2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission New 2WD Steer Tires

[AUrban]

I need new front tires on my 99 2wd 2500. The rears were replaced by the dealer with some A/T tire (goodyears, I believe) but they didn't touch the front tires (I've owned the truck the last 20k miles). I believe the tires are the original Michelin A/S tires. At 90k they seem to have done a pretty good job.



That said, I now have 4 tires in 2 different sizes so I'll try and get those all the same so I can have a spare that works! Any thoughts on good steer tires? I'm thinking the Michelin A/T's might be a good upgrade. My driving is 98% street/high-speed highway driving with some gravel roads and (rarely)two-tracks through the woods. Nothing too crazy in 2wd. I live in the snow belt and decent traction is always a plus.



I did alot of searches but most tire threads focus on off-road capable tires. I don't need a set of BFG A/T's on this rig...



Thanks.

 

[MMiller]

Are you just looking for front tires, that you aren't going to rotate to the rear? My father has had great luck with Micheling XPS ribs steer tires on the front of mom's F*#d Excursion Diesel and the E350 diesel she had before that. Lots of gravel roads and two lane highways. They are real resistant to rocks and highway wear is unbelievable. Plus they never come off the truck for rebalance, and almost never get a punchture. They run Michelin XPS Tractions in the rear of the Excursion and all the way around my dads 95 CTD 4X4. Very good wear and traction.



The only reason I run the BFG MT's is I like a little more aggressive tires off the beaten path.



Michael

 

[AUrban]

Are you just looking for front tires, that you aren't going to rotate to the rear?

I was hoping to keep the rear tires as they are still in pretty good shape. I checked last night and they are Firestone Steeltech A/T's. I've had these before and although they rode well, they were nothing special off-road. Of course, that truck was 4wd, my current one is not.



I liked the XPS rib tires. I though about getting an XPS Traction for the front tires. It looks like it might be better than the standard rib for the days I gotta drive in snow. I guess the question is how well the standard ribs do in rain/snow. From what I've found, they are geared more towards dry, highway driving.

 

[MMiller]

Well we have our fair share of snow, sleet, ice and rain, and that has never been a complaint. Course the last 15 years dad has been running those tires on everything so lately we have not had anthing to compare to except what came on those vehicles from the factory.



Compared to the goodyears, and the generals that came from the factory there is no comparison in handling, wear, and maintence when you step up to the Michelin XPS line. I guess what we worry about more around here is the fact that gravel roads will literally eat up tires, the Michelins are hard enough to resist this kind of wear. I suppose that will sacrafice the traction in snow and rain.



Good luck.



Michael

 

[David Wheeler]

Michelin XPS Traction

Just a little additional information to add. I too was steered to the Michelin XPS line. Bought 6 for my dually. After only 30K miles they are showing quite a bit of wear. Now, this vehicle is primarily all pavement driven, mixed city and interstate. They have been rotated and balanced regularily. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the tires in any way. I was expecting to get 80-100K miles out of these tires, but truly do not expect to now. With the tread left I now expect to get maybe another 20K out of them. At $230 per tire, we really have to do the math. Just food for thought... . not trying to leave a bad taste in anyones mouth. Maybe the ribs next time as my off roading is almost nill

 

[AUrban]

Well we have our fair share of snow, sleet, ice and rain, and that has never been a complaint.

Thanks, Michael. I just noticed that you are from Iowa. We have the same weather in N. Illinois (not sure where Fairfield is). Most of my highway time is on I-80 west to Nebraska (where I'm from). The Ribs look like good front steer tires and if you don't have much of an issue with them then I doubt I would either. The front of our trucks sure are heavy enough to keep them moving through the snow and I don't have much of a problem with a 2wd truck. It may be different if there were even the slightest hill in IL...



I'm gonna check out ribs for the steer tires and see what kind of price I get. I doubt I'll get a rib for a spare... . probably just something that could cover either front (rib) or back (A/T) duty.

 

[CEdwards]

Best tires i've ever had were cooper discoverers. 70,000 used and abused miles on gravel roads and fields and never had even one flat. still had some tread left. maybe i was lucky, cause i don't see too many people on here saying too many good things about the coopers. any one else have good luck with these? i finally bought a new set of the best daytona at's that the local tire shop had (it's a small town and there wasn't much choice and i was in a hurry). i've already been back 7 times in 6 weeks to get flats fixed and one replaced under warranty. i will never buy them again. I just need a good tire i can drive through fields and brush and not have flats everyday. what are some recomendations for that application?

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

I have had tons of Cooper tires and I love them. I have run dozens of SRM II 's on the front of 2wd trucks as well as 3 light duty wreckers (F-450's). We run them till there darn near bald and buy new ones. They are never rotated and rarely have flats. We run Cooper Discover LT 's on the rear and again they are outstanding! I haven't ever felt the need to spend 50 dollars more a tire for the other brands when we have so much luck with these. When it is time for tires on my 2500 4x4 I will be getting the Cooper Discover ST-C. They are a new cut and chip resistant tire with a great all around tread. Take a look on their website coopertire.com