</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by 99RodeoDude:
<strong>Any thoughts pros, cons?

Thanks every body.
Dave</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Anything, and everything, involves a compromise.
Wear. Durability. Handling. Dry Grip. Wet Grip. Noise. Size. Width. Fuel consumption. Braking distance. All these on-road considerations even between 'close-to-factory-size' tires by different makers. By the time you start to factor in off-road-worthiness (based on your degree of off-roading -- ie. frequency and terrain-type --) you've entered a twilight zone of speculation and subjectiveness that can be mind boggling.

Friends come in handy at this time, since there are likely friends who share a similar vehicle type, pattern of usage, and brand preference. Test drives of a friend's vehicle, discussions, with them, and here with members etc. are perhaps more relevant, although (probably) no closer to any objective truth.

It's all a feeling -- seat of the pants stuff -- and you are likely to get a 'right' feeling in a 'driving impression' of another person's vehicle. Suspension changes, body lift changes, tire changes, gearing changes, engine-related changes...it's all a drive-and-see thing.

At this time, you really want to be hooking up with a List Member close to you, preferably someone with a few mods. For it is a sure bet that your mind -- set, now, on something not too far from stock settings -- may change based on other vehicles you see.

Nothing worse than buying a new set of 30 or 31 inch tires, only to drive past a similar vehicle on the road with 33's...and think...damn I should have bought those.

A rather verbose

-- Bighorn --

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by CPetrak:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans"> The current tire size on there now is 235/75/15. I was thinking about a 30" or 31" tire and a 2" lift. Thanks for all the good advice! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">You can easily fit 30 x 9.5R15 tires on it, the current tire size 235/75R15 is a 29" tire. A 2" lift with 31" tires is a nice set up!

PHOTO DELETED in the name of bandwidth.

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Christian,

Those bars, that look like they'd also prove useful as a step at that level, look like they'd be slippery.

Has anyone experimented with a bed-liner-type-coating to give a rougher -- grip enhancing -- finish to the top?

I'm thinking...wife, daughter, and grandmother...and lot's of snow and ice!

Comments appreciated.

-- Bighorn --

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans"> Well I've been checkin' out tires on the 'net and a friend of mine has recommended Dunlop' Radial Rover RV's. I keep going back to them as a choice. He has them on a P/U and likes them. Quiet & good street handling charicteristics. Decent off-roadabilty. Any thoughts pros, cons? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I had a set of those on my pickup at one time. While their handling and off-road/on-road ability is good, they are not as quiet as you think. They howl pretty good on the road. After that set wore down, I went to Pro Comp muds. The pro comp muds are actually quieter than the dunlops ever where.

Richard

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Those bars, that look like they'd also prove useful as a step at that level, look like they'd be slippery.

Has anyone experimented with a bed-liner-type-coating to give a rougher -- grip enhancing -- finish to the top?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Actually I have since put grip tape on them for that reason. Others have used bed liner on the top for traction, there was a write-up that someone did a few months back were he painted the bottom and sides, and put bed liner on the top.
You should be able to find it with search.
I like the grip tape because it sticks up off the surface, however, if I ever have to re-paint these bars I will have to tape off the grip tape, or remove it and re-apply, with the bed liner you should be able to just put more on if they need re-painted.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans"> After doing a search in the Isuzu 4x4 forum I have decided on 30/9.5/15. With special thanks to Ashby and CPetrak. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I hope we didn't talk you out of 31s.

<small>[ October 02, 2002, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: CPetrak ]</small>

Dave,

Personally I like the Bridgestone Dueler A/T's. Recently they came out with a A/T Revo, which is got better wet traction (on-road). IMO this is an average priced, all around tire, with excellent on-road handling, and the abilities of an A/T tire.

I too hope we didn't discourage you from getting a larger tire. I just wanted to help you weigh out some of the pro's and con's. Have you thought about looking into getting some used tires, in larger sizes? Using this method is how I decided LT 265-75-16, is the best for me, and fits best on my truck. This way your not dishing out all that $$.

Glad to be of help!
Ashby

Actually I don't know what I was thinkin' when I posted my decision!?!?!? I meant to say 31/9.5/15. Opps! All those numbers...all those tires...AAAHHH!!!

Thanks...I feel much better now.

Phew! For a second there we thought we were going to have to shun you off the board <img border="0" alt="[Baby]" title="" src="graemlins/baby.gif" /> But you passed our tests!! <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> Now we can have some fun! <img border="0" alt="[Satan]" title="" src="graemlins/satan.gif" />

Totally just kidding!! Im glad we could help you out. That link was REALLY useful for me, takes the guess work out. IIRC it was for Goodyear tires (certain model) but FWIW its close enough to run across the board.

Ashby <img border="0" alt="[Pirate]" title="" src="graemlins/bppirate.gif" />

I think I may have become obsessed. After even more surfing I have found Pirelli Scorpion A/T's in a LT255/75SR15. They are recommended to fit 6.5" rims, are 10.2" w. & 30.8" d. Does any one know of a twelve step program for this sort of thing?

Thanks
Dave

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans"> Does any one know of a twelve step program for this sort of thing? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I think it'll take more than just 12 steps. I don't think you'll ever be able to get rid of it. Once you think your finally over it, it'll hit you again.

Richard