Tire options/recommendations

[Robert]

Hello:

I have an '88 Grand Wagoneer. Stock 15" wheels. I am looking for recommended tire sizes I can use.

I know the 235/75R15 are the stock recommendation, but they are awfully narrow tires. Wider tires that are rated for towing as well are what I am looking for. Thanks!

[SpruceMoose]

i'm using BFG radial all terrains in 30x9.5 size. they look great, and i've got 50,000 miles on them. they will make another 5k before they fail inspection in 3 months. they are rated for 40,000. 31x10.5 will also fit, assuming no sag in the springs. they might rub with extreme articulation, or steering all the way to one side. with a 3-4 inch lift, no problem.

bfg has an upgraded version out now, the a/t KO. rated at 50kmi, i believe. but i am going with the house brand from costco, made by BFG (michelin). 30 bucks cheaper. each. with a 60kmi treadwear warrentee. i hope to get 75k out of them.

[fas2c]

I am running 31x10.5's w/ a sagging stock suspension. I haven't wheeled it hard, but no rubbing at all really.
fas2c

[graham]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fas2c:
I am running 31x10.5's w/ a sagging stock suspension. I haven't wheeled it hard, but no rubbing at all really.
fas2c<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Robert, I run 31x10.5x15's as fas2c, have done some moderate off roading, no rubbing as yet, spring just a tad saggy!!

[JeepFreak]

I also have ran 31x10.5 on a 85 Wag with some spring sag with very minor rubbing.

[Dutch]

Robert,

On my 87 GW I have run Michelin's, Mickeys (less than 3K), Goodrich AT's, Goodrich MT's and Goodrich Long Trail's (current). Had it to do over again? For mostly highway and reasonable towing... the Long Trails... hands down. For moderate off-road to relatively severe off-road I would use the Goodrich AT's. I will not mount up a set of MT's from any manufacturer again. The traction is outstanding (as is the safety/comfort value) but the on-road noise is ridiculous. I do about 35K a year with some pretty good mudding involved (new construction project sites) and I have found that if I really needed MT's I really didn't need to be there in a stock lift GW.

BTW, all brands/types were 30-9.50's with no rubbing (my springs are about 4 years old with no sag, your situation may be different). Also if you have access to a Sam's or Costco wholesale those Long Trail's are about $60.00 apiece with mounting.

$.02 worth and good luck smile.gif

Dutch

[WINGO]

Your maximum tire width with the stock rims is 10.5"

Try this link to the Pep Boys site. It contains a few charts showing rim width to tire width.
http://www.pepboys.com/tires/peptires/truck/

Good Luck!

[ July 04, 2001: Message edited by: WINGO ]

[ July 04, 2001: Message edited by: WINGO ]

[Snakeyes_Tx]

(Girlish scream) You mentioned Pep (Pop) Boyz! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: tongue.gif

[ July 04, 2001: Message edited by: Snakeyes_Tx ]

[porchpiggy]

I'm no expert, and I don't want to sound like one, but one thing I've seen in the years I've been around is people buying tires that don't really match the actual driving they do. Dutch has some really good points about matching your type of driving with what you actually need. Some guys here are into some serious mud and rocks, and MT's are what they need, some (like me) are more geared to moderate trails with occasional tough obstacles, and a lot of road driving / towing / winter weather stuff, and AT's work better with less road noise. I have a set of BFGoodrich AT's I really like on my suburban, but they make a little road noise too. The long trail type tires are good if you drive mostly on road, maybe down to the fishing hole now and then, things like that. Any LT tire 235 and up will give you more than enough towing capacity you prob need, should exceed your trucks limits anyway. I've seen too many guys want the biggest beefiest mud tires they can find, only to hate driving their truck on the road, which for a lot of us is most of the time. Basicly, mud tires are great in mud and rocks, and deep snow, but make a lot of road noise (some worse than others) and can be scary on wet pavement and ice (mostly on lighter vehicles), all terrains make less road noise, are something of a compromise in mud ( my BFG do fairly well, but pack up and won't spin clean very easy) great in dirt, snow, ice, and wet pavement (because of the tread siping), and some of the SUV type tires, like the long trails are quieter and maybe less capable off road than AT's. Hope this doesn't sound like I'm ranting or anything, this is kind of a soap box issue with me, but it is just my opinion.