Found a set of cheap Swampers but...

[BillyBob82]

The only problem with them is that 3 of them have some dry cracking according to the owner. He said they all hold air fine, no gashes, tread is good and the price is really cheap so I'm wondering if they're worth an investment. They are 33x12.5 15s Interco T Birds. I haven't seen the extent of the cracking yet, so I'm wondering how cracking much is too much? Is any cracking too much? What should I be looking for to determine the extent of the dry rot? Again, the price is real cheap so I'm not expecting them to be new, but I don't want to waste money on junk tires either.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Dry cracking is BAD.

Check the build date of any tires you're thinking about buying. There will be a code stamp like 417 or 035 or 2305 near the bead.

The first 2 numbers indicate the week of manufacture, the next number or numbers indicate the year.

So 417= 41st week of 1997
2305= 23rd week of 2005

You want to see 4 numbers.

Most reputable tire shops won't mount anything older than 10 years.

Second, Thornbirds don't have a good reputation and most on the board will say they aren't worth anything.

Third, Think hard about tire age, you're driving a 4x4 that has a reputation for rolling over on the highway, why take a chance on old tires?

Hope this helps

 

[BillyBob82]

good stuff albino, thank you. definitely did not know that about the dating system printed near the bead. I'm not sure about the age of the tires off hand, but i will check that out for sure.

I've read that the T Birds aren't really regarded too highly, mainly because they are an attempt to be useable on any terrain, but consequently do not excel on any one terrain either. My truck is basically a pavement pounder at this point, light towing is really all the stress I'm willing to subject it to. Personally I like how the T Birds look and when I had them on my 4Runner they did well in the snow so I was happy with them.

So basically any rot is too much, that sound about right?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Any rot/cracking IS too much

Yeah, any dry cracking is a sure warning sign.

Car makers, tire manufacturers and the NHTSB ar all pushing for expiration dates for tires. They even have data showing the rubber can rot from the inside with no visable defects starting around 7-8yrs of age.

Sounds like you'd be better off with an AT AND unless you're running 4.10's or higher, towing with 33's will probably kill your tranny.

I just towed a 2500lb tent trailer over Snoqualmie pass running 33's w/ 3.73and the tranny temp guage shot up to 250deg. I think I scorched the ATF (could have been the all day run in 95deg ambient temps though) I even have 2 aux coolers, one with its own fan.

 

[FROADER]

You don't want Thornbirds anyway. They've got to be the ugliest most worthless tire ever made.

 

[BillyBob82]

I just towed a 2500lb tent trailer over Snoqualmie pass running 33's w/ 3.73and the tranny temp guage shot up to 250deg. I think I scorched the ATF (could have been the all day run in 95deg ambient temps though) I even have 2 aux coolers, one with its own fan.

I hear you, my runner had 33s with stock gearing and I had the tranny temp light come on while I was towing a frigging 400lb motorcycle, lol. I'm almost positive my X is geared with 33 M/Ts, but by a previous owner so I'm not sure what ratio. I do know that my speedometer is almost exactly 5 mph faster than I'm actually going, but that's probably just due to the tire diameter.

Froader- LOL, not a fan of the T Birds, huh? I don't know, I always liked the look personally. Form over function

 

[IZwack]

You really dont want Thornbirds but having said that, cracking on the Interco's is common and my older SXs have them on the lugs. Its no big deal on the lugs as long as there arent too many on the sidewalls.

 

[BillyBob82]

i think at this point, from what everyone has said, I'm going to pass. Maybe I'll look for some boggers later on this summer.