Gary Lewis Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 With most restaurants only open for drive-through we just did the DQ drive-through and drove back home while we drank our shakes. So not really an opportunity to take a picture even if I had brought a camera. But yeah, I get the struggle of taking a full-size truck to a drive-in. Today I had to run past the bank on my way to work to deposit a couple of checks. With my crew cab F-250 I often park in the lot and go to the walk-up ATM. In the Bronco today the drive-through ATM is a piece of cake! And hey, August isn't far away! How long has it been since Big Blue's been on the road? I know you're looking forward to driving him, because I know how I felt getting my Bronco out after being parked since November! Not sure exactly how long BB's been off the road. But just about a year. The thread started in May of '19 and wandered around very badly so it is hard to say exactly when the tear-down started. But sometime last summer. Yes, it will feel good to finally have him running, if not quite on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothing Special Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Not sure exactly how long BB's been off the road. But just about a year. The thread started in May of '19 and wandered around very badly so it is hard to say exactly when the tear-down started. But sometime last summer. Yes, it will feel good to finally have him running, if not quite on the road. When people get new tires for a vehicle they often say "it's got new shoes." Well, these aren't new shoes, they're new boots. Hiking boots. About 3 years ago I decided that my 33/10.50x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains were too narrow, too tame and too worn out. Plus I wanted to quit beating up the Alcoa rims I'm using. So I wanted new tires. Didn't happen before Ouray in 2018. Didn't happen before Moab in 2019. But now it's happened! Last week I picked up a set of ProComp Xtreme MT2 tires, in 33/12.50x15 on black steel wheels (i had been planning on beadlocks, but the budget suggested a different plan). They look quite a bit bigger than the old tires, but as the numbers indicate, they're the same diameter. The Bronco sits 1/4" higher with the new tires, but with ~1/2" tread depth on the new and the old being too close to bald, if these tires were bald and the old ones were new it would be reversed. They are quite a bit wider (2" in theory, and that seems pretty close), and it's almost all on the outside, just like I wanted. They stick in MAYBE 1/4" more, so I might get a bit more rubbing on my radius arms, but they should clear everywhere else. And sticking out almost 2" more will help keep the sheetmetal off the rocks a little better. The wheels didn't fit when I first brought them home. The stick-on balance weights hit the brake caliper bracket in front. So I had to take them back to be balanced with the weights farther in-board. Then I was able to put them on the Bronco last night. So far not a lot of experience with them, just a 10 mile commute. I'd say the handling is OK. Definitely more steering input needed to keep going straight. They are significantly louder than the ATs, probably to the point of being annoying. For the most part they seem to run smooth, but I did get a vibration a little over 60 mph on one stretch of highway. It went away when I sped up or slowed down, and wasn't there about a mile later. Again, probably annoying if these were to get a lot of highway miles. So obviously these are a worse compromise than the old ATs as far as the on-road performance is concerned. But my intent is for these tires to just be used on 'wheeling trips. So yes, they'll get some highway miles (especially on the tow bar). But for most of my driving I'll keep the nice Alcoa rims, and when the BFGs are completely worn out I'll replace them with a smaller, even more street-oriented tire. Something like an all-season in a P235/75x15. So for what these tires are (the hiking boots!) I think I'm going to like them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 When people get new tires for a vehicle they often say "it's got new shoes." Well, these aren't new shoes, they're new boots. Hiking boots. About 3 years ago I decided that my 33/10.50x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains were too narrow, too tame and too worn out. Plus I wanted to quit beating up the Alcoa rims I'm using. So I wanted new tires. Didn't happen before Ouray in 2018. Didn't happen before Moab in 2019. But now it's happened! Last week I picked up a set of ProComp Xtreme MT2 tires, in 33/12.50x15 on black steel wheels (i had been planning on beadlocks, but the budget suggested a different plan). They look quite a bit bigger than the old tires, but as the numbers indicate, they're the same diameter. The Bronco sits 1/4" higher with the new tires, but with ~1/2" tread depth on the new and the old being too close to bald, if these tires were bald and the old ones were new it would be reversed. They are quite a bit wider (2" in theory, and that seems pretty close), and it's almost all on the outside, just like I wanted. They stick in MAYBE 1/4" more, so I might get a bit more rubbing on my radius arms, but they should clear everywhere else. And sticking out almost 2" more will help keep the sheetmetal off the rocks a little better. The wheels didn't fit when I first brought them home. The stick-on balance weights hit the brake caliper bracket in front. So I had to take them back to be balanced with the weights farther in-board. Then I was able to put them on the Bronco last night. So far not a lot of experience with them, just a 10 mile commute. I'd say the handling is OK. Definitely more steering input needed to keep going straight. They are significantly louder than the ATs, probably to the point of being annoying. For the most part they seem to run smooth, but I did get a vibration a little over 60 mph on one stretch of highway. It went away when I sped up or slowed down, and wasn't there about a mile later. Again, probably annoying if these were to get a lot of highway miles. So obviously these are a worse compromise than the old ATs as far as the on-road performance is concerned. But my intent is for these tires to just be used on 'wheeling trips. So yes, they'll get some highway miles (especially on the tow bar). But for most of my driving I'll keep the nice Alcoa rims, and when the BFGs are completely worn out I'll replace them with a smaller, even more street-oriented tire. Something like an all-season in a P235/75x15. So for what these tires are (the hiking boots!) I think I'm going to like them! Those look good, Cory! And, that sounds like a reasonable plan on tires for wheeling vs street use. And with the noisy tires on just for wheeling it won't be a problem in the Bronco, but I assume the noise won't be heard in the tow vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothing Special Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 Those look good, Cory! And, that sounds like a reasonable plan on tires for wheeling vs street use. And with the noisy tires on just for wheeling it won't be a problem in the Bronco, but I assume the noise won't be heard in the tow vehicle? Yeah, they aren't so loud that I expect I'll hear them from the motorhome especially. And probably not if I ever tow it with the truck again either. But there are "trail days" that involve a fair amount of highway driving. Top of the World is about an hour outside of Moab, and anything in the Black Hills or most of Colorado (Ouray being the exception) involves a lot of highway miles. So we'll "get to" listen to them plenty. I think they'll be acceptable for that, but time will tell. Plus this weekend I'm heading down to Missouri, driving the Bronco! (I'll be wearing ear plugs, which I'd do for the wind noise even without the tire noise) (And no, you didn't get the wrong name in spite of my having my name in my signature. When I saw you called me "Cory" I realized that I don't have my name in my sig like I had assumed. So I just added it.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Yeah, they aren't so loud that I expect I'll hear them from the motorhome especially. And probably not if I ever tow it with the truck again either. But there are "trail days" that involve a fair amount of highway driving. Top of the World is about an hour outside of Moab, and anything in the Black Hills or most of Colorado (Ouray being the exception) involves a lot of highway miles. So we'll "get to" listen to them plenty. I think they'll be acceptable for that, but time will tell. Plus this weekend I'm heading down to Missouri, driving the Bronco! (I'll be wearing ear plugs, which I'd do for the wind noise even without the tire noise) (And no, you didn't get the wrong name in spite of my having my name in my signature. When I saw you called me "Cory" I realized that I don't have my name in my sig like I had assumed. So I just added it.) Where are you headed in MO? We are looking for decent places to take Big Blue since the Oklahoma Adventure Trail is rather tame. (I assume you heard about that?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce moose4x4 Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Where are you headed in MO? We are looking for decent places to take Big Blue since the Oklahoma Adventure Trail is rather tame. (I assume you heard about that?) Gary, there are three Off Road Parks in Southwest MO. Rush Springs Ranch, down near Pineville. Hooter Holler near Mountain Grove. and the local one for me is SMOOR AKA Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch. I have been to SMOOR several times, have not been to the others. I think they all have some mild to wild trails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothing Special Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 Gary, there are three Off Road Parks in Southwest MO. Rush Springs Ranch, down near Pineville. Hooter Holler near Mountain Grove. and the local one for me is SMOOR AKA Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch. I have been to SMOOR several times, have not been to the others. I think they all have some mild to wild trails. I'm heading to SMORR to meet with a group of virtual friends. Should be a fun trip, but unfortunately Lesley isn't joining me. If she was I'd take the motorhome, but since it's just me I thought I'd make it a bit of an adventure (and cheaper!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Gary, there are three Off Road Parks in Southwest MO. Rush Springs Ranch, down near Pineville. Hooter Holler near Mountain Grove. and the local one for me is SMOOR AKA Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch. I have been to SMOOR several times, have not been to the others. I think they all have some mild to wild trails. Bruce! You are still reading the mail! Cool! Bob - Have a good, but safe, time. But I don't think we are ready for an offroad park. Instead we are looking for some rugged roads that have some scenery. Maybe southeast OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 When people get new tires for a vehicle they often say "it's got new shoes." Well, these aren't new shoes, they're new boots. Hiking boots. About 3 years ago I decided that my 33/10.50x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains were too narrow, too tame and too worn out. Plus I wanted to quit beating up the Alcoa rims I'm using. So I wanted new tires. Didn't happen before Ouray in 2018. Didn't happen before Moab in 2019. But now it's happened! Last week I picked up a set of ProComp Xtreme MT2 tires, in 33/12.50x15 on black steel wheels (i had been planning on beadlocks, but the budget suggested a different plan). They look quite a bit bigger than the old tires, but as the numbers indicate, they're the same diameter. The Bronco sits 1/4" higher with the new tires, but with ~1/2" tread depth on the new and the old being too close to bald, if these tires were bald and the old ones were new it would be reversed. They are quite a bit wider (2" in theory, and that seems pretty close), and it's almost all on the outside, just like I wanted. They stick in MAYBE 1/4" more, so I might get a bit more rubbing on my radius arms, but they should clear everywhere else. And sticking out almost 2" more will help keep the sheetmetal off the rocks a little better. The wheels didn't fit when I first brought them home. The stick-on balance weights hit the brake caliper bracket in front. So I had to take them back to be balanced with the weights farther in-board. Then I was able to put them on the Bronco last night. So far not a lot of experience with them, just a 10 mile commute. I'd say the handling is OK. Definitely more steering input needed to keep going straight. They are significantly louder than the ATs, probably to the point of being annoying. For the most part they seem to run smooth, but I did get a vibration a little over 60 mph on one stretch of highway. It went away when I sped up or slowed down, and wasn't there about a mile later. Again, probably annoying if these were to get a lot of highway miles. So obviously these are a worse compromise than the old ATs as far as the on-road performance is concerned. But my intent is for these tires to just be used on 'wheeling trips. So yes, they'll get some highway miles (especially on the tow bar). But for most of my driving I'll keep the nice Alcoa rims, and when the BFGs are completely worn out I'll replace them with a smaller, even more street-oriented tire. Something like an all-season in a P235/75x15. So for what these tires are (the hiking boots!) I think I'm going to like them! Bob, the new boots look great on the little Bronco! I love the stance it has now, and hope you have a great time at the off-road ranch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce moose4x4 Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Bruce! You are still reading the mail! Cool! Bob - Have a good, but safe, time. But I don't think we are ready for an offroad park. Instead we are looking for some rugged roads that have some scenery. Maybe southeast OK? Yes Gary, still checking in every night. You might check out Backroadadventures.net They have a couple of drives (not sure they are rugged roads by any means) River Run One starts at MO/ARK/OK corner and runs up to Roaring River State park. (Trout Hatchery) And also a Gladtop trail between Chadwick, MO and Ava, MO which is supposed to be one of the best for fall foilage. Your truck is coming along nicely, Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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