7000th Tire Post....

[NorCalDoug]

There was a small drop -- not as much as I thought I'd have; about a 1/2 to 3/4 mile drop. When making your new calculations be sure to get your miles covered from somewhere other than your odometer. I use my GPS to track true miles covered. With the increase in tire size, your odometer will be off by a small percentage.

 

[Brentbba]

Thx Doug, used the Miata tire size calculator that someone had posted a long time ago. Based on readings from radar trailers we have around and comparing that radar speed to my odometer, my actual reading on the odo is lower than actual. Using that info and the tire size calculator speed adjustment, the 285's will actually bring the odometer closer to radar actual.....if you follow all that.

Shiat - I fill up once a week at $45 a pop. If I commuted any longer, it would be cheaper for me to go buy a gas miser to commute to work with. And I've gone thru the basic calculations many times in my head trying to justify a Miata fun car for to and from work. hehehe Haven't got it figured out quite yet. Damn!

 

[tarbe]

My OME will be on this week....then it will be nearly impossible to resist the tire urge. Those darn Michelins have at least 5,000 good miles left on them, though!

It seems like 295-75 is a good compromise size, but the only tire I can find in that size is the BFG AT. The Goodyear/Bridgestone/Firestone/Truxus MTs all look good and rate well, but no 295-75...or am I just not looking in the right place?

 

[tarbe]

Brentbba

I thought about the second vehicle, but insurance is so high here in Houston I would have to drive over 60% of my miles in a high mileage vehicle just to break even! Not to mention the hassle of additional licensing, inspection, maintenance etc.

 

[Junk]

tarbe - just sell the LTX's to someone looking for a set and get some other tires

 

[97 FZJ80]

Shiat - I fill up once a week at $45 a pop. If I commuted any longer, it would be cheaper for me to go buy a gas miser to commute to work with. And I've gone thru the basic calculations many times in my head trying to justify a Miata fun car for to and from work. hehehe Haven't got it figured out quite yet. Damn!

A Miata is a fun car, with EPA mileage of 23/29 I get only about 25 bouncing off the rev limiter around town. A good early 90's model with low milage can be had for well below $5k.

John

 

[Brentbba]

John - used to own a '92. Traded it in for.......you guessed it, the Landcruiser. Had to when the two kids were big enough that they both wouldn't fit side by side in the passenger seat. (note for the PC - I only did this for about 1 mile in my own neigborhood from day care to house).

It was a blast to drive and I really miss the convertible. Had the hard top for 'winter' but hardly used it here in SoCal - only when we had the line up of Pacific storms off the coast and would have rain off and on for several days.

Complete hijack now - really wanted to get the new Miata turbo that's out now. About 170hp in that little car. Oh well - mid life crisis!

 

[Tools R Us]

Nitto Tarra Grapplers are also available in 295/75-16.

 

[Bradass80]

I'm on my 3rd set of MTRs, first was on a 92 4Runner 31x12.50R15 they lasted almost 50,000 miles, second set was on a locked 78 FJ-40 33x12.50R15 they lasted almost 30,000 miles, and i currently have a set of 37x12.50R15 on my 91 FJ-80 and have 15,000 miles and over half of the tread left, balance them and rotate hem often and they'll be your best friend, I'll never buy any other brand or type of tire, Brad.

 

[Rookie2]

How can a self-respecting LC owner boast about riding around in one of those girly Miata's. You guys disgust me! ,


Rookie2

 

[tarbe]

The OMEs are on! Sweet! I could feel the difference just getting in the vehicle - less deflection on the climb in. Definite improvement on the road based on the 50 miles I put on tonight.

Measured before and after and actually gained a full 3". Will likely settle some and perhaps the almost 8 year old springs were sagging a half inch...

I am going to have to do some fine measuring between my roof rack and the garage header...it is really close - I had my wife watch as I pulled in the first time. Her eyes got kinda big!! 295/75-16 may put me over the top, so to speak.

The 2/3 worn 275/70 Michelins look a little lost now! Ok, anybody in Houston want a set of Michelins cheap???

 

[semlin]

having gone with BFG ATs I agree with Riley. Go with two sets and keep your stock street tires Your only extra cost is a set of steel rims and you will save that by not wearing out the MTRs and also better gas mileage. The tires on mine were bald when I bought so I needed to make a decision fast. The BFGs are great by the way. low road noise, good offroad and on and everything. I just think it makes more sense to use street tires for the street and something else if you are hitting the trails.

 

[Riley]

I should point out that while it's great having 2 sets of tires, I'm finding it a bit of a pain to swap tires. I know Dan can do it in 20 minutes (I recal) but it takes me about 40 minutes. Plus those steel rims and MTRs are heavy!!

I'm finding that I put them on in the spring and fall when the fish are calling. Winter and mid summer I just leave the LTX on.


Also storing 5 tires is a bit of a pain in the ass.

 

[Mike S]

....my resistance is weakening.

Ok, anyone have enough miles on the MT/R to swag how many miles they'll be good for? F
...

I have about 6000 miles on my 31X10.50 MT/Rs - on my FJ60. The little rubber tits are now gone, but the tires show no wear that I can see. The FJ60 is a lot lighter than an 80, tho".

I have driven these tires mainly on long road trips, interspersed with back country trail driving in the desert and mountains. They are comfortable on the road and not as noisy as I expected them to be. It is important to get them very ell balanced and trued, so they will run longer and quieter.

I will buy them again because they are a great all-around tire, and have three ply sidewalls - important when driving the bad roads. I expect to get 35,000 to 40,000 miles on these tires. I have GY Wranglers on my Expedition (106K miles) and am still working on the second set of GY tires...

I will let you know how the MT/Rs work out after bird season - I am going to hit it hard in Eastern OR and WA this year, and expect them to serve very well.

Mike S

 

[Brentbba]

Rook - will it help if I told you I also owned a Porsche 996? Believe it or not - I preferred the Miata at 1/4 the cost. It's all about fun factor, or should I say sun factor with the rag top in SoCal.

Why shouldn't I be able to enjoy both a cruiser and a little sports car? hehehe