Looking For A New Set of Tires - White Letters

I am going to need a new set of tires for my truck this year.  I REALLY like the white-letter Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires my truck has now, but Firestone stopped making this style a few years ago.

I like the classic BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, but I have BF Goodrich All-Terrain white-letter tires on my Jeep Wrangler, and would like something with a different look.

White letter tires are hard to find, apparently.  Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

Lariat,

What size rubber are you running now? 15" selections aren't what they used to be.

I'm running Cooper Cobras 275/60/15 on 15x8 Cragar Soft-8 black steelies. I believe they also make them in 245/60/15 if that's what you're running?




I was specifically looking for the 275/60/15 RWL tires, and if I recall correctly, I basically only had three options. BFG T/A's, Cooper Cobras, or Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST. There will be more options in other sizes, but these were the three RWL 60 series tires I had to pick from;).

Say, those tires look good on your truck, Rembrant. And might I add that your truck looks GREAT!

That's a WIDE tire you have.  What size wheel do you have?  I am curious:  why didn't you go for the BFG tires?  Everyone seems to really like that tire.

I currently have 255/70/15.  This size works well on my 8" wheel, and I would like to get new tires in this same size.

LARIAT 85 wrote

I currently have 255/70/15.  This size works well on my 8" wheel, and I would like to get new tires in this same size.

Oh wow...I don't think I even knew that sized existed. Interesting. I was wondering what size tires you were running. I could tell that they were "fatter" than stock 235/75/15's, but I was pretty sure they were different than mine.  

I'm also a big fan of the old classic raised white letter tires, but wanted something different than the BFG T/A's.

LARIAT 85 wrote

That's a WIDE tire you have.  What size wheel do you have?  I am curious:  why didn't you go for the BFG tires?  Everyone seems to really like that tire.

Funny, it was advertising at work Lariat...lol. I was watching a lot of Roadkill episodes, and at the time, they were putting white lettered Cooper Cobras on everything (They were a show sponsor of course). Thought I'd give 'em a try.

That tire size was the idea of my local tire shop.  About 10 years ago, I went in specifically to get the tires that you see in my pictures, but in the stock size.  The stock size was 235/75/15, but I was told they were getting hard to find in that size with white letters.  The shop recommended 255/70/15, which is a hair taller but a bit wider.  (But not as wide as yours!) I like the proportions, and they are available in the BFG and the Cooper Cobra's you have.  I don't think I care for the look of the Mickey Thompson tires.

I REALLY like the way the white letter tires look on your truck.  Any complaints or regrets on your tire selection?

LARIAT 85 wrote

I don't think I care for the look of the Mickey Thompson tires.

I REALLY like the way your tires look.  Any complaints or regrets?

Yeah, I was the same on the Mickey Thompsons. They're OK, but they're weren't my first choice. When I was looking around, I was finding quite a few pics of trucks with the Cooper Cobras, and I liked the letters, and the tread pattern. Like this one below...



I have no complaints at all. I've put a little over 3000 miles on them, and they're wearing perfectly even. I was lucky in the sense that they 275/60's just happen to be the exact same OD as the 215/75/15 stock tires that were on my truck, so my speedo is still bang on.

I like the style you guys are using. Both are very nice trucks.

I'm glad I can see those Cragars on your flareside. Been thinking of going with Cragar 365 V-5's on my Bronco next time I need tires, and the budget hasn't taken the usual hits!

Those Cragars are a good choice too I think.

It's funny, one of the younger guys at the tire shop I use said, and raised white letters in right? I said no, I want them out. He smiles and says no one does that anymore. I said I do.

We both watched them pull our Suburban up when they were done, and he says, man those look good!

Thanks, Grumpin.

I never understood why anyone would buy a tire with white letters, only to turn them in?

That makes no sense at all.

I looked at Tirerack.com and it looks like the following are available in the 255/70 X 15 size:

BF Goodrich T/A [raised white letter]

Cooper Radial G/T [raised white letter]

General Grabber HTS 60 [outlined white letter]

Cooper has them available as the AT/3 XLT.

I am also exceptionally happy with how Cooper Cobras perform.

Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac . I have then on my truck and Bronco. 15x8x31

Can’t seem to upload a pic right now..

I happened to notice these on a Bullnose that was for sale on FB. Another option if nothing else.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mastercraft-Avenger-G-T-108T-Tire-P255-70R15/47406036

Thank you, gentlemen.  

It looks like I have a few more options!  

I run the cooper cobra tires in 255/70/15. They perform fine no complaints and I would buy them again.

Whats the verdict here Rick?...Any decisions yet?

No final decision yet.  I am going to try to keep my tires a little bit longer, and try to catch a good tire sale.  (I keep hoping Firestone will bring back the ones I have.)

So far, I think I like the ones you have on your truck the best.  

I went with the Cooper Cobras.  I like these much better than the BF Goodrich Radial tires that everyone and their mother-in-law seems to have on their classic ride.  (By the way, there are a LOT of complaints on the white lettering turning brown and staying that way on the newer BFGs.) The size is the same as I had before:  255/70R 15 on Ford 15x8 wheels.  The lettering font is a little bit different than yours, but I really like the look:





These tires checked all the boxes for me:  size, raised white letters, and made in the U.S.A.!  

I have them on my 1995 Ranger for the same reason. Looks great, and performs well enough. Good call!

Went with a different option on my bullnose... but the bullnose isn't nearly as sporty as the ranger, so I gave up on finding RWL's. Can't recall why I didn't run Cobra's... May have been a load/performance issue, or possibly availability. Probably in another thread.

I like the BFG-TA's for the tread pattern, but do not like the white sidewall letters.  So I'm guilty there.

I do like white sidewalls though, like the type my truck came with new. However I haven't seen them around in a long while.