odddoylerules

OK so next up is to get grandads olds outta mothballs, and on the list is tires. Since its stockers are oddball, I assume just using passenger car tires isn't gonna be the way to go.

I'm initially thinking a light truck premium touring tire up front, like a HD equivalent of the pirelli p4's on my Crown Vic. With a similar appearing passenger car touring tire in the back.

Priorities include secure but not extreme handling, and noise.

I understand a LT radial will sacrifice noise and ride comfort to an extent but the thing is 4500lbs+.

Is this thinking sound? Do any of you have experience here?

oldcutlass

What size rims are on it?

oldsmobiledave

Go talk to your local Toyo and Michelin dealers. They will point you in the right direction.

odddoylerules

Stock, so 15?

odddoylerules

Looking at 235/75/15

odddoylerules

You think my local lug turner has experience with 5000lb fwd vehicles putting down big block torque?

I'm not just taking a salesman's word.

oldsmobiledave

What makes you think that they can't handle a tire selection for a Toro? I'm not talking about some pimple faced part time employe but a professional tire person. It's not that tough an assignment.

oldcutlass

That's a pretty tall tire. Most tires in that size are for light trucks.

odddoylerules

Last time I went on the dudes word I hated the tires, handling on dry pavement was darty and scared me shitless changing lanes on the freeway. (Goodyear comfortread touring) switched em out for pirellis and I'm good. Not that I'm sayin anything bad about Michelin or the other brand mentioned.

Goodyear on the other hand...

The size is the modern equivalent of the stock size, and yeah... Light truck it is in that size. Lookin like Michelin does make a nice highway radial that scores well for noise and comfort in that size too.

twintracks

I've been doing a tire search for my '68 Toronado.
The originals were J-78-15, but they were specially designed for the Toros and known as TFD tires. They had a very beefy sidewall, as they expected the Toros would shred normal tires. TFDs have not been available for probably 30 years. They were identified by the dual, or triple white wall stripes.
Four years ago, I installed a set of Firestone 225/75R15 tires. They have been rotated as wear was observed. All four tires are nearly worn to the cords on the outside edges. The car has been driven a lot, including the 2013 Great Race. 75 series tires in my opinion are too narrow for the Toros.
The tires we used to run years ago were 235/70R15 if you can find them. The best available source is BF Goodrich, but the white stripe T/As are no longer available. This leaves only white letter, or red stripes, the latter of which is pricey.
You will get less tire squeal on sharp corners with the wider tires.
I would not mix tire sizes or styles, as you will need to rotate them often.
Michelin used to be the tire of choice, but the last time I looked, they were not doing a white wall either.
If you find another source with 235/70R15 white walls, let us know.

pogo69

some years back i had a waste oil 83 mercedes 300d and took it to sams club for inexpensive front tires... they would not mount the ones i wanted because if i remember the mercedes also reqiured a heavy walled tire or something... i was very surprised they wouldnt mount them but i guess i got someone doing their job i ended up buying them unmounted

odddoylerules

Good info TT, that's why I was looking at LT tires that aren't off road oriented.

redoldsman

If you have a Discount Tire near you, that is where I would go. It is a very well run company and I wish I had all the money I have spent with them over the last 25-30 years.

oldsmobiledave

I would put the Toyo Open Country HT tires under that Toro. 3 ply sidewall tire designed to handle the torque and weight of diesel trucks. The tire has a highway all season tread design and is available in several sizes that work on that car.

http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/op...n-tires?cat=10

Best of luck with whatever you decide

odddoylerules

For the record, it was discount that steered me wrong on the goodyears

redoldsman

Proves nobody is perfect I guess.

odddoylerules

Honestly I blame the tire not them, its not their fault 3 out of 4 tires had majorly lumpy sidewalls after less than 5000 miles. SUPER QUIET, SUPER SMOOTH RIDE, but boy was that handling scary, and quality was sub par.

If the tire construction/design required a realign to drive/last properly... That's where the sales guys failed me.