No LT installation at Costco

[jimslat]

Don't worry, the restriction is like I said - 1997-2001. I got this directly from Ford and Michelin. The suspension on this vintage is different from your 1994. As a matter of fact, the rear suspension springs on my 2001 Sport are a bit beefer than the previous model.

I find it hard to believe, but I'm not letting Ford off the hook if I get killed in this rig! Anyway, the Pirellis are doing just fine by me.....

 

[kilroy]

Figures

The restriction is for the year of my truck! :fire:

I would just like to Firestone!

 

[Dolphan]

LT @ Costco

I got the same message NO LT on Explorers,and I have a 93 Limited. The reason/excuse was LT sidewalls are too firm and may increase risk of rollover. I tried to confirm this with Ford calling the 800 number listed in the full page ad in the paper - but NOONE at Ford knew anything. In fact, when calling the Ford number they said it was not Ford but the tire help line and Costco was not an authorized dealer, so I filed a complaint to get someone to respond and have not heard anything yet.

 

[jimslat]

As far as I know, the restriction is for the 1997-2001 model years. Ford has been less than helpful about this, but after I *****ed about this they finally gave me the info. Strange enough, the people on the Michelin customer support line gave me the low down and why. It has to do with the suspension on this vintage which is very different from the arlier models. According to Michelin the suspension was designed around a non-LT tire to control rollover. Even the people at Michelin could not understand why Ford chose not to work around an "LT" rated tire. The last set of Michelin LTX I had on my 1999 Jeep had a much better ride than the "P" rated Wranglers RTS supplied OEM.

Michelin is about to introduce a new AT tire for the 1997-2001 models. I would have waited for them, but they are not due out until 1/2001. If you can't wait, go for the Pirelli Scorpion AT. Believe it or not, the Michelin rep I spoke to suggested looking at that tire since it was one of the few out there with the right size and rating for my 2001 Sport.

I hope I did not confuse you folks out there.....

 

[Dolphan]

Talked to Ford customer service again and explained that I had non Firestone and non OEM size tires on now, they agreed as the customer spending their own money I could put on any size tire I want or LT instead of P rated. I asked if someone would tell Costco or authorized dealers, he stated that if it's a problem to goto a Ford dealer and have them write up a letter stating approval. He also stated that it would void any warranty in that area - but with the 93' not really a problem.

 

[jimslat]

My 2001 Sport is too new to experiment with. Case in point about warranty coverage and tires - I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee that originally came with 225/75-15 Wrangler RTS (junk). I went to COSTCO to buy the Michelin LTX, but they only had the LT235/75-15 size. I thought how much trouble could the larger size be, besides the Jeep's ride, handling and looks all improved, that is until the computer light kept going on and off after a day or two of driving. To make a long story short, the Chrysler dealer found a code that referred to a disagreement between vehicle speed and engine RPM. He was perplexed until he looked closely at the tires, only because they were brand new and looked a little beefier than stock. At that point he told me to get the right sized tire because the warranty will be voided, especially when came to the suspension. COSTCO gladly order and installed the new tires and accpeted the 235's back, while giving me back $20.00! The right sized tires cleared up the computer problem.

Chrysler was not kidding about the warranty being voided and I am sure our freinds at Ford will have no problem screwing anybody regarding warranty or litigation issues that arise form accidents. Look at how lame they have been about the Widerness AT fiasco! It wasn't us that put that garbage on our trucks!

[Edited by jimslat on 09-06-2000 at 05:05 AM]

 

[LADYbug1104]

So should I get my tires replaced?

I've been reading about what all of you have done to your trucks... Well, I'm getting a 2001 Exp. Sport this weekend... with the premium sport group, meaning I get the Wilderness AT 16" tires... should I have them replaced?

 

[kilroy]

Definatly!

Have them put some other brand on, don't accept Firestones.

 

[Charlie H]

LADYbug1104,

It's hard to say if you should have them replaced or not. My father just got a new 2000 XLT and he also has the Wilderness AT on his. The dealer reassured him that these tires were fine, but still you have to wonder after all the stuff you read in the news. I have Wilderness AT on my Explorer that were not on the recall. I had an independent tire shop look at them and they told me the tires look fine and that I should just leave them on there unless they order a recall on all the tires and I can get them replaced for free. I have discussed the matter with my wife and we both thought that I should just replace them anyway. We have a baby coming in about 7 weeks and it's not worth the worry for $500. That's a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety.

 

[LADYbug1104]

I think I'll get them replaced...

But do you all think that it would be okay to wait until next January? According to JimSlat... the new Michelin AT tires are coming out by then... My dad had told me that if I were to get my tires replaced, get Michelin tires... all of our other cars use this brand, and they're all pretty good... As for the Exp Sport I'm getting... well, I won't be doing anything else besides city and highway driving... so do you all think it will be okay to wait about 5 months before I get them replaced??? And yes, the dealers have assured me that the new tires on the Sports are reliable... but it's true... You never know... And of course, if I have to pick between my life and the lives of others vs. saving $500 on tires... of course I would pick my life and the lives of others... I just want to know if you all think it's okay to wait for the michelin tires...

Thanks

 

[kilroy]

Have the dealer replace them, or don't buy it from them. After all that has been going on with the tires, and knowing first hand how bad they are, I wouldn't buy a truck with these tires on.

 

[LADYbug1104]

yeah, I know....

My dad was pretty upset because the dealers are not willing to change the tires for free... My dad's like... "But it's not your fault their tires are defective, so why should you pay extra??!!" Yeah, I can see my dad's point... so I'm going to have to hold my purchase...

Our family banker/accountant said that Ford will be buried deep in the near future... With all this bad publicity, they have already lost so many customers... They will be forced to sever the contract with Firestone and replace all tires with a different brand... or if not that, due to low sales, they will have to drop the prices... Either or, my dad said I get to save money... So I guess that's what I'm going to do... *Sigh ...

It's just sad coz it's the tires that have the problem, not the trucks... Ford made a stupid move putting up with Firestone, and now they are paying for it... Not only is Firestone's reputation sunk, but Ford's as well... And things will get worse if it can be proven that Ford knew about the Firestone problem, but did nothing about it, or even tried to hide it... Many people died...

*Tsk-*Tsk... Either case, I'll still have to wait... I'm not going to pay for something I am not responsible for... At least I get to save money... I'm just glad that I have not bought it yet... I'll just have to wait for all this dust to clear...

 

[TPLYNCH]

If the Ford Dealer wants the sale, he'll replace the tires for you at no charge. If one dealer is unwilling, try another. Tell them up front, you want to buy the truck, but the Crapstones have to go. They want the sale. The tires won't cost them anything to replace. They'll do it. If you want to wait for Michelins if they don't have them, try making a deal with the dealer to get the Crapstones that come with replaced in the future when the Michelins come in as part of your sale. Can't hurt to try!

Reports are that Ford has made a deal with Michelin to supply OEM tires in the near future for the Explorers and other trucks that came almost exclusively with Crapstones.

 

[flyguy]

Personally I think Firestone isnt as bad as everyone claims. I have some HT's on mine and I dont feel Im going to die all the time. I drive them VERY hard in a VERY hot climate... and they look better than ever. Ive been very happy with them... And I have to say, my AT's (I think they were ATs...) on my ride before this... served me well too. Now...I would definatly want some BF Goodrich tires on there instead... but the firestones wouldnt stop me from buying the car. Ive been complaint free with them for 6 years. Also... has anyone had the BFG Long Trail Tires and the AT KO's? Im trying to decide between the two... I do mostly city driving.. but my truck has seen a little bit of off road/snow action. Not a whole lot though.

Oh... Charisse, I never heard from ya. When can I pick you up?

Nick

 

[jimslat]

Hey LadyBug........

One of the OEM tires supplied on my 2001 Sport developed a funky crack after a round trip from New York to Delaware. The Firestone dealer claimed it was only an cosmetic problem, but they were very quick to replace the tire with a new Widerness AT. Instead I put on Pirelli Scorpion AT tires. It was the best thing I did. The ride and handling improvement only proved what a piece of crap these tires were.

I was at the dealer (Flemington Ford in NJ) where I purchased the vehicle and I saw a large pile of Widerness AT tires and could not find a new vehicle with the Firestone tires on them. Now that is being proactive! I would only purchase the vehicle if the dealer is willing to deliver it without the Firestone tires.

 

[Dolphan]

LT vs. P

The LT tires hold more weight, I saw a chart somewhere but now I can't find it, they are also stiffer sidewalls. The P tires I think would ride a little softer - can anyone who has tried both tell how the difference in the ride is?

 

[kilroy]

Lt's give it a much stiffer ride, you will feel every crack in the road. P's are Passenger tires, soft sidewalls absorb the bumps from cracks more so you don't feel it. You really only need LT's if you plan on pulling a heavy trailer, otherwise, unless you plan to shove 100 car batteries, or caryy a lot of Mercury, you really don't need them.

 

[jimslat]

Stiffer?

Hey Kilroy,

In theory you are 100% correct! However, I do think it depends on the brand. When I replaced my "P" rated Wrangler RTS on my 1999 Jeep I chose the Michelin LTX "LT" rated tire. I was shocked by the improvement in ride quality and handling. The LTX provided a much more comfortable ride. Go figure!

 

[LADYbug1104]

Yeah... the way I see it, I have two choices...

I can either wait for Ford to start using a different tire brand for their Explorers here in Florida, or I can just look for a dealer that will be willing to replace the tires for free... These are the only two options I can be satisfied with... Thanks for everyone's opinions...

Oh, and Nick... go read my other thread to see my response to your question... if in case you have not read it yet...

 

[zavetsky]

A third choice

Ladybug....

But there IS a third choice..........one that people seem to keep forgetting about with all the hub bub.......

For the folks that are worried about their safety, etc etc during the wait for Firestone and/or Ford to come through....

Just go buy new tires and get reimbursed. Believe me..I know that coming up with $400+ for new tires on the spur of the moment isn't easy......

But I was faced with a decision.....

1) Leave the ATXs on my truck and HOPE that I didnt become a statistic (several folks who took this route HAVE become a statistic already!) while waiting a month or longer to get God-knows-what kind of replacements from Firestone

2) Bite the bullet and come up with "some" way to buy quality tires now and get reimbursed later (hopefully)by Firestone, if they don't belly up........

3) Leave the truck parked until it was worked out........

I asked my self one question: how much is my life and my family's lives worth? I then found the decision very easy to make.....#3 was NOT an option for me.......

I ended up having to apply for a 90-days same as cash credit card at the tire shop to be able to do it....but I would rather hafta worry about one more monthly bill than be dead.......Is this a bit dramatic? Sure.....but tell that to the 80 some folks who have been killed cause of disintegrating tires. Remeber: Hindsight is always 20/20.......

So: In the end, it's our choice and our gamble....we know about the problem, we know what measures have been taken to "fix" the problem, we know the waits involved, we know what we ourselves are willing to gamble.........AT this point, if ANYONE else dies in a Firestone related accident, it is now also their own fault....there has been too much news about this and too much publicity for anyone to claim that they didnt have a chance to make a decision.......

Myself? Tell that bill collector to leave his number.... I'll call back tomorrow...I got new tires so I should be around to be able to call him back............