Michelin LTX MS or AT2?

[Joe Dirt]

Thanks for the thoughts- I was thinking about the same thing Sunday on the tread design, and I doubt that the M/S would really do worse, and I honestly don't like the look of the A/T2's.

If the stockers are 235 70 16's, I can run a 245 65 16, or a 255 60 16, with similar circumference yes? 245 70r 16's would be about 15mm taller but should be ok?

Discount says I can run a 70 series?

Going from stock 15" to the 16" 70:

 

[NCRYPTD]

I got a pair of LTX M/S in the second Firestone recall. I ran them 135,000 miles. They still had more tread on them than alot of those lil car tires, but I had hydroplaned a bit on a real rainy day, so decided it was time. When I went to the tire store, they had some LTX M/S, and I said oh man of course, that's what I want. In the end they were just a little bit cheaper than the BF Goodrichs they wanted me to buy. But I'm like no, 135k speaks volumes to me, on being a better buy.

 

[ahodges]

Thanks for the thoughts- I was thinking about the same thing Sunday on the tread design, and I doubt that the M/S would really do worse, and I honestly don't like the look of the A/T2's.

If the stockers are 235 70 16's, I can run a 245 65 16, or a 255 60 16, with similar circumference yes? 245 70r 16's would be about 15mm taller but should be ok?

Discount says I can run a 70 series?

Going from stock 15" to the 16" 70:

Joe, First off. I have a pair of the old LTX/AT tires that got bad reviews, and I don't really see why. I have over 90,000 miles on them now and still have a lot of tread left (Mine are the load range C tire though so they ride a little stiffer). Those are now on my Ranger and I put 245/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers on my explorer now and those are awesome as far as off road traction, on-road ride, and in the rain. All around those are great tires but I think that the tread wear isn't as good.

As for the size difference, you can fit any of those sizes you listed I think but they will affect your speedo. For example the picture you have listed, going from the stock 28.5 inch tire to the 30.1 inch will yeild around 5 miles per hour off at 60. I currently have the 30.1 inch with the Nitto's and I wouldn't advise getting any taller or wider of a tire in a stock set up. My offset is a bit wider than stock and the tires just bearly clear at full lock.

Also I had a 3.55 gear ratio stock and when I went with the 30.1" tire my performance dropped off big time. So much so that with the 4.0 OHV it wouldn't stay in overdrive going down the highway. I switched to 3.73 ratios and everything is back to normal, even the speedo.

 

[ahodges]

Hey Joe. Did you make a tire decision yet?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I did- I grabbed a set of BF Long Trails. I ended up trying the 255 70 16's. I'll probably just get a speedo gear if needed. Smokin' deal, so I couldn't pass them up. I couldn't decide between the LTX MS and the MS2's, so I ditched them both and went with something different so I wouldn't regret getting the 'wrong' LTX tire.

 

[ahodges]

lol, oh ok. A man with a plan

 

[BXTF]

HI ALL.
I have a 2001 sport trac with Goodyear wrangler radials 235/75R 15 5000 miles on them and they are in my opinion PIS. I would like to either get theses same size 235/75R15 Michelin LTX M/S 2 or 16 on 2001 Crown Vic rims depending if I can sell the OEM rims and tires. Does any one know what the M/S 2 stands for? I thought it was LTX M/S and is there a difference between the two thanks in advance.

 

[gijoecam]

HI ALL.
I have a 2001 sport trac with Goodyear wrangler radials 235/75R 15 5000 miles on them and they are in my opinion PIS. I would like to either get theses same size 235/75R15 Michelin LTX M/S 2 or 16 on 2001 Crown Vic rims depending if I can sell the OEM rims and tires. Does any one know what the M/S 2 stands for? I thought it was LTX M/S and is there a difference between the two thanks in advance.

The M/S2 is their redesigned M/S. They modified the tread pattern slightly to open up the tread blocks on the outer edge to help displace the water and prevent hydroplaning, they modified the tread compound a little bit for longer life and better performance, and the modified their tread sipe design, which helps the tread blocks stay more square under cornering loads, which increases feel... Helps it feel less squirmy under cornering.

 

[BXTF]

The M/S2 is their redesigned M/S. They modified the tread pattern slightly to open up the tread blocks on the outer edge to help displace the water and prevent hydroplaning, they modified the tread compound a little bit for longer life and better performance, and the modified their tread sipe design, which helps the tread blocks stay more square under cornering loads, which increases feel... Helps it feel less squirmy under cornering.

Gijoecam.
Thank you for your fast response and explation on the two different tires so I guess the M/S2 would be the way to go for me? I have been out of the loop for a while and wanted to get the proper information on the differences between the two before buying them and this forum has been very helpful thanks again.

BXTF.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Ok all, since I wanted to know, I figured I'd follow up with the results of the swap in order to get the info into the thread.

I went from 235 75R 15's, to the 255 70R 16's, with the following dimensions from the info above.

At 70 MPH, here is the difference in the speedo:

After my trip, here is the difference in the odometer (trip meter):

So there is (to me) a pretty good difference in mileage, so I'll be swapping over the speedo gear soon to keep everything accurate.

 

[J_Train]

you may be able to get a speedo gear out of a explorer that came with 16's i'd say you could have mine but my dad might get it if he gets an explorer.the tire you bought are what im running and thats the propper size im actually surprised to see such a big difference in your milage and speed difference. i put both m/s2, and a/t2 on a bunch of county trucks as well as fwc trucks here in florida they love em they get about 70-80k out of em.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Speedo gear ordered- $6.00