Tire shopping

[appalacious]

Ok, I'm about to pull my hair out. I've been on Tirerack.com and other sites trying to find some good tires for my M1009. I'm pretty sure I want AT's and I'm pretty sure I want 33's. I anticipate revamping the suspension soon and I may put a couple inches lift on it, so I don't want anything less than 33s if I do that. Problem is, on tirerack.com all of the tires seem to want either 16" rims (which I don't have and can't find cheap) or 15" rims that are wider than 8".

I've been focusing on the "off brands" since I'm on a budget.

Any advice from the old & wise out there?

Thanks guys,

J


ps, I plan on going to Atlanta if I can get these things on there before the 15th.

 

[Zinlu]

Heyas J!

Give Kenny at Southern Commercial Tire a call. He's the one set me up with the tires on my truck when the old ones went south. He's got used/new and can order anything. He's right off I-475 at the Bolingbroke exit. Turn off the exit towards Forsyth and you'll see his place on the right.

ps, I plan on going to Atlanta if I can get these things on there before the 15th.

I'll be going too, it looks like. If my mom wants to throw me a birthday party like usual, she can ride up there with us. Gimme a yell, maybe we can convoy or somethin.

 

[appalacious]

THanks

What kind/size of tires did you get?

J

 

[Zinlu]

Mine were 285/75 R16 Yokohama Geolandars. They were used, but still plenty of tread and he hooked me up mount n balance and 4 tires for 150 bucks.

 

[appalacious]

of course, you have 16" rims so I still have issues with tire sizes. Any m1009 guys out there?
J

 

[Armada]

I've got BFG All-Terrains 32x11.5 and a 2 inch lift. Stock wheels.

 

[appalacious]

so are 32's as big as I can go with stock rims? Are there any off brand 32's that do good?
J

 

[rgguin]

J and Steve are you all members of the Georgia MVPA? I am a member, but not sure I will be able to make the Southeastern Fall Rally and Swap meet coming up in September 15-17 at the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Facility located at Falcon Air Field in Peachtree City, GA. Rally is usual pretty good.

 

[appalacious]

I'm not a member. can't devote a ton of time to this hobby right now. but I'll try to get to the rally.

 

[clinto]

Appalacious, you needn't be a member to show up and have a cold one with us!

 

[Zinlu]

so are 32's as big as I can go with stock rims? Are there any off brand 32's that do good?
J

Didja call Kenny? I'd be surprised if he couldn't get ya something in the size ya want. He's closed now, though, and won't be open again till Monday.

I'm not a member either, I plan on goin to the Rally though. I'll do some reading and maybe be a member by the time we get there.

 

[gasser]

To chime in
I got 32x10.5x15 SuperSwampers TSL's tires and USWheel 15x8 wheels from 4WheelParts in Atlanta. They fit well with the stock suspension and were a great price. Plus they look killer!

-graham

 

[alphadeltaromeo]

I like the look of these:

http://www.alfaheaven.com/Military Section/Blazers/Blazers-Pages/MC92.html

My 2 cents...

 

[alphadeltaromeo]

...additionally, here they are on ebay...for $275 and free shipping. However, not sure if that's a good price, as I've not shopped for them. Sure are aggressive looking tires though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LT-3...012QQitemZ220018705292QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[rizzo]

Mine were 285/75 R16 Yokohama Geolandars. They were used, but still plenty of tread and he hooked me up mount n balance and 4 tires for 150 bucks.

I have had these tires and think they are GREAT! I tried Bridgestone Deuler Revo's and think they are GREAT also. I will probably go back to the Geolanders cause they are cheaper.

 

[appalacious]

What about these?

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...=1986&cs=32&pc=28296&vid=003535&rd=15&ar=1150

Thanks guys for helpin out.


No, I wasn't able to call Kenny before they closed. I tried, but my work phone doesn't reach that far apparently. I'll hold off for another few days and give him a call though, the price you paid is enough incentive to do that.

J

 

[appalacious]

does this look like a good deal?

its from 4wheelparts.com

Armada: What kind of lift do you have?

 

[JCease]

I have been looking at tires in anticipation of purchasing a M1009 as well. A internet check at "COSTCO.com" showed 4 BFG A/T tires installed and etc for $507.96. Add in tax at whatever your local rate may be and thats what a total may come out to. Those are the 31x10.50 tires size which shows as a factory application. Might be worth while to check a place like the above mentioned because they have pretty good service plans and honor a lot of issues like road hazzard etc.

 

[Armada]

Armada: What kind of lift do you have?

J, I have a Superlift lift kit (front springs, rear blocks, polyurethane bushings) iirc from National Tire and Wheel (1-800-847-3287). With 2 inches of lift, nothing else needs to be modified. With 4+ inches of lift, you need to change out more parts.
I've always used the Skyjacker Softride lifts in the past, but they told me the Skyjacker springs would not hold a true 2 inches under the extra weight of the 6.2 diesel engine, larger batteries, extra alternator, etc., and that the Superlift would. Plus they were on sale .
I didn't NEED to lift the truck for the size of tire I used, but I wanted to change the look of it a little, and replace the tired out 20 year old springs.

For tire choice, I've alway used BFG All-Terrains. I have used the Mud Terrains a couple times though, but I mostly use my trucks on the street along with some light 2 track trail riding or in the snow, and All-Terrains are quiet on the highway and last a looong time.

As far as tire size, it's the width that starts to cause problems with the sheetmetal. For an even taller tire on an unlifted truck, BFG makes a 33x10.5 that will fit and they recomend wheel width to be 7.0 - 9.0 inches. The 1009 stock rims are 8.0 inch wide.
32x11.5 will fit a wheel width of 8.0 - 10.0. Their 33x12.5 tires have a recomended wheel width of 8.5 - 11.0 inches.

Keep in mind the 1009's have a 3.08 gear ratio, but having a 3 spd transmission with no overdrive helps at highway speeds. The 32" tires don't make much of a difference at all with the gearing characteristics, but you will notice a little difference with the 33's.

Now I'm not a tire and wheel expert, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn last night .

Note: Picture shows the stock springs compared to the 2" Superlift springs, and the truck with the 2" lift and the 32" tires.

 

[appalacious]

Thanks man, That price quote a few posts up is for the 33x10.50's. Your truck looks great of course. I guess I should go with the 11.50s- whaddaya think? Also, tell me more about the gear ratio stuff- what kind of difference will I notice?

J