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Tire dilemma


Eagle
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Doing some brake work on my late wife's 2000 XJ Classic and I discovered to my dismay that the sidewalls of the tires are all deteriorated with a network of micro-cracks. The tires gotta go. It couldn't happen at a worse time -- my daughter (who is -- or was -- attending college in Chile) just tried to commit suicide -- again -- so I'm paying for institutions and shrinks, on top of losing her tuition for the uncompleted year of study. I'm looking for decent tires that will be good for mostly pavement driving, including snow. No hard-core off-roading -- I still have my '88 for that. Money is definitely an object, and I'm not finding a lot in my shopping around. To make it worse, I need five tires, because the Classic with tow package came with a full-size spare.

 

Well-respected local tire shop offered me Michelin LTX, Kumho something-or-other, and a Cooper I've never heard of. Prices weren't outrageous, but for me at the moment they were sobering.

 

Local warehouse club also has the Michelin LTX, along with another Michelin (LT/2, I think?), and a BFG Long Trail Touring. The BFG's are the most affordable of the bunch, but I haven't heard or read anything about them.

 

And then Wal-Mart has a tire I've never heard of (and can't remember the name of) in the right size for about $99 per tire.

 

One reason the selection is so limited is that the 2000 XJ Classic takes a 226/70R16 tire. A lot of manufacturers don't offer that size, either not at all or not in any of the tires I'd be interested in. Has anyone had any experience with the Michelin or the Kumho, or the BFG Long Trail?

 

I need to find out if the local dealer can get them, but one that interests me is the Cooper Discoverer H/T. It's available in the size I need. Has anyone had any experience with that one?

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I remember a thread a month or two ago ? Where you had extra/ parts vehicles and wondering what to get rid of , any of those have good tires / wheels ? The 15 inch rims would greatly expand the selection of new tires that you could choose from, or if you currently have anything with good tires you could run those until finances get better . I pray your daughter gets better ..

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What about a 235/70, or a 215/75?

I want to keep it original, and not have to mess with the speedometer gear. And don't forget it's 16-inch wheels. The 15-inch equivalent is 225/75-15 -- I have plenty of 15" Jeep rims around, but ... I want to keep it original.

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I've had the Michelin LTX A/T's (31") on for about two years now, maybe 12K miles, and I can't see a bit of wear yet. The nubs are still intact. I've had these before on other vehicles and they wear like iron. Had 80K on a set once and they still had more than 1/2 the tread left. They may cost a bit more up front than the others, but outlast most everything else. They are decent in snow (not that I care that much since we seldom see it), and outstanding on wet or dry pavement. They are very quiet tires too.

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I'm going to be a little different and recommend snow tires. :thumbsup:   should easily be under 100 each.  traction is phenomenal in any weather.  total mileage might not be that great (20-30k) but a lot of cheap tires just plain suck in the snow. :(  mileage be dammed... performance and braking is more important to me.  :D 

 

just be sure to rotate them a bit more often than regular tires.

 

 

and to show I'm not just blowing smoke, here are the snow tires I put on my minivan (back when I lived in michigan year round).  and yes, I would do it again. :yes:   (2 sets of tires is ideal, but if I could only have one, this is what i'd do)

 

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tirerack.com has some sets of 4 for 350 plus a 100 dollar mail in rebate.  that's a set of 4 for 250!!!!!  eek!  :eek:  (shipping and mounting not included, but still!)

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+Arctic&partnum=27QR6AMAXA&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Jeep&autoYear=2000&autoModel=Cherokee%20Classic&autoModClar=

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Cooper is just about the only ones that still manufacture all their tires in the good ol' usa.

 

Discovery at3's on the mj. Not sure if they make that size though.

love them. Wife said best tires we ever had on the tj. And she drove it 18 yrs with many different brands.

 

Best in the rain by far on the tj.

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The tires offered by the local shop (in the correct size) are:

 

Michelin LTX

Kumho KR-21

Cooper Starline

 

Discount club has Michelin LT/2. Their price will be almost exactly the same as the local guy wants for the LTXs.

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Sorry to hear about your daughter.

 

All we drive on is Michelin. As Don said - they cost more initially but are a long-lasting, high mileage tire. I have never had one leave me on the side of the road.

 

OTOH, we use Goodyear on the patrol units. They are prone to belt slippage (which the manufacturer will not warranty unless their approved shops do the scheduled tire rotations on) which makes them usually last on our Crown Vics, Explorers, and Tahoes about 1.5 years and 35-45,000 miles.

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I've had the Michelin LTX A/T's (31") on for about two years now, maybe 12K miles, and I can't see a bit of wear yet. The nubs are still intact. I've had these before on other vehicles and they wear like iron. Had 80K on a set once and they still had more than 1/2 the tread left. They may cost a bit more up front than the others, but outlast most everything else. They are decent in snow (not that I care that much since we seldom see it), and outstanding on wet or dry pavement. They are very quiet tires too.

 

This. I bought my current XJ with Michelin LTX tires and I don't think they ever wear. They have phenominal traction in all types of weather, including snow (I work for a municipality, so I leave for work before plows come out). They are super quiet, balance with little weight, and have a good all around classic look. I bought the Jeep with 100K on it, and it now has 140K. As Don said, it's like they never wear. Great sipes, great traction, very quiet.

 

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Rob

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Little late, but what about Firestones?  I just put a set of Destination AT's on my KJ.....235/70/16's, for $125 each:

Not offered in 225/70R16.

 

And the crap tires with the cracked sidewalls are Bridgestone Duellers. A friend had a similar issue with premature cracking of sidewalls on a set of Firestones a few years ago. I think I'll pass on them.

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Why don't you buy those square Goodyear Wrangler tires from Walmart? I know how you love those things.   :yes:

:yes:

 

Well, mine are still round, so I think you got cheated.

 

Yes, I do like the original Wranglers. But -- again, not available in a 225/70R16 so I have to look for alternatives. Leaning more and more toward the Cooper Discoverer AT/3. I've had good luck with Coopers in the past.

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