Tyre Naaier Conudrum

[Mad Manny]

Background:
I 'inherited' a Hiluxthat belonged to me when my brother passed away recently.

It is a 1994 (31 year old) Hilux 2.4D single cab with 280000km.

I have started slowly restoring it.

The Tyres:
The tyres all have good tread, but...

The two rear tyres are GoodYear - the datestamp is (1818) they are therefore just over 7 years old.

The two front tyres are Hankook - the datestamp is (3407) they are therefore about to turn 18 years old.

The spare is (2303) & has just passed 22 years in age.

I therefore need to replace, at least, 3 tyres...

[Bugjuic]

NO. The balance, weight and unsprung mass does not constitute having to purchase 3 (Two and spare).Using un-even tyres just never really balance out well. Spend a bit more, buy 4 new ones, use the Goodyear as a spare, and decide whether you want a second spare tyre.

Tyres are the one thing keeping you on the road... Never skimp on them trying to save one tyres worth of money in this instance...

Goodyear/General Grabber make fairly good tyres at very good prices.

[Mad Manny]

The Problem:
The Tyres are 195 R 14 C with an 8 ply rating.
Basically this is the Hi-Ace Taxi tyre.
Please note that 14" tyres are becoming harder & harder to come by.

I went to my local Best Drive, been going there for over 30 years.
They say they can only get the GoodYear with a whitre wall @ around R3k a tyre.
I can get 245/70 15" AT tyres for less.

They Quoted me R1720 all in for Dunlop tyres - I'm not keen.

So I popped into Lombard Tyres, they do Khumo, primarily.
No Khumo comes in that size,
They quoted R1544 for a tyre called Goodride - from Shina.
I have never heard of GoodRide Tyres.

My Policy:My policy is to rotate tyres so that all 5 wear out at the same time - then you fit 5 new.
Anyone who doesn't do this is a fool. Some say they rotate the 4 road tyres & then include the spare on replacement.
To me, that is just plan stupid.
The main issue is 3 or 4 years later you struggle finding the exact same tyres.
As I now am.

Unfortunately, this vehicle wasn't under my care & for financial reasons only replaced tyres on need.

Your Suggestion:?
What do you guys suggest?
I want to spend as little as possible as I have to buy R12k worth of tyres for another vehicle soon...

[Mad Manny]

Tyres are the one thing keeping you on the road... Never skimp on them trying to save one tyres worth of money in this instance...

Goodyear/General Grabber make fairly good tyres at very good prices.

I took the Hilux on the Hi-way & unleashed it's full 55kW of raw power - I eventually got to 100km/h with the motor spinning at 3100rpm.
So tyres are a bit less important than in a 4x4 capable of higher speeds.

[Douw]

It's a work vehicle and will earn its keep . Don't take a risk if it is loaded with a half a ton and personel and a tire burst and it hits a Porch the the insurance hassle will be more then a set of tires.

[Bugjuic]

If finances are tight (as for many of us)

Only swop the Hankook tyres for some that you KNOW yo can get again in the near future. Always put your NEWEST tyres in front. Replace your one hankook for a spare...

[jakeslouw]

My advice is find a set of 16 inch Toyota rims with the same PCD. Then fit cheaper 16 inch rubber.

Otherwise buy the Goodride tyres, Lombard won't sell crap because they're a decent franchise that built their business on good products.
And at 100km/h top speed, very little chance of catastrophe in the case of a failure.
Plenty of reputable suppliers stock them now.

[AndreasR]

Don’t know much about rubber but Goodride sounds a bit like a brand of prophylactic.

[Mad Manny]

Jake's, I considered this.
Most of my fleet is on 245/75 R15" tyre's.
As is my trailer.
I have been considering changing the rim to 15", but it's too much of a jump.
Biggest I could go for. Is a 205/70,15".

[Johannes]

I had Goodride on my stolen Defender. They were Mud terrains. Had no problems at all.
Got from Lombaard in Pta.
Gave me good service
Will buy again when i need

[Mad Manny]

Thanks Johannes