Isn't this a rip off?

[85_Ranger4x4]

one thing I figured out on my 4 door can and I have stuck with solidly since is figure out WHERE the tires are made... Toyo's are made in japan, great tire... there is not a single tire made in the USA thanks to the EPA restrictions, it just isn't cost effective (the exception I think Coker makes classic white wall but they don't actually make make them, they just bond a whitewall on someone else's tires).

Anyhow, South Korea tires are pretty good, Japanese tires are really good, Chinese tires are CRAP, Mexican tires are ok, Canadian tires (if there is any left) aren't bad either. - just stay away from China and southeast asian (malay, singapoor, etc) tires from places that you wouldn't want to go on vacation.

I have had good look with Falkens out of Taiwan.

Kinda in a pickle, they don't make tires anywhere I want to go on vacation...

 

[Brain75]

I had to edit before someone corrected me :O
Back in the 80's the EPA just got more and more and more strict and everyone moved offshore. By the mid 90's I don't think there was a single tire mfg in the US, last time I bought tires for my daily (the GM) I didn't even check, I just went with the absolute cheapest (low profile 18's - they are gawd awfully stupid expensive). The time before that some 12-15 years ago, I looked and none I could find were made in the US at that time.
Goodyear, Cooper, Mickey Thompson,etc - the list of partially made in the US is actually decent.

Michelin you would think would be all made in France, but apparently the France plant supplies the EU, and the Mich's we used to get here were from some place in SE Asia - or at least used to be last I checked.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Last time I was in Union City TN there's a big Titan tire place apparently where Goodyear was for a while (all the streets by there are Goodyear), not sure if it's just warehousing or making...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Goodyear, Cooper, Mickey Thompson,etc - the list of partially made in the US is actually decent.

Those are all actually owned by Goodyear.

 

[Garth Libre]

Update: I replaced the tires with Kendas from Walmart, and did the 4 shocks with KYB's and some new sway bar bushings myself. The shocks took me 2 1/2 hours of work including clean up, planning and jacking the truck up securely. The original shocks had rusted hardware in the front requiring me to cut the top shafts off below the nut. The original sway bar bushings didn't look that bad for over 100,000 but they were cheap and very easy to swap. You might not need to do them. The overall effect of four new Kenda tires, 4 new shocks, new sway bar ends and new sway bar bushings is quite noticeable. I guess the total cost for bushings, sway bar ends, KYB shocks all around and 4 Walmart Kenda tires was well under $700 including some "involving labor involving some unpleasantness" to cut the front shocks off. The original factory shocks with 140,000 miles on them seemed ok until I realized how much better a truck can ride with new ones.

My conclusion (and advice for others): KYB shocks are probably an improvement over what came with these trucks originally, BUT definitely an improvement over old shocks with over 100,000 miles on them. They are cheap, but maybe not easy to replace if they have rusted hardware. The sway bar bushings might not need replacement after 100,000 miles, however they are easy and cheap. BUT the sway bar end links definitely will need replacement by 100,000 miles, so I highly advise doing it. Both end links and bushings are simple (no cursing jobs).

Nowadays, even Walmart's prices for new tires are expensive, even for in a humble Ford Ranger size, however, rather than bitching about how tire prices have gone up in the last 20 years, we should just bite the bullet and not drive around on dangerous, trashed tires.

The older Ford Rangers will never be luxurious rides. They are basic work or commuting vehicles, but if you have one, you will be quite happy with these suspension maintenance items attended to.

 

[Brain75]

Greatly appreciate the feedback. The '07 in the family needs tires, and was considering the "cheapies" from wally too since tires are so stinking expensive now... At least I can say I heard it from at least one person they were good enough for a daily driver.

My '90 is sitting at 110k, and other than a new clutch (at 100k) and the usuals (oil/brakes/tires) has never had to do any work on it.... guessing I should really go look at my shocks and bushings now...

 

[Garth Libre]

At about 400 bucks for a set of tires out the door, they Walmart tires can hardly be considered cheapies. My Cobra Daytona takes 17's of 275 and 245 width and those are double the cost of Ranger tires. I don't understand how any car, even a sports car can require $1000 for a simple set of tires. The Cobra is a sports car not house requiring a mortgage payment.

 

[bobbywalter]

At about 400 bucks for a set of tires out the door, they Walmart tires can hardly be considered cheapies. My Cobra Daytona takes 17's of 275 and 245 width and those are double the cost of Ranger tires. I don't understand how any car, even a sports car can require $1000 for a simple set of tires. The Cobra is a sports car not house requiring a mortgage payment.

400 bux for 4 tires is very cheap.

i dont even get oz tires for that anymore....though those are 37's and alot of tire.


i am glad you realized the shocks can jounce fair but still be bad.

 

[SenorNoob]

I paid $428 for just 2 Kendas last time. Of course I could've gotten the same tires about $75 cheaper if I had planned far enough ahead.

 

[Garth Libre]

120K on a pair of shocks... I'd say it's time for replacement. Have you looked at them? Bushings good?
Shaft on ripped open boot pitted?
Any oil leakage?

Springs are a bit different... have you inspected those? Again... bushings...isolaters... broken.

I did the shocks, sway bar ends, sway bar bushings, tires and alignment. It was a lot of work but it is really nice now.

 

[Garth Libre]

Upselling is what makes them money, unless it's unsafe you can refuse it like said above... Shocks are easy to DIY, just did mine on the '97 Friday... Springs is different and sure it's probably sagging but whatever, I'm sure my '97 is...

The shocks were kind of easy except for the rusted nuts which forced me to cut the shock shafts.

 

[Garth Libre]

120K on a pair of shocks... I'd say it's time for replacement. Have you looked at them? Bushings good?
Shaft on ripped open boot pitted?
Any oil leakage?

Springs are a bit different... have you inspected those? Again... bushings...isolaters... broken.

I replaced the shocks and sway bar bushings and sway bar ends. The bushings were all toast. Even one shock bushing was cracked with a part missing. I guess that's what happens in 14 years and 140,000 miles.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I replaced the shocks and sway bar bushings and sway bar ends. The bushings were all toast. Even one shock bushing was cracked with a part missing. I guess that's what happens in 14 years and 140,000 miles.

Yeah... they just don't make stuff like they use to.

 

[Stumblefoot]

I've been really happy with Cooper tire from Tire Rack, an affiliate of Discount tire..