Tires for 4 x 4

[POINTER94]

I got my old bronco kind of cleaned up and I was looking at the michelins on it and they look to be cracking where the tread meets the rest of the tire.<br /><br />So I am looking at new tires which I don't want to do. I found some uniroyal liberators, and some yokohama's. The uniroyals are cheaper but the yokohama's I have had on other vehicles have been very good. I only run the truck about 5K a year, but I have replaced the tailgate and rear window and I am looking at doing the rear quarter panels which would, put her in rather nice shape. I was thinking of getting rid of it but she is paid for and runs great. Nice weekend vehicle.<br /><br />Knowing that I might be using her a bit more in the year to come, does anyone have any experience with the uniroyals? The Michelins were very expensive and they are 6 years old, but rotting out seems a little premature. Don't want to overspend again. I figure about $1000 for the body work, and about $300 for the tires. <br /><br />Can I buy just 2 right now and 2 more in a couple of months or will this play heck with the 4wd? Somewhere along the way I will need shocks, but they are original to the truck and I just can't see where they need to be replaced. But everyone I talk to say's they should be replaced. I assume they are saying this cuz they sell shocks or am I being niave? <br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

I had 2 Bronco's (sold one still have the 78 on the road). As long as the tires are the same diameter you should be fine. If they are not the same diameter DO NOT use 4wd or yoou could do severe driveline damage.<br /><br />I repaired the rot over my wheel wells with repair panels that were very cheap and installed them with 3m body panel glue. If you are handy the entire job including tires, shocks, paint bodywork should not run over $1000 totsl.<br /><br />The tires on my 78 are cheap wintermaster snow tires. I even installed them on cheap white spoke wagon wheels... If I remember right the tires and wheels were less than $450 total.<br /><br />I have probably replaced just about every part on a Bronco over the years. <br /><br />Shocks? Yes they wear out and your tires will show evidence of cupping not to mention the basketball ride you will have. I did not go fancy... just cheap NAPA shocks worked fine.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

i've got the dullars(sp) on this one at the house seems to pretty decent tires,i had the uniroyals at on my truck i didnt care for them that much,didnt get good wear out of them and a rougher ride it felt like,but that was a few years back.im opening up another thread about broncos and need yas advice,i dont want to highjack pointers thread.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

Hey Bob,<br /><br />I found the panels and I can replace the entire back two panels for $450 plus paint. The problem is I have little, no make that no skill at painting, and it is kind of a strange blue/purple color that I just can't match on my own. I also tend to move at my own pace when money and time allows. The back two quarter panels have fairly serious rust, but the doors and everything forward are fine...<br /><br />before and after pics:<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Check out the License plate, PW2 probably wouldn't believe it if I didn't have this photo. By accident only, I got the truck about 6 months b4 9/11...<br />

<br /><br />and what is left to do......<br /><br />

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

The tailgate repair panel is also available and not to hard. Is there a Vo-tech or technical school in your area? The tech students (High School) here in town will paint vehicles and they are not too bad.<br /><br />I painted both my bronco's in my yard (in the wind with insects!!!!) after I purchased a cheap spray gun. I did the body work, used epoxy primer and single stage paint. It was a learning curve but fun.<br /><br />The wheel well replacement panels are good size. They extend about 6" forard and back from the opening and the top extends past the body crease. I trimmed mine down to fit.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

Bob did you glue or weld your panels on?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

Glue<br />I used the 3m 2 part epoxy and glued them in place. Very very very little working time so make sure it will fit properly. Do alot of dry fitting and trimming first. When I glued it I had pre-drilled four small holes and inserted sheet metal screws to hold it in place while it set. I later ground the heads off the screws and hit those spots with filler as I did the repair edge.<br /><br />One good piece of advice... look inside the top of the wheel well and look for rust. There is a small ("cheap" hear that FORD!!!) inner support there that collects rust. You can fix that with a pop riveter and sone sheet metal (it is never seen).

 

[DJ]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

Pointer,<br /><br />The 4X4 doesn't care if you have mismatched tires, unless it is engaged. It should not be engaged on pavement anyway.<br /><br />I've never had any issues with Uni's. I have with Yoko's. The tread seems to be very hard.<br /><br />Since you use the vehicle so little, go with an off brand. Just make sure the load range is correct.

 

[KM2]

Re: Tires for 4 x 4

I would throw some used tires on to get by for now. Many of these tire places have good used tires with miles left on them. <br /><br />I have a set of Coopers on my ford that cost a little over $500 and I love em.