Ordered my new tires today!

[Purple Penelope]

Originally Posted by Jerry226

Ordered my General Grabbers today.2 in ohio 2 in indy. To be installed this sat.I think I can set my speedo with my diablo predator?

Don't believe you can. Your speedo will be slower by 3 mph than your actual speed.

[Cape Cod Blur]

Ah the saga continues......I contacted a local General dealer to mount my new tires, and after THREE exchanges by email, I get this reply.....

That is not something we can install on your vehicle unfortunately. When changing sizes, the overall diameter of the tires must stay within 3% of the original. Both of these upgrades are outside of that range. You can generally adjust the first number one step (+/-10) or you can usually adjust the first number by two steps and the second number by one (+10/-5 or -10+5), but you cannot just change the middle number.The terms “Plus One” and “Minus One” refer to adjusting the rim size by one inch – not the middle number. We would be happy to help you with installing the proper size tires.


Yeah, right. Let me spend $800 on tires that you can't get, just so you can feel good about putting them on my truck. I can't believe that in this economy, they would turn down work, that is basically all profit. Guess I need to make a few more calls.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

[Flassh]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

Ah the saga continues......I contacted a local General dealer to mount my new tires, and after THREE exchanges by email, I get this reply.....

That is not something we can install on your vehicle unfortunately. When changing sizes, the overall diameter of the tires must stay within 3% of the original. Both of these upgrades are outside of that range. You can generally adjust the first number one step (+/-10) or you can usually adjust the first number by two steps and the second number by one (+10/-5 or -10+5), but you cannot just change the middle number.The terms “Plus One” and “Minus One” refer to adjusting the rim size by one inch – not the middle number. We would be happy to help you with installing the proper size tires.


Yeah, right. Let me spend $800 on tires that you can't get, just so you can feel good about putting them on my truck. I can't believe that in this economy, they would turn down work, that is basically all profit. Guess I need to make a few more calls.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

You didn't mention sizes, but I'm assuming you went up one number on the aspect ratio? The easier route is to go wider, with a lower aspect ratio, staying close to the overall diameter.

I think your General tire shop is enyoying being excessively cautious and being a PITA because you didn't buy the tires from them.

Check this info on Hunter Road Force balancing. Go to balancers, look for the GSP9700.
Hunter Engineering Company, Leading Manufacturer of Automotive Wheel Service Equipment

They have a dealer locator that will find a shop in your area with a Hunter balancer.

http://www.gsp9700.com/


I had major vibration issues with the RSAs on my 06. The road force balancing really helped. It will be money well spent.

You should be able to find another installer with a Hunter machine who will take the job on.

[turnheadz]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

I got the Grabbers in the recommended sizes from the Official SSR Tire Database.....255/50/19 and 295/45/20. I saw this setup in PA this past year and really liked having a little bit more rubber between the rim and the road. I was also told they are quite good in the wet. ( you know, that stuff you try to avoid, but always end up driving thru on the way to a cruise ) Tire Rack promised they would be here by mid week.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

Originally Posted by Flassh

You didn't mention sizes, but I'm assuming you went up one number on the aspect ratio? The easier route is to go wider, with a lower aspect ratio, staying close to the overall diameter.

I think your General tire shop is enyoying being excessively cautious and being a PITA because you didn't buy the tires from them.

Check this info on Hunter Road Force balancing. Go to balancers, look for the GSP9700.
Hunter Engineering Company, Leading Manufacturer of Automotive Wheel Service Equipment

They have a dealer locator that will find a shop in your area with a Hunter balancer.

Hunter GSP9700 Wheel vibration Control System solves wheel vibration and tire pull problems that balancers and aligners can?t fix


I had major vibration issues with the RSAs on my 06. The road force balancing really helped. It will be money well spent.

You should be able to find another installer with a Hunter machine who will take the job on.

sizes in red

[DOOPHUS]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

Ah the saga continues......I contacted a local General dealer to mount my new tires, and after THREE exchanges by email, I get this reply.....

That is not something we can install on your vehicle unfortunately. When changing sizes, the overall diameter of the tires must stay within 3% of the original. Both of these upgrades are outside of that range. You can generally adjust the first number one step (+/-10) or you can usually adjust the first number by two steps and the second number by one (+10/-5 or -10+5), but you cannot just change the middle number.The terms “Plus One” and “Minus One” refer to adjusting the rim size by one inch – not the middle number. We would be happy to help you with installing the proper size tires.


Yeah, right. Let me spend $800 on tires that you can't get, just so you can feel good about putting them on my truck. I can't believe that in this economy, they would turn down work, that is basically all profit. Guess I need to make a few more calls.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

I smell Ca Ca, Jeff . . . the difference in size is barely noticeable.

Sounds like your local General Dealer is less than happy you didn't purchase the tires directly from them.

There must be another tire shop in your area willing to accommodate you.

[Flassh]

Originally Posted by turnheadz

sizes in red

Thanks - apparently missed that post.

Going oversize does get a little touchy, especially with a lowered truck.

Didn't want to go oversize on fronts or rears. Tom (Skeet) reinforced my thinking with his post last week about going oversize on his Toyos and not being totally happy with the look. Front clearance on his was borderline on turns, and I'm 1" lower than he is.

That left me with the Nittos or the Michelins to come close in size, but stay under OEM size. Nittos were a bunch less than the Michelins, had great reviews. I'm 1" under on the fronts, 1/2" under on the rears, which should increase the big/little appearance.

[Flassh]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

I got the Grabbers in the recommended sizes from the Official SSR Tire Database.....255/50/19 and 295/45/20.

Can you steer me to the "Official SSR Tire Database" to check out the recommendations?

[Jerry226]

Went to diablosport site and ask about recalibrating speedo with a prediator and they said yes you can do it.tech said the rears are the only one that matters.I get my tires tomorrow and I will try it and report back.

[Cape Cod Blur]

the local GMC garage said they would do it. They also have a road force balancer, but said they only really use it when they have a problem tire.

Wish me luck! Jeff
Cape Cod Blur

[gmac]

Get em on and get drivin"

Good luck!

G

[Ripshift]

Jeff, when I went to a GMC dealer up here after I called and they said they could do it. They took one look at my rears and said they would send those out. They sent me to Long Distance Tire in Medway, they have the right machine for our wide and low profile tires. I had just painted the insides the day before and this machine didn't grab there. When balancing they hid the small outer wgts in back of one of the spokes. It was a brand new balancer, not sure what kind. Cost 60 bucks for 2 m/b/new stems and disposal. I'll be taking my fronts there soon as they are repainted.

[craftybeth]

Thanks to advice from Doophus, I INSISTED on the General Grabbers...Mark got them, finally, thru the Army, and I drove up to Ft Rucker last week , where they had no trouble getting them, tho General tires couldn't, Discount, Tire Rack, Tire Kingdom, etc, couldn't. Once we got there to have them installed, they tried to talk us out of them, saying they were 'too much tire' for that 'little' truck. When I told the guy I'd ordered the Grabbers off of advice from the SSR Fabatics Forum, he said 'I always advise people with specialty vehicles to go to the forums and talk to those people...they know so much more than we do!' What a difference in ride those tires make!!! AWESOME!!!

[Flassh]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

I got the Grabbers in the recommended sizes from the Official SSR Tire Database.....255/50/19 and 295/45/20. I saw this setup in PA this past year and really liked having a little bit more rubber between the rim and the road. I was also told they are quite good in the wet. ( you know, that stuff you try to avoid, but always end up driving thru on the way to a cruise ) Tire Rack promised they would be here by mid week.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

Still looking for the Official SSR Tire Database.

Hopefully it mentions some of the concerns and potential issues about going oversize on tires.

One concern, as several have had, is with the traction control not working properly.

Keep in mind also that the Grabbers are over an inch taller than stock, both front and rear. There might be some clearance issues on lowered trucks. Your speedo will be out approx 4%.

The Grabber is a great tire. Nice tread pattern, very good wear ratio, great price.

A wider, lower aspect ratio tire that could stay within the 3% tolerance range recommended would be a better choice. Too bad the Grabber doesn't come in a better range of sizes.

[Cape Cod Blur]

I finally have my Grabbers on! Yea!
And got a front end alignment! Yea!
I told them NOT to test drive it. Thats right!
They said it is standard operating proceedure.
I said NO! They thought I was crazy. Who cares.
I told them SSR parts are hard to get.

And they scraped the front one of my rims. Boo.
And they chipped the paint off a center cap. Boo.
The scrape buffed out about 90%. Yea.
They ordered a new centercap. Yea.
I told them They would be back ordered.
They said no problem, we can get it.
They told me, you were right.

Nothing is ever easy. Thats right!
They charged me less than quoted! Yea!

I really do like the look of the tires, and they ride nice. Yea.
Clearance is a little tight on the front edge of the front tire
on the INSIDE as the tire is turned out. I will wait to see if
ant actual rub occurs. I think I could actually tuck the liner
in about 3/8" if I need to. If I see a rub there. We'll see.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

[HarleyGuy]

I've been reading the posts about checking and or replacing the tires on our SSR's.
My SSR is an '04 with approximately 15,000 miles on it.
It has never been in the snow or cold weather and it's stored at least 6 months out of twelve, and as you can see it averages just a little over 2500 miles in those 6 months per season.
My original front tires were replaced (under warranty) in August, 2006.
I'll have my tires checked for the coming season but I'm going to put my order in for a new set of OEM's and I'll take them when they are available.

FWIW.
After reading posts about uneven front tire wear (both inside tires) I had my dealer do a front end alignment (setting the wheel alignment at "0") and my front tires are wearing evenly.
In Michigan we have alot of flat, straight roads and highways and a slight loss in performance handling that some people who live in areas may notice is not a big

Cheap PM Reminder.
When removing and replacing wheels and wheel center caps, be sure that you put fresh two-sided tape on four of the "prongs" of the center cap to prevent the cap from spinning, or coming off.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy

...In Michigan we have alot of flat, straight roads and highways and a slight loss in performance handling that some people who live in areas may notice is not a big.

As I recall, a lot of those straight, flat, roads are concrete, and tend to have two worn "grooves" from tire wear, especially in the truck lane. My experience with that type of road, and the factory tires, around here is, moisture tends to gather in those "grooves. When it does, almost any movement of the stop, or go, pedals, will get you sideways quickly. It's embarrassing.

[Scott 0168]

Originally Posted by DOOPHUS

Remember, Scott . . . the AGE of a tire can be as dangerous as the mileage.

When I replaced the OEMs a little over a year ago, they only had about 10K miles but were almost seven years old which was more than a year older than The Doophus.

After a closer inspection my 8 year old fronts were cracked! Went with new original Goodyears dated 3-11 all the way around.

[Focks]

Not only is it a good time to order new tires but its smart, too. The price of rubber has gone up almost 75%, according to the report I heard on news this morning. Tire prioces across the board are going to be going up in the next few months.

[HarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by Scott 0168

After a closer inspection my 8 year old fronts were cracked! Went with new original Goodyears dated 3-11 all the way around.

Scott;

Where did you get your tires?

[Scott 0168]

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy

Scott;

Where did you get your tires?

Discount Tires here in Kalamazoo!

[Jerry226]

Got my Grabbers installed today.Wow what a differance in ride and handling.Also I calibrated my speedo with the prediator.It is right on.You put in the rear size and reload map and it works great.

[drivin topless]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Blur

I finally have my Grabbers on! Yea!
And got a front end alignment! Yea!
I told them NOT to test drive it. Thats right!
They said it is standard operating proceedure.
I said NO! They thought I was crazy. Who cares.
I told them SSR parts are hard to get.

And they scraped the front one of my rims. Boo.
And they chipped the paint off a center cap. Boo.
The scrape buffed out about 90%. Yea.
They ordered a new centercap. Yea.
I told them They would be back ordered.
They said no problem, we can get it.
They told me, you were right.

Nothing is ever easy. Thats right!
They charged me less than quoted! Yea!

I really do like the look of the tires, and they ride nice. Yea.
Clearance is a little tight on the front edge of the front tire
on the INSIDE as the tire is turned out. I will wait to see if
ant actual rub occurs. I think I could actually tuck the liner
in about 3/8" if I need to. If I see a rub there. We'll see.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

Jeff, so how do you like the new tires? Better ride? Better handling? Any rub? Good in the wet?

Am I correct, you will not be in Maggie Valley this year?

You said you saw the tires in PA last year, at Hershey I’m guessing. Do you know who had them? I would like to get a look at them before I purchase.

[Jerry226]

I will be at MV and you can look at my Grabbers.

[drivin topless]

Originally Posted by Jerry226

I will be at MV and you can look at my Grabbers.

Thanks… I ASSUMED someone there would have them.

Jeff: Thanks for the info. Hope to see you somewhere this “top down” season.

[ATLMike]

Originally Posted by Flassh

Thanks - apparently missed that post.

Going oversize does get a little touchy, especially with a lowered truck.

Didn't want to go oversize on fronts or rears. Tom (Skeet) reinforced my thinking with his post last week about going oversize on his Toyos and not being totally happy with the look. Front clearance on his was borderline on turns, and I'm 1" lower than he is.

That left me with the Nittos or the Michelins to come close in size, but stay under OEM size. Nittos were a bunch less than the Michelins, had great reviews. I'm 1" under on the fronts, 1/2" under on the rears, which should increase the big/little appearance.

Flassh

How are you enjoying the Nittos? I too am deciding between the Generals, Nittos, and Michelins. I don't want it to look more truck like so I guess the Generals are out. The Michelins Pilot PS2s are $600 more than the Nittos. The Nittos are slightly shorter. How do they look and feel to you?


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

[JIMJOEVAL]

AFTER I WAS RUN OFF THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT A GOOD RATE OF SPEED I BLEW THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AND DAMAGED BOTH RIMS...IT WAS A SITUATION WHERE I GRABBED WHAT I COULD.. ONE RIM AT DEALERS PRICE (900.+) AND DROVE TO A FANATIC IN LONG ISLAND FOR THE 2ND ONE, BRAND NEW, FOR $400. I HAD SETTLED FOR THE OEM's IN THE FRONT...AND MY ONLY IMMEDIATE CHOICE FOR THE REAR WERE "CONTINENTAL's EXTREME CONTACT DWS"...
THEY ARE A SOFTER RIDE AND FIND THEM TO BE A BETTER GRIP ON WET SURFACES....
I DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT THEM (CONTINENTAL) FROM OTHER FANATICS....