I'm looking to get new tires for the '72 GS. I'm thinking about 235/60-15's up front and 255/60-15's in the back. Most people seem to choose the BFG's. Does anybody have any experience/thoughts on other tires such as the Firestone Firehawk SS20's? Thanks, Ron
Have done work with both firestone and BFG.... the Firestone's seem to wear out faster than the BFG's and dont seem to have the "All weather" capability like the BFG's. I've seen both Firestone and BFG's Manufacturing plants, tried both tires at Manufactures "Ride and Drives" and I like the BFG's. There more popular for a reason. IMHO
Go over to www.tirerack.com and check out some of the feedback on both the BFG's and the SS 20's. I plan on buying the SS 20's for my S-10 - $63 each +shipping. Currently, the Tire Rack has a $50 rebate on a set of BFG's. They are a popular tire. They do look good on our GS's. Click on the reviews for each tire. Scott
I'm probably going to go with the BFG's. The price's are about the same between the two. The major strike the SS20's have against them in my mind is Firestone safety recall history (Firestone 500's, Wilderness, etc). I looked at the feedback. I only found one where the person had owned both and they did prefer the SS20's. The interesting part of the feedback sections is that rarely does anyone admit that they made a mistake. For the BFG's, Discount Tire Direct seemed to be cheaper (after considering shipping).
I'm running 255-60-15 rear and 215-65-15 front. I like the look and have gotten a fair number of compliments on the combo. The 215-65 gives a nice obviously smaller footprint than the 255-60 but does not look like a "skinny". Handling and road manners are great. In fact I think I'll go fire up the GS right now.... later Oh yeah you can see my car in the readers rides section. If you start from page 2 and work your way back you'll find me pretty quick.
Ron We have a 70 conv. and GSX. Both use 235's up front and 275's on the rear. On the old BB I saw where others ran 255's up front with no claimed problems if the suspension was in good shape. We have Goodyears on the Gsx and Goodrichs on the convt. Based on expense I would go with Goodrich which is owned by Michelin. Firestone has had too many problems for my taste. You may be too young to remember the Firestone 500 (721 radials) recall in about 79. Their latest problems are not their first. Jim Lore
Yep, remember the 500, 721, and I believe there was one other recall prior to the 500's. I also read on tire recall site where people had experienced separation with the SS10 (predecessor of the SS20). I think I'll end up with the BFG's. Probably do the 215's up front, 255's in back. Especially with the $50 rebate, it's almost like getting one free. Ron
Ron, Having driven several of these things, with different sizes, I can tell you that with the addition of 235/60/15's up front along with a set of urethane sway bar bushings and end links, your car will handle very well. Unless your looking for the Big/Little look, I would advise on the 235's. The car will handle much better with the bigger footprint, and clearance issues are nil. BTW... you know that the 255/60's might not allow for third gear rubber at 90 mph... with your 3.08's... the trans is not set up to shift that aggresively, and for good reason. :laugh: JW
How About Dunlops? Does anyone have any experience with the Dunlop Qualifier TR? In some of the online comparisons, they tended to fare better than the BFG T/As. :Comp:
I've get compliments often and I use BFG's (white letters inboard, painted black): 235/60/15's up front on 8" rims, and 255/60/15's in the rear with 9" rims, no clearance problems at all. I would like more traction in the rear however
Dunlop I run Dunlop GT Qualifier 225/70 on all 4's.. 14inch rims tho. They're quite nice IMHO, good dry traction, impressive rain traction and quite ride.. I have over 10k on mine and still lookin nice. I don't strip tho, just street and daily driver. They hook nice, sometimes more then I want them to. p As I recall, they were cheaper then BFG's too... I choose them based on what one person I conversed with on the bca with and the comments on tirerack and discount tire.. Cheers! Scott
tire sizing :bglasses: I was able to fit BFG 275 60 R15's on a set of stock 15x7 rims. It hugs the wheel wells of my 70 Skylark nicely. It looks KILLER from behind with 13" side meats!!
I was told that they will stop making the ss20 style to opt for a INDY logo available in july. I was told by two different sources when i was looking for rubber myself. i may wait :Brow:
I think another reason lots of people use the goodrich is the white letters. My car had them from the factory and I will not put tires on without raised white letters. They add a certain amount of visual excitement even just slowly rolling by.... BTW, Uniroyal Rallye GTS 235/60R15 all around, works fine....we'll see what my 60ft times will be like....:Brow: later Tim
Has anyone tried Kelly Charger's? I had BFG's b4 and seem to think these hook up better that BFG's. I have 235's all around.
