'01 Ranger 2WD Tires?

[CharBaby]

Similar to this recent post from member - PW01

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-fear-i-may-have-over-researched.206096/

I have a friend that is looking for a nice set(4) tires for his 2001 Ranger 2wd(unlike PW01's 4wd Ranger). The criteria is similar but, NO AT tires.

My buddy is looking for tires that are quiet, nice riding(but, for a Ranger, not a car tire), good highway tracking and will travel through the snow/ice of W.NY State.

In the 12 yrs of ownership, he has never felt the need for 4wd in the Ranger. But, with good tire & 350lbs in the back of the bed, 2wd is fine.

He doesn't tow with the truck/RANGER but, will make the occassional trip to the hardware store so, this is of little factor.

He's looking for a nice tire without spending Michelin money on the tire. Decent longevity is important but, ULTIMATE longevity is not.

With only some mild research and what I have learned here at Bob's, I have recomended to him(price dependent):

Cooper Discovery ****
Firestone Destination LE/2
General Grabber ****
Kumho Road Venture ****
Michelin LTX MS/2(cost no option)

Need a little help here as my Truck/SUV tire experience is ****

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Goodyear Wrangler Radial?

 

[bullwinkle]

I would second the Wrangler, esp. the Wrangler HT, we've had good luck with those. OTOH, had BAD luck with the Kumho Road Venture ATs (noisy & poor tread life), and the General Grabbers have been bad as well (set I had were really poor in snow/ice).

 

[larryinnewyork]

I have a 2002 Ford Ranger.
Live in Western New York.

When I bought my Ranger (new), it came with:
Goodyear Wrangler RT/S ...... P235/75R15

I ended up getting 105,393 miles on them.
When replacing, I bought the same tire.

Yes, at 10 years old, they had dry-rot.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Weren't the RT/S pretty bad in all conditions? Apparently that is what my Cherokee came with from the factory.

I like the old GY Wrangler Radial that Walmart still sells. Came on jeeps for ages and decent in the snow and all around.

 

[ddtmoto]

I just installed a set of US made Cooper Discovery H/T on 1/2 ton Ram. I am happy so far, 60k mile tire, silent, no tram/tracking, handle well and much less money than the Michelins I took off. The LTX's were amazing tires, almost half for the Coopers.

 

[CharBaby]

I'm not sure the size of the tire but...I think they're 225-70-15 but, could they be 14" ???

I believe he mentioned that the Wranglers were too loud on his Ranger in the past but, I'll have to ask him today!

I will also ask him, what tires he had in the past that he did like and maybe go with those again(if still available).

I think that cost may be a factor but, I didn't want to get too personal(divorce). Shhhh!

 

[meep]

Very happy with the Dest. LE2's. they are getting neck and neck reviews with the michelins, and at least when I bought mine had a slight edge per tirerack user surveys. And less cost. I haven't had mine in snow, but they are very good in the rain, and in winter rain.

 

[hypervish]

I hated the Goodyear Wranger HP's I had. They were garbage!

I'd go with the Destination LE2's.

I had the original LE's and they were fantastic tires, I now wish I bought the LE2's instead of the General Grabber HTS.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
I have a 2002 Ford Ranger.
Live in Western New York.

When I bought my Ranger (new), it came with:
Goodyear Wrangler RT/S ...... P235/75R15

I ended up getting 105,393 miles on them.
When replacing, I bought the same tire.

Yes, at 10 years old, they had dry-rot.

My Ranger also had Wrangler RT/S tires when new. They were good on dry pavement, horrible any other time. They hydroplaned VERY easily. Driving on the highway in the rain was a scary white-knuckle experience. Taking off from a stoplight in the rain required very gentle throttle input or else the truck would spin the tires and fishtail all over the place. They wore extremely well, but I almost wished they wore out sooner so I would have an excuse to replace them. Finally I had a blow-out on the highway which, in the tire's defense, I think was caused by a small piece of debris in the road. I sold two of the tires on Craigslist, since they still had a good amount of tread left. One tire was obviously trash, and the last I used as a new full-size spare.
I replaced them with Michelin LTX M/S2s and couldn’t be happier with their performance. They wear just as well without the scary traction issues.

 

[PW01]

I would suggest the Firestone Destination LE2, I picked those for a friend's 2WD Escape and he loves them. The Goodyear Wrangler RT/S is the worst tire I have ever owned

 

[CharBaby]

Thank you all for your opinions! I'll post when he makes his choice though, the Destination LE/2 aren't sold at DTD so, there will be no Black Friday Sale for him if he chooses the LE/2s.

The Tire Rack has(225-70-15) for $103/tire + $58 shipping and ~ $70 W*M install. This may be a little steep for an '01 Ranger at $535 when all is complete.

Although I think it's a good price, it's not my money!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
The Tire Rack has(225-70-15) for $103/tire + $58 shipping and ~ $70 W*M install. This may be a little steep for an '01 Ranger at $535 when all is complete.


Firestone Complete Auto Care sells the Destination LE2 for $104.99 each. No shipping, so consider them to be $419.96 "delivered". Installation including balancing and new valve stems is $62 (at least in my zip code). That's only $482 out the door. Even if you add state tax, you're still likely less than Tire Rack, and you have a brick-and-mortar store to visit if you have any problems.

(I have found that it's very rarely cheaper to buy tires online.)

 

[Ken2]

Simpletire.com has those tires for $447 delivered. There might be better on-line prices--keep shopping.

 

[CharBaby]

Thanks guys!

 

[CharBaby]

I have a feeling that the cost of the Dest LE2's are going to be out of his price range but, the tires themselves sound/seem to meet his criteria.

We're going to call the local Firestone Service Center and get a price quote as he'd prefer to buy local instead of OnLine

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I have a feeling that the cost of the Dest LE2's are going to be out of his price range but, the tires themselves sound/seem to meet his criteria.

We're going to call the local Firestone Service Center and get a price quote as he'd prefer to buy local instead of OnLine

EDIT/Addition:

It looks as though our local Firestone Service Center has the best installed price, which matches anything online with a W*M install after taxes. This is the way to go!

 

[Sayjac]

As you mentioned BF is coming to DTD in a few weeks, so the best installed price information may change. Using instant rebate and Care One Credit Card rebate, currently looks like ~$55 off the DTD listed price on set of 4, not including any specific tire brand rebates. If pattern follows, I'd expect ~$100 BF rebate on a set of four. Not trying dissuade the Firestone purchase, just something to keep in mind.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
As you mentioned BF is coming to DTD in a few weeks, so the best installed price information may change. Using instant rebate and Care One Credit Card rebate, currently looks like ~$55 off the DTD listed price on set of 4, not including any specific tire brand rebates. If pattern follows, I'd expect ~$100 BF rebate on a set of four. Not trying dissuade the Firestone purchase, just something to keep in mind.


I'm sorry! I didn't have enough coffee this morning

I am missing something in your reply...BF?

The Dest LE2's are not sold at DTD. Are you refering to BF Goodrich? If so, which ones?

 

[Sayjac]

Black Friday DTD sale. True Firestone not sold there, but perhaps one of the other higer rated alternative choices could be put into consideration with a sizable BF rebate.

Again though, not trying to disuade the Dest purchase, just pointing out possible alternative choice savings. Choices do seem limited in that size though.