Cut INSIDE the Tire Tread?

[rangerenthiusiast]

Hey, all.

Picked up a ’92 4-WD Ranger Custom a few months back. So many problems with it. The one thing I thought I’d be good with were the tires. I can tell they’re not new chronologically, but there’s very little wear on the nice aggressive treads.
Then I saw THIS:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k64tPmsdDAxAGmhQknHd4OS1a-DnIvnY/view?usp=sharing

Uggh. I definitely can’t afford new tires for this thing right now, since it needs so many other things done to it (yes, I know, an accident would cost more and I DO want to be responsible toward other people on the road). The tires hold air perfectly fine, so the tear obviously hasn’t gone through. If I put a tube in that one tire for the time being, would it be likely to pass inspection that way (it’s due in October)?

Thanks.

 

[Dirtman]

It would literally be cheaper, safer, and easier to go buy a used tire and rim from a junkyard. Tubes aren't cheap and you would still need to pay for mounting and re-balancing after its installed. A junkyard tire and rim might run you 50 bucks max and later when you buy all new tires... Hey you got a spare. Also you still have structural damage to the tire that a tube isn't correcting. Tubes also cause the tire to run hotter, and with less flex so the chance of catastrophic failure to your already old/damaged tire increases. I just see zero benefit in trying to repair that tire with a tube.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

It would literally be cheaper, safer, and easier to go buy a used tire and rim from a junkyard. Tubes aren't cheap and you would still need to pay for mounting and re-balancing after its installed. A junkyard tire and rim might run you 50 bucks max and later when you buy all new tires... Hey you got a spare. Also you still have structural damage to the tire that a tube isn't correcting. Tubes also cause the tire to run hotter, and with less flex so the chance of catastrophic failure to your already old/damaged tire increases. I just see zero benefit in trying to repair that tire with a tube.

Hey, fair enough, Dirtman. A lot of what you say is kind of what I already suspected; I was just looking for someone to verify. Junkyards aren’t an option around here, as they’ve been outlawed in the area. Most tire places around here also won’t sell you just one tire, they want to charge a grand+ for a set of four. Gotta love NY.

 

[Dirtman]

What sort if insane logic is behind making junkyards illegal?

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

What sort if insane logic is behind making junkyards illegal?

Ever since 9/11, city people have been buying up weekend homes in this area like they’re going out of style. They find junkyards to be “unsightly” (in other words, they want to increase their property values, in case they want to sell down the road).

They get on the local governmental boards and boom - no more junkyards. This is a former farming community and in some areas, it’s actually now illegal to own chickens, because they don’t want the roosters disturbing their beauty sleep on the weekends. I sh@t you not.

 

[4x4junkie]

×2. I wouldn't trust that tire any further than I could throw it. As rubber ages, it becomes more brittle and susceptible to chunking as well as cuts & separations like that. You might also find the tire's interior to be intact at the moment, which would make use of a tube moot anyway (a tube will do absolutely nothing to prevent a tire from bursting).

Maybe check Craigslist to see if someone's selling some tires near you. Otherwise you're probably just gonna have to drive a few dozen miles or more (in another vehicle if you don't have a spare) and get one from a wrecking yard.
Also check tire stores, many sell used tires too, though the price margins are not as good as would be if you got it from a junkyard or private party.

 

[donaldcon]

How deep is the cut?
If you stick a screwdriver in the cut and wiggle it around can you feel any of the metal chords?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[adsm08]

In many states running a tube inside a radial tubless tire is illegal.

Also, as said, that thing is junk.

Lastly, I hold NY in only slightly higher regard than I do Commie-Fornia, and absolutely refuse to even cross the line into NY unless absolutely necessary. Just move somewhere better.

 

[RonD]

Old tires rot, so you will be needing a set of 4 if they are all old, 15+ years old.

Tires have a DOT(dept. of transportation) Date code, look here: http://www.consumerwarningnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/tire-mfr-date.jpg
This was for 2000 and up tires, so at least 18 years old.............., i.e. 0100 = Made in 1st week January 2000
Prior to 2000 there will only be 3 digits not 4
First two are the week, 01 to 52, last number is the year, 0 to 9, i.e. 128 = (12 weeks)March 1998

DOT date only has to be on one sidewall legally, so if you don't see it or its not complete look on the other side of tire

See how old they are


Tire makers say they last 6 years, but they would, lol.
I think 15 years would really be pushing them, the materials just break down, same happens to vacuum hoses and your filler tube

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

In many states running a tube inside a radial tubless tire is illegal.

I do it all the time... on farm equipment.

And I wouldn't risk blowing out a tube on that tire

And with what I do there is virtually no safety risk, if I blow a tire on my disk or shredder nobody will get hurt... and it would still not be worth putting a tube in that tire to me.

 

[Dirtman]

I dunno how far you are from the NJ border but id be more than happy to find you a good used tire/rim at one of my local yards and meet you halfway if your not in buffalo or something lol. I hit the junkyards once a week anyway. At least itll keep you safe till you can buy new tires. Lemme know if i can help.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

Okay guys, I get it.

I have a second clunker that I can drive around until I find new tires. Somewhere on here, there’s a spec sheet that shows what the largest tires are that will fit on particular Rangers, but I can’t seem to find it now. Anyone know off-hand where it’s at? I’ll probably shop around on Craigslist and see if I can find some used tires already on rims, as I hate the steelies that came with the truck anyway. Thanks.

EDIT - I did find these two pages:

http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/wheels_and_brakes/ford-ranger-wheel-fitment-guide/

http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to_pages/ford_ranger_tire_fitment.shtml


Looks like without a lift, the standard 15x7’s the came with the truck are all that will fit, yeah?