1994 Full Size Chevy Blazer-Custom/Need Advice

[ArkRescue]

I have a set in the garage with some 265/75/16 tires that have a bit of tread, however I think the offset may be to high and you could rub.

Closest to the 31x10.5 in a 16", is 265/70/16. The 265/75/16 are 31.5, but can vary depending on the type.

These are the wheels I picked up for $50, and the tires are Pirelli Scorpion ATR, 265/75/16 which I got a for a steal from discount tire.

View attachment 102018

h e l l o ........................ did you check your PM's?

 

[ArkRescue]

The SUV has been in the shop since late last week getting front end work done. I was lucky enough to get the parts for 1/2 price (mechanics cost) and I am getting new rotors, bushings, upper and lower ball joints, and brake pads (of course). Can't remember much more of the parts list at the moment. Hopefully it'll be ready for me to pick-up today and they won't have found any power steering pump issues. Next comes an alignment, then wheels/tires (nope haven't found any used yet, but I HAVE to keep looking because I have little money for wheels/tires). After wheels/tires, the a/c leaks need to be addressed so I can get the system recharged, otherwise it'll sit until October. I work in the hood, and I will NOT be driving with my windows down in the hood, so I need a/c.

 

[ArkRescue]

ok so I'm looking for the following (used or new, just looking for a low cost if possible):

Four (4) matching rims/wheels 16" 6x6.5 and tires. I placed a classified ad also.

My preference would be to find: American Racing Outlaw wheels and Pirelli AT tires 265/70/16, however, what I end up with may be totally different for the short term.

 

[ArkRescue]

I think these might fit the bill.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Grabber+HTS&partnum=475SR6GRHTSOWL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=1994&autoModel=Blazer 4wd&autoModClar=

If you want the wider ones, which are closer to the size you had in 15s, this is a better match.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Road+Venture+APT+KL51&partnum=675SR6KL51OWL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=1994&autoModel=Blazer 4wd&autoModClar=


I ran I think two sets of Kuhmos on the +300hp Neon and they were good tires. Not like the Michelin Pilot Sports it came with, but at less than 1/2 the price for 80% of the performance, it was an acceptable tradeoff.

I am checking around now for prices on getting the front end alignment - any suggestions? Probably some deals somewhere?

I'm inclined to like this General a bit more due to the Load Range of "E" vs, "C" of the Kumho. I will be hauling the horse trailer with this sometimes, so it's better to have a higher load rating.

 

[ArkRescue]

So the guy at Southern Wheel and Hubcap said that the BF Goodrich KOTA tires ($890) are 10 times better than the Pirelli Scorpion ATR's ($1185) - any thoughts on that anyone? I am trying to research all options since I may find myself needing to buy the wheels and/or tires new. I really hope not, or I'll be on the "no money to eat" diet .

If I could get the remaining cats adopted out that I paid the vet bills on, the adoption fees being reimbursed back to me would help with this. Anyone here looking to adopt a cute fuzzy kitty or two?

 

[PrchJrkr]

So the guy at Southern Wheel and Hubcap said that the BF Goodrich KOTA tires ($890) are 10 times better than the Pirelli Scorpion ATR's ($1185) - any thoughts on that anyone? I am trying to research all options since I may find myself needing to buy the wheels and/or tires new. I really hope not, or I'll be on the "no money to eat" diet .

If I could get the remaining cats adopted out that I paid the vet bills on, the adoption fees being reimbursed back to me would help with this. Anyone here looking to adopt a cute fuzzy kitty or two?

I haven't had any experience with the Pirelli Scorpions, but Pirelli has been in the business a long time and you don't get there by putting out junk. I DO have experience with BFG T/A KO tires. They are one the best for light trucks and SUVs, IMO. They have great traction in any weather and long tread life. They give off a slight hum on the road, but to me the hum, like exhaust rumble, are a good thing.

For the price difference, I'd definitely go BFG. I doubt the Pirelli's last any longer, although they are probably quieter. Just my 2 cents.

No thanks for more furry friends. Our 2 cats and a dog are more than enough for our modest home.

 

[ArkRescue]

I haven't had any experience with the Pirelli Scorpions, but Pirelli has been in the business a long time and you don't get there by putting out junk. I DO have experience with BFG T/A KO tires. They are one the best for light trucks and SUVs, IMO. They have great traction in any weather and long tread life. They give off a slight hum on the road, but to me the hum, like exhaust rumble, are a good thing.

For the price difference, I'd definitely go BFG. I doubt the Pirelli's last any longer, although they are probably quieter. Just my 2 cents.

No thanks for more furry friends. Our 2 cats and a dog are more than enough for our modest home.

currently between the road noise from the AT tires and the Flowmaster exhaust rumbling, it's hard to have a conversation or hear the radio, especially with the windows down (a/c not currently charged - has leaks). I have always felt bad when driving through residential areas late at night with all the noise.

What is interesting about tire prices, they seem to vary a great deal. Case in point i.e. Southern Wheel and Hubcap told me $890 total for the BF Goodrich KOTA yet on NTB online they want $1051 plus shipping. The only difference I could think of is maybe they are differently rated for load? i.e. C vs. E. I hate to give up my Pirelli Scorpian AT status symbol but if it's true about the BFG KOTA then I'll have to adjust .

Send us your friends and relatives that may be interested in a critter please.

 

[blazinlow89]

The Pirellis ride very smooth, and are quiet. Honestly for the money I like the General Grabber AT2's better than the BF Goodrich AT tires. Those things grip like crazy and mud was never an issue. This winter with the Pirellis impressed me enough that I am satisfied with my decision on purchasing them. The only night I had an issue coming home was when we had the heavy wet snow that was freezing as it came down. The tires literally iced over, dropped the tires to about 22 PSI and all was well. PS look online, much cheaper than going through the places around here. I paid under $550 before I got a $75 rebate on the Pirellis. Ordered from Discount tire, and had them mounted at Walmart.

A company called Kenda makes a pretty mean looking tire, but being either an AT or an MT you should always expect road noise. Some of the Trailblazer guys are running them with good results. The Generals were not bad as far as road noise goes, they were not quiet by any means, but I would rate them about 7/10 as far as road noise goes. The Pirellis are about a 4/10.

Here are a few tires from Discount tire and wheel.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=11759&counter=0&ar=75&rd=16&cs=265

I recommend these to anyone who wants a nice AT tire, I liked them better than the Pirelli's, however the size I had them in was to small.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=32402&counter=0&ar=75&rd=16&cs=265

The Pirelli's (mine are not E rated, which you would want for towing)

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/filterTireProducts.do?pgTires=6&cs=265&ar=75&rd=16&counter=0&fl=&sortBy=prca&fqs=true

This is a favorite amongst off roaders, and a very aggressive tire.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=31921&counter=0&ar=75&rd=16&cs=265

E rated would not be a requirement, but helps a lot with towing. You can air them up over 80 PSI, and they handle the weight better than a standard LT, or P metric tire. I run a risk on trails with having a thinner sidewall, but over sand and other grainy surfaces I can get a slightly better footprint, and more flex .

 

[ArkRescue]

Thank you. Goodness I am learning way more than I expected to during this journey. I guess some others reading this are learning along with me. Teach on <g>.

Part of the reason for my Pirelli decision in the past was due to the tread pattern being good at handling off road driving, which is a trying time hauling a trailer with 2 horses, or a load of hay.

What concerns me most about my SUV hauling is that it didn't come with a tow hitch. I had that installed. So I am concerned that my REESE hitch may be less reliable than a vehicle that had one at manufacture. No clue if there is a different attachment process that would make mine less safe?

My next tow vehicle will probably be a diesel.

 

[GURPS]

I put BFG All Terrains 31 x 10.5 x 15s on on my 85 Grand Wagoneer

I like the Tread Pattern

 

[blazinlow89]

Thank you. Goodness I am learning way more than I expected to during this journey. I guess some others reading this are learning along with me. Teach on <g>.

Part of the reason for my Pirelli decision in the past was due to the tread pattern being good at handling off road driving, which is a trying time hauling a trailer with 2 horses, or a load of hay.

What concerns me most about my SUV hauling is that it didn't come with a tow hitch. I had that installed. So I am concerned that my REESE hitch may be less reliable than a vehicle that had one at manufacture. No clue if there is a different attachment process that would make mine less safe?

My next tow vehicle will probably be a diesel.

Aftermarket should be fine, should use the same mounting points as the OEM ones (some vehicles never had an OEM hitch). I trust Reese stuff with alot of my tow stuff. Hell I even picked up a Reese tractor jack (Hi-Lift style), for my offroad jack, it has never failed me.

A member on another forum I am on broke down the diesel vs gas debate when another member asked about a new truck. Basically unless you tow a lot and very heavy stuff, the extra money up front for a diesel, as well as the extra cost in fuel, more expensive components and maintenance is not worth it. I can tow 8,000lbs with my Avalanche, almost double if I use a weight distributing hitch.

I put BFG All Terrains 31 x 10.5 x 15s on on my 85 Grand Wagoneer

I like the Tread Pattern

It is a great pattern, very nice gap between the tread blocks, pretty much self cleaning, and siping for snow and ice use. The AT2 pattern is similar, and that particular design has been copied and modified by many companies. Back in the day that was the end all be all of AT tire design. Today however, the overly inflated price tag is no longer warranted. So many options these days, and even the cheap Chinese knock offs do a decent job. I was using retreads for a while for my offroad only tires, Treadwright makes some nice stuff.

 

[GWguy]

Ark, not trying to be a smartazz here, but if you are so strapped for cash, why are you looking at such expensive tires for an older vehicle? If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at an inexpensive all-weather tire.

 

[RPMDAD]

Agree GW MR. Tire discount tires should be good for a couple of years. Personally i have never had customized rims / tires. Save the Kitties and Pups.

 

[ArkRescue]

Ark, not trying to be a smartazz here, but if you are so strapped for cash, why are you looking at such expensive tires for an older vehicle? If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at an inexpensive all-weather tire.

I am trying to make purchases for the long term. The last set of cheap tires I bought didn't even last 4 years of minimal driving. I have a puddle jumper for most of my driving. The SUV tires need to be quality and able to handle a loaded trailer. I am restoring this SUV because it is cheaper than buying a new(er) one.

 

[blazinlow89]

I am trying to make purchases for the long term. The last set of cheap tires I bought didn't even last 4 years of minimal driving. I have a puddle jumper for most of my driving. The SUV tires need to be quality and able to handle a loaded trailer. I am restoring this SUV because it is cheaper than buying a new(er) one.

I would say I would sell you the Trailblazer, but you can tow more with what you have. Not sure 5100lbs would meet your requirements. It is lifted and already has wheels and tires though.

 

[GURPS]

Back in the day that was the end all be all of AT tire design. Today however, the overly inflated price tag is no longer warranted.

aint that the truth .

.. in the mids 90's I had a 1984 Bronco XLT I put 33x12.5x15's on ..



the tires were $ 95 or 105 each ..... the 31's I bought last summer were IIRC a buck fifty per ...

 

[ArkRescue]

Soooooooooooooooooo I take the truck to Tires Plus to get the front end alignment only to be told AGAIN ... we can't due the alignment due to repairs your truck needs - WHAT? I just had a mechanic do the front end repairs I say. The mechanic says ... your idle arm is about to fall off and your pitman arm also needs to be replaced. I said I paid the side mechanic $500 labor to fix EVERYTHING that was bad in the front end. So I ask TP what they would charge to repair those items and the price was $500+ and I shake my head and leave with my SUV.

So now I have to find a way to get those 2 parts replaced and hope the mechanic is willing to take some new wheels/rims I have for a small dump or similar truck in trade for the labor (the wheel;s are worth way more though and if I can sell them for say half their new cost, maybe I can do better that way? Pretty much all I have left in the bank is enough to get the tires. I am so weary of this long drawn out process of getting this SUV on the road again. I won't drive it until it's sound. A/C? Not vital, so that will obviously wait. Nothing like sitting on a hot blue leather seat in the Summer with the windows down and your long hair blowing in the breeze ACROSS YOUR EYES as you drive LOL ......

 

[glhs837]

Soooooooooooooooooo I take the truck to Tires Plus to get the front end alignment only to be told AGAIN ... we can't due the alignment due to repairs your truck needs - WHAT? I just had a mechanic do the front end repairs I say. The mechanic says ... your idle arm is about to fall off and your pitman arm also needs to be replaced. I said I paid the side mechanic $500 labor to fix EVERYTHING that was bad in the front end. So I ask TP what they would charge to repair those items and the price was $500+ and I shake my head and leave with my SUV.

So now I have to find a way to get those 2 parts replaced and hope the mechanic is willing to take some new wheels/rims I have for a small dump or similar truck in trade for the labor (the wheel;s are worth way more though and if I can sell them for say half their new cost, maybe I can do better that way? Pretty much all I have left in the bank is enough to get the tires. I am so weary of this long drawn out process of getting this SUV on the road again. I won't drive it until it's sound. A/C? Not vital, so that will obviously wait. Nothing like sitting on a hot blue leather seat in the Summer with the windows down and your long hair blowing in the breeze ACROSS YOUR EYES as you drive LOL ......

Stop on by Curtis and see what they say, I'm not a fan of the big chain tire shops. And I think $500 for those two seems a bit steep, but I could be wrong. Parts loot to be about $250 after markup, labor shouldnt be $250, I dont think, these are pretty easy things to replace. did you side guy give you a breakdown of what he did, with receipts for parts?

 

[ArkRescue]

Stop on by Curtis and see what they say, I'm not a fan of the big chain tire shops. And I think $500 for those two seems a bit steep, but I could be wrong. Parts loot to be about $250 after markup, labor shouldnt be $250, I dont think, these are pretty easy things to replace. did you side guy give you a breakdown of what he did, with receipts for parts?

I bought all the parts with his half price discount locally and paid him $500 for the labor to install the ball joints, rotors, upper something or other and brakes.

Sadly the parts place did not ask me if I wanted the cheap ball joints or the greasable ones, I ended up with the cheap non-greasable ones per Tires Plus' mechanic. I am unhappy because I am trying to choose quality parts when given an option of quality. I am hoping these parts will last a long time.

I didn't call the parts store yet to price the idle and pitman arms, and I also need to see what labor to install will be.

 

[glhs837]

Sometimes places like Advance and Autzone might not carry the good stuff, usually Moog. When I did my Chargers stuff (tie rods, upper control arms) I used Rockauto.com and got great prices. pricing the cheapies for your truck, it was about $90 or so for the idler, and like $60 for the pitma. And those were the moog greasble kind, same kind I put on my charger.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1050725,parttype,7368

On that list,all except Ultrapower are good brand names, all OEM (factory) level guys. I would choose the Moog part, or the TRW were it a choice between that and eating lunch.

Same for the Idler arm. $43 for the Moog Problem Solver brand.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1050725,parttype,7328

Now, at Advance auto, same exact Idler arm? $90.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/moog-idler-arm-k6447/20516595-P?searchTerm=idler#

AS for using an online source, Rockauto is rock solid, I know my Charger community has been using them for years. When the daughters Geo crapped it's ignition module, RA had the last OEM one to be found. If you have prices for the parts you bought, might be worth cross shopping that against RA. You do pay shipping, but no state tax.