I have 66K miles on my Michelin LTX M&S tires. I have P265/70r16's on the stock 4x2 rims. I'll be needing new ones soon and I like what I have. However, when I got these, I went up a size from the 255/70's. I saw some 275/70's on a 'Burban, and they fit the bill rather nicely. I'm not sure if I want to go that much taller. I'm also condidering 275/65's which are .10 in shoter than the stock 255's but they are 11 inches wide vs. 10.7 for the 265/70's I currently have. I don't want them to wear quickly because they are too wide and I don't want adverse handling characteristics. I'm also considering the Cross Terrains.

Does anyone have any thoughts.......good or bad? Thanks

 

I've got a set of BFG Radial T/A's in 275/65-16 (the only tire I've found in that size so far) on mine now. They fill out the wells nicely, but I've only got 20,000 miles on them and the center is nearly worn slick. I've tried to vary air pressure to prevent premature wear, but no luck. I've found Goodyear Eagle GT II's in 285/60-16 and may try those.

 

The LTX M/S is a great on-road that can handle ocassional light off-road use as you noted while returning good ride, handling, wet, winter and wear.

Your OEM 255/70-16s (Goodyear Wrangler AP?) were 30.2" dia

Your Michelin 265/70-16s are maybe ( I'm guessing) about 30.7"dia

The Michein LTX M/S in 275/70-16 is 31.3" dia and isn't that much taller then the OEM size. It will fill out the wheel wells a little better too.

The BFG 265/75-16s that were recommended are 31.8" dia

What rear gear do you have? If you have the 3.31 you may not want to go any bigger then your current dia as it will effect you off the line response for the worse. If you have 3.55 or 3.73 gears the diff will still be somewhat noticiable but not a problem.

I am sure you know that taller tires effect your speed o meter as well as your odometer readings as the taller tires rotate fewer revolutions per mile then the smaller OEM ones do. Your current size has a small effect (60 mph indicated is likily 61.5 mph actual). The 275/70-16s would be more like 60 mph indicated = 63 mph actual.

Finally, any of these sizes will work well for you with no real problems. It sounds to me like you care more about on-road performance then off-road aggressive styling for your 2WD Expy. I haven't had the chance to try out the Michilin Cross Terrains (I go through a lot of tires on my company truck though) but I have heard lots of good comments from people with similar expectations.

BTW, check to see what rim width Michelin recommends for that size, I think the say 7.5" to 9.0" and the OEM wheels are 7.0" wide. Many a tire shop won't mount a tire on a rim that is not within the 'approved' size range for liablility reasons, although there are likily just as many who will and not even know they are doing anything wrong.

 

Hey fellas, remember the following site when trying to determine tire sizes and diamaters.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Petrol:

Thanks for the information. Sounds like I'll stick with what I know already works.

 

ExpyGator-

With the Firestone tire recall, I went with the Michelin CrossTerrains in the stock size. They are great tires and have performed extremely well in rain and snow. Coupling those tires with my suspension modes have produced some dramatic improvements to this SUV.

Also, I have 20K on these tires (rotating at 5000-7500 miles) and they are wearing evenly and holding up very well.

If you decide on go with the Michelins, you can't go wrong with the CrossTerrains.

Hope this helps...

 

Jeff:

Unless someone tells me something really bad about the Crossterrains, I think that may be the way I go. I'll probably stilck with the 265/70 size. I've been happy with the ride and look of that tire. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I can vouch for the Cross Terrains too! Great tire for around town, hwy and even towing big!