I have a 98 F-150 that is Light Prairie tan. I am getting new tires for it and I was wanting an outside opinion. Should I get tires with white letters, or just plan black? I have the factory rims on it and they are 16".

 

If they say "Rhino Butt Kickers" then, ok.

If they say "K-Mart" then, just skip it and get the blackwalls.

 

I hate scrubbing white letters to keep them looking good.

I swapped my white letters for blackwalls. My truck is white and I think they look better.

 

If you decide on White lettering and hate scrubbing, use a Brillo pad, (or somesuch silmiliar). One pad will do all four tires and it's easy. You can get the Brillo pads at K-Mart, just don't get the tires there.

 

If your white letters are truly grimy and brown you can make them shiny white again by running a rag with a bit of lacquer thinner over the letters. Regardless of how much gunk is on there, it will come off.

 

First of all, welcome !!
My vote is against white letters.

 

I'd have to question what the thinner would do to the rubber over time. I'd think it would dry the rubber out faster and then they'll start to crack. White letters are harder to care for and I find that good ol' elbow grease works best with an SOS pad and WATER.

I've always had blackwalls until my F150. Just decided to try them out for a change. I like 'em, but they look terrible if not maintained.

 

The lacquer thinner is only used on the raised white letters and no it does not dry out the rubber.

I have used this method a few times a year to clean the letters and even after 57,000 miles on my first set, the white letters were brighter then they ever had been with the use of an SOS pad.

When an SOS pad doesn't do the job, the lacquer thinner always amazes me.

 

In my opinion, definately go with the white lettering. I think my truck looks great with the BFGoodrich All Terrain A/T 's being able to be read on the sidewall. Too bad the K/O isn't white lettered as well. But not all tires look as nice as the BFgoodrich's white letters either, so it's a judgement call.

By the way, i use a wheel brush and purple all purpose cleaner,at i bought from Autozone,on the white lettering, looks great when done.

 

Didn't mean to criticize your white letter cleaning trick. I was thinking that you applied it to the entire tire. Not just the white lettering. Was just tossing out a question that came to mind when I read the post.

The reason I thought it might dry out the rubber was because I know that when I have my hands in the stuff, they get pretty dry after it evaporates (it removes the oils from your skin).

 

I also have the BFG radial A/T KO's. Awesome looking tire on their own. IMO, no white letters necessary. It's a very subjective thing.

 

White letter tires definitely look great on late 60's-early 70's muscle cars. For trucks, it all depends on how the letters look The large black centered white letters look kinda cheesy to me, so solid letters would be the way to go. BfG definitely has the best looking letters out there,(IMO) Get what "you" like, though, on top of all other descision factors. I go for the bigger rim small tire look, so white letters don't look all that great to me. Again, (MO),,,,98

 

Simple solution - get the raised whites and have the tires mounted with the lettering inside - then if you think you would have preferred the OWL's - remount the tires the other way

That should cover it !!

 

I'll cast my vote for the white letters. Been diggin' em' since my first set of Pro-Trac H60s. I will agree, they're a PITA to keep looking good.

Natty

 

I definitely vote for showing the white letters. There is nothing better than a clean good looking truck sporting some white letters on the tires.