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Jason Lord (Ronan)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2002 - 09:57 pm: | 
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I have decided to replace my worn Wrangles with some winter tires for the snowie season up here. Any opinions regarding decent snow tires for the stock 18" rim (I plan to use buy some 16" rims for offroading).
Jason |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 12:17 am: |
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Hi Jason,
You want snow tires specifically? Or would AT tires do? My BFG AT have been great so far (and they're snow rated) but I hear the Yoko Geolander AT's aren't bad either. I like the channels in the Geolanders and suspect they may actually out-perform the BFG's in snow but I'm just guessing.
A |
ema
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 05:42 am: |
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If you are looking for snow tires specifically, I've only found two that are carried in the 255/55/18 size in the US:
1) Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22
2) Dunlop Grandtrek WT M2
I haven't had any experience with either of these, though the tread pattern on the Dunlop looks very similar to that of the Dunlop Winter Sport M2. (I've used these on sports sedans in the past--it was a terrific tire.)
I found the two tires via the Tire Rack website. If AT tires will also work, the suggestions that Alan made sound great.
-ema |
Zak Ruck (Zak)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 07:19 am: |
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I know the Blizzak's are VERY good snow tires, but you have to make sure you get LT tires, as the regular 'car' tires might not be able to handle the weight of the disco. |
Bill Bettridge (Billb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 10:09 am: |
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Nokia always get great reviews for dedicated snow's - no personal experience though.
Bill |
Joshua Weinstein (Untrakd)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 10:19 am: |
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Dont go snow specific! You'll get around 10,000 miles on trucks like ours. I highly recommend the Michlin LTX M/S I have driven these in 3 feet of snow, without chains, and they performed wonderfully. I will never had another highway/ winter tire! I have 265/75/16's, a great size for the snow! |
ema
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 11:25 am: |
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With all that is being said about snow tires, I've got to ask:
How are the OEM 18" Goodyear Wrangler HPs in the snow? I know the tires are prone to cupping and have poor treadwear, but will I want to use these tires during a winter in the US northeast?
-ema |
MarkM
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 11:45 am: |
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I don't have any experience with these, but have been intrigued with the concept.
http://www.greendiamonddirect.com/ |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 11:48 am: |
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Ema, everyone I know who has had those tires (they are quite common to come on vehicles stock) has hated them in general but especially in the rain (not much snow down here). Based on what I have heard I wouldn't dare drive them in much snow, but this is just my opinion and I have no personal experience with the tires |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 11:52 am: |
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My stock Michelin XPC's cupped pretty badly too. But that could be because the previous owner never took care of the tires but not sure.
Just keep in mind Jason, if you buy snow tires now, you'll have to spend another $1000 in the spring for another set of summer/all-seasons. I wouldn't try driving through the summer/spring season on a set of snow tires on these heavy beasts. You'll probably end up cupping them or something. |
Jason Lord (Ronan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 12:07 pm: |
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I am kind of in a bind b/c my truck came with the 18 inch rims and worn Wrangler HP's. I am in the process of finding a set of steel 16" to put some AT tires on for offroading but the wife wants the 18" rims for the majority of our on road use. We get a fair amount of snow up here so I figured I might be better off sucking up a bit of the cost and buying some snowies for the next 6 months and then a set of nice touring tires for the spring/summer/fall. This would allow me to keep a set of 16" rims dedicated for offroad use and allow me to simply switch for the 18" rims when I am not planning to be offroad. I figured for the extra cost I might notice a significant difference buying snowies and then another set of all seasons in the spring (of course this means buying 3 sets of tires over the next year or so - not including mudders and 16" steel rims). The only other options I see are to buy a single tire at 18" for my year round road driving and a set of 16" rims a set of AT tires that function well for offroad. Wish my truck came with 16" now ARRGH! |
Milan (Milan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 08:20 pm: |
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How about a good set of 18" ATs or other street tires and a set of 16" MTs for off-road? Almost any AT will be better in snow than the stock tires were and you won't have the wear and swap issues as you will if you buy snow tires.
Seems simple to me. |
Jason Lord (Ronan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 09:34 pm: |
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Milan - Aside from the cost and hassle of swapping the road tires at the end of winter, what other wear issues are you referring to? Since I won't be using the 18" off road I was wondering if the snowies and then a more efficient and smoother riding touring tire in the spring/summer/fall might provide a more comfortable ride on road. I agree with the MT's or AT's as off road. What do you think about the ride of AT's on road during the warmer months versus a more dedicated touring tire? Glad for some input btw. Thanks
Jason |
Rich Lee
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 09:36 pm: |
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Jason,
I think you 2-tire setup is the solution.
For now, seriously consider the 255/55-18 Pirelli Scorpion ST. Like the Michelin XPC (no longer available in 18") it is a very good 55 series "all terrain" tire for every situation, except mud. Even in mud, it will outperform the Goodyear HP's, especially if you "slew" the steering wheel back & forth to get the shoulder lugs to "paddle" your way through. They also work better than the Goodyear HPs in all other conditions. This would be a great "year-round" tire for everything except mud and sharp, loose rocks (little rim protection). The Scorpion ST's should also work quite well in snow. At $120 to $130 each from the tire rack, you can't go wrong.
When the snow turns to mud this spring, get a set of 5 16x7" steel wheels (about $475/5) and 5 Dunlop Rover RT's in 245/75-16 (about $465/5)
You will need to consult other D2 owners about the need for trimming with these tires, and your wife way not approve of that. You could also go with the 225/75-16 RT's with no trimming required. If you wanted to spend more for a dedicated mud tire, and maybe not trim, go with the 255/70-16 goodyear MTRs at $775/5.
Good Luck,
Rich |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 09:45 pm: |
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Rich,
Are your prices in US dollars? |
Jason Lord (Ronan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 09:48 pm: |
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Rich - Thanks for your suggestions. The winter tire I was looking at was the Pirelli Ice and Snow (about $260 Canadian). The ST loooks like a nice all terrain tire. If I don't compromise too much snow grip and yet maintain a nice road feel to them they probably would be the best solution and save my pocketbook a little next spring. We get a fair bit of snow up here but a lot of slush and rain as well so the ST may be a good option for me. Bloody poor selection for the 18" rims up here. You figure the Pirelli's will do better than the Wranglers under most normal conditions ie/ wet slushy dry etc? Thanks again. Now if I could only find some 16" steel rims north of the border I would be happy haha.
Jason |
ema
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - 10:07 pm: |
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I think you folks have talked me into the Pirelli Scorpion S/T tires as well. $120 US isn't bad, especially since the Michelins I looked at were $172 and $192 (Pilot LTX and 4x4 Synchrone). Now the question is whether I wear down the OEM tires first (only 1200 miles on them) or just switch over in preparation for winter.
Thanks for the great discussion.
-ema |
Milan (Milan)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 11:51 am: |
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Jason, I was talking about wear on the winters and cost of 2 18" sets and swapping winters for something else. Like I said, if you get a good AT it will be better in the snow than any touring tire and it will "tour" better than you think. Unfortunatelly neither GY nor BFG make an 18" MT/R od AT/KO as far as I know.
Anyway, I think people fuss about tires too much. I prefer tires that are as all-around as possible for most driving and wheeling. Many people here mention cross-country wheeling trips so would you not wnat to have the most off-roadable tire you can get away with on the road? You can still have trail dedicated tire on another set of rims.
This to me rules out all those touring tires. I think many people are afraid to step "up" to AT/MTs because they are afraid of road noise and degraded high speed performance. I think that for the speeds a disco can be driven safely at, any of the tires mentioned below will do and the noise is negligeable.
I myself only consider Goodyear MT/R, BFG AT, Dunlop Rover AT, Bridgestone Dueler AT for all-around. Their MT equivalents are better on the trail but need to be siped (and studded) to be also good on icy roads. Coincidentally, General Grabber MT studed and siped (33x12.50R15 in our case) seemed to perform better on icy/snowy roads and off-road than any tire I have seen so far. But the sidewalls are rather thin and there's the added cost of siping and studding. Then again in a 245/75R16 they might be thick enough.
This is just my very biased opinion and I don't know if any of the tires mentioned come in 18" size, so my point may be moot. |
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