Firestone Destination M/Ts

[nfpgasmask]

Hmmm, so what do you guys this about these:

http://www.4x4review.com/products/tires/destination-mt-header-thumb.jpg

I don't know anything about Firestone other than they have been around for nearly a century. I am 99% sold on the new BFG M/Ts but these look kinda nice as well...

Anyone have these? Comments?

Bart

[CrnCnn]

Hmmm, so what do you guys this about these:

http://www.4x4review.com/products/tires/destination-mt-header-thumb.jpg

I don't know anything about Firestone other than they have been around for nearly a century. I am 99% sold on the new BFG M/Ts but these look kinda nice as well...

Anyone have these? Comments?

Bart

are those what we saw at subway on that jeep?

[nfpgasmask]

are those what we saw at subway on that jeep?

Hmmm, maybe??? I can't remember. I just ran across them looking online.

Look at the ratings on Tirerack:

Firestone Destination M/Ts
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Destination+M%2FT&sidewall=Blackwall

BFG M/Ts
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=Mud-Terrain+T%2FA+KM&sidewall=Blackwall

The Firestones appear to have a much higher rating in several areas.

Bart

[Chopper]

You'll hear 'em at work. Wouldn't more rubber, less knob be better on rocks? I've no rock experience, but plenty o' mud....they look muddy to me.

[nfpgasmask]

You'll hear 'em at work. Wouldn't more rubber, less knob be better on rocks? I've no rock experience, but plenty o' mud....they look muddy to me.

Would A/Ts be more practical, yes. Do we have a lot of mud here? No, typically only in the spring or in the mountains, but nothing like back east or stinking hot Florida. Do they look cool and have a really good rating, YES! :)

I even think they will be a little cheaper than the BFGs also.

Bart

[CrnCnn]

Would A/Ts be more practical, yes. Do we have a lot of mud here? No, typically only in the spring or in the mountains, but nothing like back east or stinking hot Florida. Do they look cool and have a really good rating, YES! :)

I even think they will be a little cheaper than the BFGs also.

Bart

The only real thing I know about Firestone is that they had issue on the explorers. Pretty sure it was the Firestone. But not the particular tire.

[nfpgasmask]

Hmmm yeah, now that you mention it, I do remember something about them.

http://www.firestone-tire-recall.com/

Maybe I should stick with the BFGs....

Bart

[Chopper]

Firestone IS Bridgestone......only one tire failed...the Wilderness. Their stuff is OK....just OK

[Joe_Black]

Firestone/Bridgestone BAD. B. F. Goodrich GOOD. :bgwp:

Look at it this way, BFG runs Baja, Alcan and Dakar. 'Nuff said.

Take a look at the Yokohama Geolandar MT+ too, sticky! Of course, Bart, you're really more of a Michelin XZL kinda guy...

http://www.xrims.com/imgs/dynamic/mags/big/XZL_tire.jpg

[CrnCnn]

I like the Toyo also
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f180/Jimmylongwong/13369.gif

[etlsport]

the reason behind the firestone failure on the explorer was pretty complex, from what a professor who helped on the case said... ford tested the explorer and found that it was too heavy, so they had firestone take some weight off the tires, which came off the sidewall.. then they discovered with the lighter tires it had a tendancy to roll.. so to lower the center of gravity, they lowered the PSI recommended for the tires.. which resulted in more sidewall wear.. which lead to tread separation

[Chopper]

the reason behind the firestone failure on the explorer was pretty complex, from what a professor who helped on the case said... ford tested the explorer and found that it was too heavy, so they had firestone take some weight off the tires, which came off the sidewall.. then they discovered with the lighter tires it had a tendancy to roll.. so to lower the center of gravity, they lowered the PSI recommended for the tires.. which resulted in more sidewall wear.. which lead to tread separation
I love the thinking..."this 5300lb. truck is too heavy, shave some rubber off those tires":rolleyes: They'd have saved more weight tossing out a floor mat. Idiots. I'm afraid Ford, as we know it, is doomed.

[D-19]

I love the thinking..."this 5300lb. truck is too heavy, shave some rubber off those tires":rolleyes: They'd have saved more weight tossing out a floor mat. Idiots. I'm afraid Ford, as we know it, is doomed.

No, this is exactly as I remember FORD:bwgr:

[Ldub]

No, this is exactly as I remember FORD:bwgr:

LOL...I agree, my first wife had a granada POS, nuff said.

Though on the other side of the coin, I had a 70 Mustang that was great.

[Chopper]

I have a lightning truck I love, but man I don't want a Fusion

[Ldub]

I have a lightning truck I love, but man I don't want a Fusion

Current GF has the Focus w/ 50 series tires etc...not impressed.:rolleyesg

Oops, I think we've jacked this thread into a Ford discussion...Sorry.

[Joe_Black]

Oops, I think we've jacked this thread into a Ford discussion...Sorry.

LOL. Domestic Fords pretty much blow, but the overseas stuff rocks. Unfortunately when we do get the European Fords they've been neutered, and the motorsports darling Focus is a prime example...

http://sportscarforums.com/gallery/data/500/2006_ford_focus_rs_wrc_06.jpg

Believe me, as a rally enthusiast and owner of five XR4Ti's I have a proverbial thorn in my side on this one! :rolleyes:

[/HIJACK]

[D-19]

My first car was a Ford Probe 2nd gen, i say was because it ended with nine feet of flames bellowing out of the hood, however i won an award because of it for having the best excuse for being late to school :)

[nfpgasmask]

LOL. Domestic Fords pretty much blow, but the overseas stuff rocks.

Yeah, I will fill everyone in when my first Ford arrives from Oz.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

http://www.xrims.com/imgs/dynamic/mags/big/XZL_tire.jpg

Damn Joe, are those for real? They look wicked! I'm gonna Interweb these up right now.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

OK Joe, so seriously, would these even work on the VX? Looks like there is a 265 75 R16 available, but I cannot find a place to get these tires...still looking.

Bart

[JHarris1385]

I have read since this thread that they are only available through Canada.

[nfpgasmask]

I have read since this thread that they are only available through Canada.

Yeah, looks like most of the US stock is in Iraq. Oh well, I'm gonna stick to the BFGs. These tires are hella expensive too. They do look awesome though.

Bart

[JHarris1385]

The XZL's if found in a under 36'' which I have not been able to find are not too pricey. I found a forum I think yotaforum and a guy purchased them for $175 each.

[Joe_Black]

OK Joe, so seriously, would these even work on the VX? Looks like there is a 265 75 R16 available, but I cannot find a place to get these tires...still looking.

Bart

They're not terribly hard to find but you've got to mostly look where there's military vehicle stuff, and it helps to have flotation sizes in mind too. If you've got a particular size in mind let me know and I'll look around for you. Check www.govliquidation.com as well for some sweet deals and you'll find 'em usually in lots of five. I recently saw a bunch of NOS sets at an upcoming event in Jacksonvile but don't recall the sizes right off. Fantastic tires though, definitely getting a set when my CUCV M1028 gets back on the road. ;)

[Chopper]

[QUOTE=Joe_Black;123155] Unfortunately when we do get the European Fords they've been neutered, and the motorsports darling Focus is a prime example...

http://sportscarforums.com/gallery/data/500/2006_ford_focus_rs_wrc_06.jpg

They claim the Euro Fuc-us would cost like 28 grand in this mkt...very few are gonna line up for that here. Back on topic....bet those babies weigh 50lbs. each! Last a while I imagine.

[nfpgasmask]

They're not terribly hard to find but you've got to mostly look where there's military vehicle stuff, and it helps to have flotation sizes in mind too. If you've got a particular size in mind let me know and I'll look around for you. Check www.govliquidation.com as well for some sweet deals and you'll find 'em usually in lots of five. I recently saw a bunch of NOS sets at an upcoming event in Jacksonvile but don't recall the sizes right off. Fantastic tires though, definitely getting a set when my CUCV M1028 gets back on the road. ;)

Hey Joe, I think the BFG size I will go for is 265/75/R16, so whatever the equivalent of that is, would be ideal. Would these tires be way heavier than the BFGs? I mean, would there be a noticeable difference when it comes to braking and gas mileage?

Thanks, Bart

[Joe_Black]

Hey Joe, I think the BFG size I will go for is 265/75/R16, so whatever the equivalent of that is, would be ideal. Would these tires be way heavier than the BFGs? I mean, would there be a noticeable difference when it comes to braking and gas mileage?

Thanks, Bart

I wouldn't imagine you'd see any noticeable difference for comparable diameter/width in a similar class tire. Any time you go larger it's harder on acceleration and braking, as I and a soon-to-be-compacter car once discovered after going to 31X10.50 BFG AT's on my '88 Trooper. :rolleyes:

I'll take a look to see what I can find for you in the XZL's and will post up.

[etlsport]

now these would hurt your acceleration!

[JHarris1385]

I would assume acceleration would be slightly better with the xzl becuase of the stiff sidewall and the less flex. I really like those things. I would really consider those as well.

265/75/16 is what I have on currently. Pretty much a 10.5/31-32.

[nfpgasmask]

I would assume acceleration would be slightly better with the xzl becuase of the stiff sidewall and the less flex. I really like those things. I would really consider those as well.

265/75/16 is what I have on currently. Pretty much a 10.5/31-32.

The "75" is the width, correct? My 245 are "70", but going up to 75 should still fit my Chambers, right?

Joe, thanks, I will wait to see what you come up with!

Bart

[etlsport]

265 is the width in mm... 70 is the amount of sidewall as a percentage of the width (ie 70% of 265mm)

[Joe_Black]

Informational...

Site that carries XZL's for Land Rover (currently out of stock) with some good info: https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/

SteelSoldiers forum thread with good discussion of comparison between XL and XZL: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=14184

Current listings for "michelin" at Gov't Liquidation: http://web.govliquidation.com/auction/endecaSearch?Ntt=michelin&Ntk=P_Lot_Title&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Nty=1&Ns=Lot%20Number|0&words=michelin&cmd=keyword

If you've got time plug in "tires" for the search, GL isn't known for being the easiest site to search but you can find some real gems just poking around there. Then again that's probably why I've got an ordnance loading system for a Harrier sitting next to the shop! Couldn't resist for only $200! :rolleyes:

Looks like you might be looking at the 9.00X16 XZL and one place that keeps being referenced for supply is "Bill's Tires" in Pacheco CA (925.689.2678) for around $165 each. Don't know how current that info is, but it's a phone call away.

[JHarris1385]

I personally love these:

http://dirtgriptires.com/Sizes%20and%20Specifications.htm

[twistedsymphony]

I don't mean to bump an old topic but I was looking at tire options and after just reading reviews and comparing I came to the conclusion that the Firestone Destination M/T was the best tire for what I was looking for. Before creating a new topic I searched and found this one and figured I would add to it.

I owned a set of BFG A/T 33x12.50 R15s on a previous vehicle and I thought they were pretty good... except for the look, I thought they were a bit too docile, and I never got a chance to trail them but my experience on a few dirt roads was not promising.

My VX is primarily my winter vehicle, the NH months of heavy snow and road salt is where it will be driven daily. then in the spring, once the salt washes off the roads it will get parked as a 2nd vehicle.

I would like to take it on a few easy trails in the summer, and it will get driven when park my summer car in the garage while it's getting worked on.

Since it's not a trail vehicle first, and since maybe only 10-14 days in the winter it REALLY needs snow traction my #1 concern is on-road performance... my #2 concern is snow and ice performance and my #3 concern is dirt trails... on top of that I want the tire to look good.

the Destination M/T seems like it meets those goals well, and I've yet to read anything negative about them, every review seems to come up daises

http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/showproduct.php?product=292&cat=3
http://www.4x4review.com/products/tires/Firestone-Destination-MT.asp
http://www.1010tires.com/tirereviews/Firestone_Destination_MT_tire_reviews.html

It seems to have above average on-road performance as well as fantasic snow and trail performance. I liked my BFG A/Ts but they were so-so on ice, and I've ridden in a few vehicle with BFG MTs and know it doesn't have the on-road performance I'm looking for.

Does anyone have anything specifically bad about the Destinations besides the bad press Firestone got a few years ago? I mean seriously I looked into that issue heavily when it happened (I was an engineering student at the time and did a case study) and it's pretty much boild down to a combination of bad decisions by Ford, drivers who didn't keep up with maintenance, and bad luck.

From what I've read these tires were built from the ground up recently and used by Land Rover to show off their vehicles in rough terrain and display them at trade shows... not the rally heritige of the BFGs but I'm not going to be racing through the desert either... I think the kind of performance Land Rover had them built for is the kind of use I'm looking for as well.

[nfpgasmask]

I say go for it. You can be the guinea pig! :)

I think those tires look nice. I look forward to seeing them on a VX.

Bart