About a week ago, my 2000 F-150 XLT 5.4 4x4 was hit by a hit and run driver. The impact was at about a 45 degree angle to the driver side front wheel well. The impact was pretty significant-it moved the vehicle sideways about 8 inches into the curb. The impact broke both alloy wheels on the passenger side, as well as the driver side, along with the drive and suspension assembly and a fair amount of sheet metal damage. Both front tires were damaged as well. After contacting the insurance company, the truck was taken to a Ford dealer, a preferred shop for the insurance company, who has a collision center that deals exclusively with Ford vehicles.

While talking to the estimator at the Ford garage, he told me that all four wheels should be matched. However, he also said that new tires only needed to be put on the front of the vehicle, since only the front tires need to be matched. The tires that are on the truck are Goodyear Wrangler's with about 22K on them. Should only the front tires be replaced, even though the rears will probably be about 3/8" smaller in diameter due to wear? Or is he mistaken and should all four tires match in diameter? Also, since I have never really liked the Goodyears (they are pretty terrible on wet pavement) and don't spend a lot of time off-road or in a climate where we have snow very often (Seattle) what would be a good tire for wet and dry pavement if I have to replace them all?

Thanks,

Dana

 

He's correct about only needing to match front tires. Each axle has to have even wear, but uneven wear from front to back is not a big deal.

On the other hand, I prefer to keep all my tires matching. If you have the extra $300 or so to get a new pair for the rears, I'd go for it.

As for which tires to get, you'll find wildly differing opinions here. If you want good wet and dry traction (and don't tow often) I'd recommend going with a passenger tire (as opposed to an LT).

If you want good road manners and off-the-line traction for accelerating on a wet road, you may want to try Goodyear Fortera HTs. They come in a P275/60R17. These also have a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty.

If you're looking for a good highway tire that's a little more "affordable," you might look at the Dunlops I have on my truck (see signature). They also have a 60,000 mile treadlife warranty. They're occasionally a little loud and don't quite grip the road like the Forteras (or a softer-rubber tire), but they're a good tire that'll last a while and won't break the bank.

But you have a 4x4, so I'd think you'd want some all-terrain tires. These are inherently going to lose some of the wet traction and road manners you receive from a highway tire. I'm sure someone else will come along, too, and give some different (maybe even contrary) advice. Nothing beats good-old research. Try TireRack.com for good selection and reviews.

Good luck.

 

Jeff,

After doing the research you suggested, I agree with your assessment that the Goodyear Fortera may be the best tire for my use. So, I approached the repair center with a proposition which would give me credit for the two new Wranglers against my purchase of four new Forteras. Unfortunately, they weren't willing to do it. A Goodyear dealer about eight blocks from my house told me that if I can get the Wranglers before they are mounted, he would give me full retail back against full retail on new set of Fotera HL's. Not a screaming good deal, but not too bad either. It nets out about the same a a full set from TireRack, only with a local shop "owning" the sale. I guess another option would be to pull the Wranglers off after the vehicle is repaired and sell them locally, using the proceeds to buy down a set from TireRack. I guess it just depends how much work I want to do trying to orchestrate everything in the process.

In any event, thanks very much for the advice, especially on the tire choice. It was very helpful in determining what I will ultimately do and also pointed out a tire I probably wouldn't have known existed.

Dana

 

If it's about the same price, I see an advantage in the local shop option since he may include mounting and balancing in his price. If you're really lucky it's one of those shops (like the one where I bought my tires) that offers lifetime rotate & balance. Find this out first. The other advantage is not having to wait for shipping.

But anyway, I'm glad to have helped.

-Jeff