Pirelli's / Nitto's on an HD?

HDCrew4x4 · March 2, 2005

I was looking at the discount tire website at possible tire upgrades for my HD. I was a little suprised to see E load rated Pirelli's - LT265/75R16/E1 120R for $140.00 each.

Does anyone have any experience with these tires? I have seen a few mentions of the Scorpion AT's that were favorable. I'm 90% on road so I would like good quiet tread wear but I'd prefer not to get stuck in wet grass when I go hunting. I'd like to maintain an E load rating.

They've also got the Nitto Terra Grappler AT with an E rating - any experience with these?

I've had a jillion 33" BFG Mud's and AT's (thanks DiscountTire road hazard - they took a bath on me! ) on my old Dodge and I would like to get something not as noisy.

Thanks for any input!

killerZ-71 · March 2, 2005

i got new tires with my lift. the tires are PRO COMP. i am telling you i have NEVER had tires this good before. they cut through the ice and snow like i have never seen. i am so impressed with them, and they look awesome. 4 wheel online has them buy 3 and get the 4th free. that is one hell of a deal. go to pro comps web site and check them out, the reviews of them are awesome.

kosb · March 2, 2005

I Have the pirellis on my 89 Ford f-350, Ive got about 40k on them and they still work great. I dont know how noisy they are due to an exhaust leak that is very loud. I would buy them again.

skey · March 3, 2005

have no experience with the truck pirellis, have run lots of them on import performance cars thru the years though and generally really liked them, good quality and fair price! hope this helps

firstruck · March 3, 2005

I have the 80 psi terra grappler on my cc. They're right near the end now and the truck is new to me so it's hard to say much either way on them. They do look good even as worn as they are. I hadn't even considered them as a replacement but now you've got me thinking?... I would say if you do any off roading then these might be a good compromise because they are not "silent" runners, can't hear'em with the windows up, and yet look to have enough guts for the trail. I drove from Dallas to Philly on them and they rode the highway pretty smooth. definately not a "highway" rib style tire. They certainly are noisier than the Michelins on the wifey's Rover.

rascal · March 3, 2005

anyone run the Michelin LTX M/S lt 265/75/16 E? I got a few while till i need them, probably about november, but kinda like to get an ideal what i want. really wanting to know if they are bad in the mud compaired to the ones that came stock. I realize they aren't mud tires but i'd rather not get stuck in the field or even the yard.

Freyguy · March 3, 2005

I had the Michelin LTX's on my previous truck. They were so good I gave them to my Mom for her Blazer when I lowered my truck. She sold hers with them still on there. Awesome tires for the road and I thought they were going to last forever! Prob had a good 40,000 miles the last time I saw them and at least half the tread left! The only problem is that my Grandfather has the same tires now and every time he drives out in the field he's spinning tires and has been stuck several times. Definately not a great light mud tire, but awesome on road.

HDCrew4x4 · March 3, 2005

On my truck (which is new to me for less than a week(22K miles)) now I have Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T's. I noticed the tread on the front 2 tires is worn in the middle indicating overinflation. I checked the pressure and all 4 tires are at 46 psi. I wonder if I should drop the fronts down to 40 psi in the meantime.

The fronts look low to me and the sidewalls have small cracks in them - so is lowering the pressure a good idea? I would think this would deform the sidewall even more and make the cracks worse. Plus - since the truck is new to me I don't know the tires inflation history (it could have been at 90 psi a week ago - causing the middle tire wear I associate with the 46psi I see today!)

The recomendation on the door says 55psi fronts 80 psi rears - yet they came from the dealership at ~45psi - I'd like to think they'd check that.

I just don't want to have any tire excitement before I get some new ones on there!

I have been investigating the terra grappler - I figure a little bit more off road tread than I need is better than a too little.

Thanks again to all for the great input!

firstruck · March 3, 2005

On my truck (which is new to me for less than a week(22K miles)) now I have Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T's. I noticed the tread on the front 2 tires is worn in the middle indicating overinflation. I checked the pressure and all 4 tires are at 46 psi. I wonder if I should drop the fronts down to 40 psi in the meantime.

The fronts look low to me and the sidewalls have small cracks in them - so is lowering the pressure a good idea? I would think this would deform the sidewall even more and make the cracks worse. Plus - since the truck is new to me I don't know the tires inflation history (it could have been at 90 psi a week ago - causing the middle tire wear I associate with the 46psi I see today!)

The recomendation on the door says 55psi fronts 80 psi rears - yet they came from the dealership at ~45psi - I'd like to think they'd check that.

I just don't want to have any tire excitement before I get some new ones on there!

I have been investigating the terra grappler - I figure a little bit more off road tread than I need is better than a too little.

Thanks again to all for the great input!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HD, I've got a similar wear pattern on the Grapplers. I run 50 psi alround. but like you I don't know what the PO was running them at for the first 40K. I'm no expert on this but center tread wear can also be caused by under inflation, as the the tire doesen't have enough pressure to keep the tread surface flat as it rotates around the top. ( sorta like a dragster tire does) my $0.02 worth

What prices are you seeing for the Nitto?

HDCrew4x4 · March 3, 2005

firstruck

Discounttire has the Nitto Terra Grappler AT

LT265/75R16E1 123Q B (40207) listed at 129.99 each. Not too bad.

I think I'll bump up the pressures all around to 55psi fronts 65 rears. Maybe that'll help her along.

ABQFirefighter · March 3, 2005

I've got the Terra Grapplers and have been very happy with them. They are quiet and they wear really well. They do good in sand, but haven't been in the mud with them.

firstruck · March 3, 2005

I've got the Terra Grapplers and have been very happy with them. They are quiet and they wear really well. They do good in sand, but haven't been in the mud with them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice rig. which side step bars are those? I need a set as I'm always climbing up into the bed.

HDCrew4x4 · March 3, 2005

ABQFirefighter

Good lookin rig! Thsoe 325's fill in just right!

I guess you were able to get those in the front with the torsion bar adjustment? I am familiar with the concept, not familiar with the specifics of the process - don't really know how to do it.

Thanks for the info on the Grapplers!

Shawn T · March 3, 2005

I ran a set of Pirelli Scorpion AT's on my truck about 8 years ago and they were great. I would give them an all around perfect score. I ran them for 60,000 miles and they had great wet road traction and pretty good off road performance. The only thing I did not like about them was the corny raised yellow letters. I like raised white letters but the yellow made my tires look like they were always dirty.

ABQFirefighter · March 3, 2005

Firstruck - I actually found those bars on Ebay for around $200.

The front end is cranked up with the infamous "green" keys. The 325's are a tight fit. I had to trim some of the inner fender and very lower edge of the bumper and valance. At full crank to either side, the knobbys will hit the sway bar slightly, but they look better than stock!