something to think about.

Randy

caddelma · July 11, 2002

I loved the LTX M/S I had on my Furd Ranger, great in the rain, snow, anything else the 2wd would go. They list a 285-75-R16 for them in the LTX M/S, none are listed for the LTX A/T BTW. Never had the BFG A/T, well liked though. If I had a 4x4 and not 4x2 that would one of my top choices, that or the LTX A/T. I am thinking about the BFG Long Trails myself, as the Michelins are currently out of my (says the wife) price range.

You don't have any pics of the 31x10.50's on your other truck do you? Checked your webpage and saw you didn't there, thought I'd ask as I am due (past due really) to get rid of these tiger paws and want something bigger.

BTW belated congrats on the house and marriage. Did the same last year. So much harder to buy toys now ???

Shaners · July 11, 2002

I just put a set of Michelin LTX M/S tires on my HD and I really like them alot. They are great in the rain and quiet on the highway. I'm sure they will do good on snow and ice because they have alot of sipes.

The down side is they are very expensive (at least in a load range "E" ). The local Michelin dealer wanted $195 each plus tax mounted and balanced.

The ones I bought are new/used take-offs from Dodge Ram 2500 spare tires. The are the OWL design. Cash deal was $125 ea mounted and balanced. But the best part of the deal was since this guy deals in take-off tires and wheels, he gave $200 for my Firestone Steeltex tires with 5K on them as trade-ins!!! I handed him $300 and left my old tires with him and drove away!!!

bscottb · July 11, 2002

Shaners, I have the same tires and they are awesome in all conditions. I had the A/T's before and they were great also but didn't ride as well as the M/S's

2000 GMC · July 12, 2002

I'm buying some BF Goodrich AT's for my Sierra. I'll be buying them before we make the drive from Anchorage, Alaska to Arlington, Virginia. I had them on my old Blazer and really liked them.

Big Bert · July 12, 2002

Does anyone have or have seen the new Nitto Terra Grappler. They look pretty good from the pictures but I wonder how the handle. I really like the Yokohama Geolander AT+2's and I have heard nothing but great things about them.

Paul_Aris · July 14, 2002

I have the Michelin LTX A/T's on my wifes blazer. They are much more aggressive looking the the LTX M/S. I believe the A/T's are Michelins most aggressive A/T tire. They are a bit more noisy than the M/S though.

I just bought BFG T/A KO's for my Suburban and love them. They are much quiter than I expected.

pstewart · July 15, 2002

Just my 2 cents - and I cant give you a long history yet but I love the ProComp AT's I put on mine. No road vibration, great ride and a 50K mile tread guarantee......

-Patrick

Import Hater · July 16, 2002

I don't know how well this will go over since the talk seems to be centered around all off road biased tires, but...

Has anyone tried or heard anything about the new Goodyear Fortera tires? I've always liked Goodyear and these new tires look real nice for the kind of driving I do. Pricey though. I think the OE size for me, 255/70-16 is around $125 a tire.

Rob

woyster_00z71 · July 17, 2002

Thanks for all the input. I think after all that I have narrowed it down to 3. BFG All Terrains, Yokohama Geolanders, or the Nitto Grappler's. It will probably depend on price when it come to which ones to acutally buy but I appreciate all your input.

By the way, everyone is talking about 285's. Has anybody put 295's on their truck? Will they fit with the F*$d torsion bar key lift without any rubbing? Both BFG and Nitto make the tires in both a 285/75-16 and a 295/75-16 size. Any recommendations on this?

Thanks again.

rikhek · July 17, 2002

I'm running BFG 295s on my 99 Z71 Silverado. I put them on BEFORE my 3" lift w/no rubbing or problems whatsoever. Also, did NOT crank th T-bars. They fit.

Rick

BTW, I don't think you can get a 2" lift. The only ones I'm familiar with are 3".

woyster_00z71 · July 17, 2002

I thought I had heard somebody talking about a 2" body lift. Anyway, 3" would work too.

Thanks for the info. What brand of body lift did you install? How much did it cost? Did you do it yourself or take it somewhere and have them do it? Just wondering.

B.J.

rikhek · July 17, 2002

1. Performance Accessories 3" Body Lift.

2. Costs:

www.4wheelparts.com $280

www.central4wd.com $226

www.jcwhitney.com $225

I believe 4wheelparts will price match the $225 AND they have a free shipping special going on. Tough deal to beat. They also come available on ebay on a regular basis for under $200.

3. I had a local 4wd shop (Sam's Off Road in Tulsa) install it for $300 out the door.

Rick