Wheels & Tires Semi-Tech General discussion of wheels and tires for the Ford Ranger.

Tire Choice Help

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Old 11-19-2010
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Tire Choice Help

I am looking into getting a new set of 265-75-R16 tires for the stock rims. I am not lifted and currently have 235-75-R16 Firestone Destination AT.

I love the firestones, they have great traction on dry or wet pavement and snow but leave a little to be desired in mud. I only occasionally go offroading so I am worried if a MT tire is justifiable.

Firestone Destination AT:
Worried that they are not aggressive enough

KM2:
Worried about the E load range and noise.

Duratracks:
Worried about the "floating" issue and tread life

So can someone please help point me in the right direction.
 
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Old 11-19-2010
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I'd get an AT if you rarely go off road. I'm sure most will tell you to get an MT though.
 
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Old 11-19-2010
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Is the Duratrack an AT, it almost seems like a winter tire. I see alot of complaints of poor handling while cornering but it seems the case with heavier vehicles. I am kind of stuck between the duratrack and destination AT.
 
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Old 11-19-2010
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I believe the DuraTrac is just an aggressive AT. I haven't heard anything negative about them when used on a Ranger.
 
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Old 11-20-2010
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I had Firestone Destination A/T's last time on my truck. It is true, they are not aggressive, but they are a really nice road tire and do well in light snow and even ice and had very very little road noise. But I am considering the Duratracs or these tires next...



Dunlop Maxx Traction
 
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Old 11-20-2010
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I just bought a set of Duratracs and am getting them mounted next week... won't be able to tell you much about the mud though, everything here in Alberta is frozen stiff. I bought them because a buddy of mine has them on his 2WD Ranger and really likes them. I'll let you know how they do.
 
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Old 11-20-2010
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I'd go with the duratracs. I'll have the same set up.
 
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Old 11-22-2010
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I'm rocking a pair of Yokohama Geolander at-s that have been great for the last month i've owned them. Great on dry and wet pavement. And so far no issues in the cold snowy/icy roads but i'll find out more when i head out to my hockey game tonight after more snow. I'd recommend at least taking a look at them.
 
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Old 11-22-2010
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Originally Posted by Marchy
I'm rocking a pair of Yokohama Geolander at-s that have been great for the last month i've owned them. Great on dry and wet pavement. And so far no issues in the cold snowy/icy roads but i'll find out more when i head out to my hockey game tonight after more snow. I'd recommend at least taking a look at them.
I have been looking at those in 31s for my post-lift tire. I saw mixed reviews for them so I am weary. Mostly problems with wear, sidewalls, cupping, and f;at spotting from sitting too long. The wear issues are my biggest. They are like a 50k tire and some people are only getting 20k outta them. But there is no way to know if they have been rotating properly or checking inflation.
 
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Old 11-22-2010
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Originally Posted by Masteratarms93
They are like a 50k tire and some people are only getting 20k outta them.
RAV4s come from the factory with those tires and i have YET to see a set last longer then 30K...and thats with rotating every 5K
 
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Old 11-22-2010
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Originally Posted by Marchy
I'm rocking a pair of Yokohama Geolander at-s that have been great for the last month i've owned them. Great on dry and wet pavement. And so far no issues in the cold snowy/icy roads but i'll find out more when i head out to my hockey game tonight after more snow. I'd recommend at least taking a look at them.
I have looked into those tires but they did not make the top 3.
I have chosen the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrack in 265/75/R16 C, I should have them on Friday. I don't actually need new tires right now but it makes more sense to put new bigger tires on now and keep it for ~5 years than to wait another two years, put tires on and only get two years on them. I drive less than 7000 miles a year so it is the age that is killing the tires, plus the siping is gone on the set I have now.
 
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Old 11-22-2010
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Originally Posted by Marchy
I'm rocking a pair of Yokohama Geolander at-s that have been great for the last month i've owned them. Great on dry and wet pavement. And so far no issues in the cold snowy/icy roads but i'll find out more when i head out to my hockey game tonight after more snow. I'd recommend at least taking a look at them.
Got their first action on ice and they did good. I didn't get stuck and only went sideways when i tried to. I just need a bit more weight in the back for going up hills and i'll be good.

But i will say this, the rubber is soft so if you live somewhere warm and drive on a lot of hot pavement i can see these tires getting eaten alive because of it. Most of my buddies back home in ottawa run these tires and they last them 50-60k miles. So we'll just have to see how long they last me out here in Seattle.
 
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Old 11-26-2010
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Finally got them on. $803.00 from Town Fair Tire. The downside is that they messed up the power steering by getting air in the system so every time I hit a bump the steering wheel would shake violently. After bleeding the air from the system it seems to do fine now. The only rubbing is on those inner fender A-Arm skirts. No pics until tomorrow.
 
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Old 11-26-2010
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Good choice. I love mine.
 
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Old 11-26-2010
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Just got the Goodyear Duratracs put on. 265/75R16 and I love them. I've got everything stock on the truck with no modifications and they're snug, but the fit with no rubbing. They really grab the snow nicely too... don't think that I could have made a better choice. I will, however, be cranking the t-bars and putting an add-a-leaf in the rear to give me a little more clearance because they do fill up the wheel wells.
 
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Old 11-28-2010
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Old 11-29-2010
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Nice
 
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Old 12-01-2010
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I like! The lightning style exhaust is pretty sweet too. Nice!
 
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Old 12-01-2010
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^ Thanks, has a stock 1991 explorer muffler on it now to be legal and pass emissions. It was much nicer with the full Bassani cat back, you could feel a power difference.
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The new tires are working great, especially off road. Now I am contemplating whether to regear or not.
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Old 12-01-2010
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I have Load range C KM2s and they ride nice. Road noise is not bad just perfect(Kinda wish they were louder). I think one is out of balance cause It makes the steering wheel shake sometimes.
 
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