General QuestionsGeneral questions related to 1999-2007 Super Duty trucks. If it doesn't fit the other categories, post it here. Gas engine discussion that pertains to all models is allowed. Specific gas engine questions should use the Gas Engines forum.
New Tires Bridgestone Duravis R250 or Michelin XPS RIB
Gonna be installing some steel-cased tires on my 2WD F250. Right now my F250 has some well worn Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires. The guy who maintains the fleet of the construction company I bought the truck from swears by the Bridgestones, I know Smokey Wren speaks highly of the RIB, (I have two RIB quotes already) I'm stopping by the Local Firestone dealer today to get a Duravis R250 Quote.
Looking at the specs side by side, the Duravis R250 is 5 pounds heavier, and Q speed rated to 99mph. The Rib is now R rated at 106mph. Both are steel cased and have a Highway Rib tread Pattern. The conditions the tire will be used in are Hot Desert Highway/City conditions and my goals are to get Maximum tire life out of the tires. I only have a small trailer (under 3000lbs loaded) so I realize these tire are overkill and I like a stiff ride and the feel and sound of my stiff riding Diesel Truck.
I'm getting the last of my suspension work squared away, installed new upper and lower ball joints and gonna install new tie rod ends and get it all aligned with the new tires.
Quotes Installed Tax Incl So far
Duravis at Firestone $990
Rib at Costco $1080
Rib at Discount tire $1100+
PHX
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1999 F250 Regular Cab 7.3L PSD 2WD.
If it has spark plugs or less than 8 lugs, it is not a truck.
On my F-250 I've run the stock Generals, BFGoodrich AllTerrain, Cooper Discoverer, Wal-Mart El-Cheapos, Michelin XPS Traction and Michelin XPS Rib. The Michelins lived three times as long as the el-cheapos and more than twice as long as the major brands. Last set I ran Tractions on the rear and Ribs on the front. But I don't need the Traction traction, and the Traction tread doesn't last quite as long as the Ribs, and the Traction tread costs a bit of fuel mileage. So this set I'm running all 4 Ribs. I'm a happy camper with Ribs at all four corners.
Note that Goodyear also makes a recapable "real truck tire" with steel cords in the sidewall for our trucks. Armor Max G949RSA (rib) and G947RSS (all season). Goodyear Commercial Truck Tires - G949 RSA Featuring Armor MAX Technology Details
They cost about the same as the Michelin XPS (IOW, expensive!). I haven't tried them, because I'm happy with my XPS Ribs.
The only thing wrong with the Michelin XPS (and the Goodyear equivalents) is the biggest size they make is LT235/85R16E. That's all you'll ever need on a '99-'04 F-250 or F-350 SRW unless you severely overload the truck, but some folks prefer a bigger tire.
I don't know anything about the Bridgestone Duravis R500 HD, but they do come is more sizes, including LT265/75R16E, LT265/70R17E, and LT275/65R18E. Sizes and Specifications
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My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; Ford Severe Duty Air Induction System (AIS); 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and Turbo Temp Monitor (TTM); Auxiliary Idle Controller (AIC); SP-Diesel exhaust brake and torque converter controller. Top Job front end replacement. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
Last edited by SmokeyWren : 07-02-2009 at 10:05 AM.
Reason: add links
That Goodyear Armor Max G949RSA (rib) looks pretty good too. I suppose that completes offering from the big three tire companys. I would assume that part of the reason the construction co has these type of tires would be nail protection, (I'm still finding nails in this truck and I've had it 5 weeks, dont drive behind me yet).
I buddy of mine in California and his father have owned a tire store for 35 years. He say's Michelin is top Dog. I would assume the three choices we have mentioned would all be great as they are Commercial Grade Rib tires but I'm leaning toward the Michelin XPS Rib.
I noticed the Goodyear Dident have a speed rating, (No biggie my truck sees 85 when I'm living on the edge).
PHX
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1999 F250 Regular Cab 7.3L PSD 2WD.
If it has spark plugs or less than 8 lugs, it is not a truck.
I noticed the Goodyear Didn't have a speed rating...
Probably not required on all-position commercial truck tires. But you can bet they'll be safe (if not overloaded) at any legal speed in the lower 48, which includes the 80-MPH stretches of I-10 and I-20 in far west Texas.
Tirerack rates the michelins ltx a/t 2 pretty high.
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'03 Eddie Bauer, Excursion 6.0 PSD (Bought New) & (All Stock), 4WD, 3:73 Limited Slip. 6.0 build date March '03, Premier group, video pkg, roof-rack (lighted), 3 pillar pod, Timbrens-on back.
I change oil every 5k (Rotella Syn. 5W-40), fuel filters every 10k (Ford Filters Only), air filter every 30K (Ford Filter Only), Changed trans. oil/filter & diffs. oils at 50K. Mostly highway miles & some around town.
From 5/23/09 - 6/19/09 At 62K miles & 9 months out of warranty, I spent $8K b/c of & getting this X fixed; 3 Ford Dealers in 3 dif. states replaced: EGR Valve, Cleaned Turbo Pipes, IAT,Map Sensor, ICP, VGT, (Cleaned Turbo -Compression ring still sticking), Replaced Turbo. On 6/19/09 I bought Ford Ext. War. 4yrs./48k.
The LTX AT/2 is a good tire, but it's a light-duty pickup tire - not a commercial truck tire. You won't find them on the Michelin Truck website. And they're not cheap, but they cost less than the XPS.
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New Tires Bridgestone Duravis R250 or Michelin XPS RIB
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