New to the Datsun. Tire suggestions?

[Java&Whiskey]

Just picked up a 1982 diesel with a little over 200K. Everything seems pretty mechanically sound. Going to change the oil and check the tranny fluid Saturday as long it doesn't rain. The biggest thing this truck needs is some tires. The front wheel are balled as hell (The back two are nice though). Any tire suggestions from anybody? All the places I've been calling are give me a quote for $400 to replace these tires with standard all terrain ones. This is my first truck is that a good price? If I'm going to shell out that much are there some better tires to buy? Thanks.

[datzenmike]

Well do you need all terrain tires? Or do you drive mostly on pavement?

[Java&Whiskey]

Pavement

[wayno]

Welcome  B)

If the back tires are good, just go to a used tire place and buy two tires that will get you by till you need all 4 at the same time, sounds like your alignment is out of whack, and maybe you need to fix that also.

If you just buy two used ones, it will likely be closer to $100.00, depending on where you go.

[Java&Whiskey]

http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/whiskeyjava/media/00V0V_6RJHVjTsd2M_600x450_zps18d90ee6.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[wayno]

Here you go, above the photo is a little box that looks like a chain link in your photobucket account, click on it, and then click on the IMG code at the bottom.

[wayno]

I have a few Datsun diesels myself, they are not very fast, but they get good mileage.  :)

[Dawa]

well remember that the majority of the braking takes place at the front, so you want the front tires to be the best.

and if just the fronts are bald, yes that could mean alignment issues but again it could also be because the previous owner

had a heavy foot or they just sucked at braking = worn out front tires sooner. 

[metalmonkey47]

In a truck the last thing you want is your better tires in the front. Especially our light ass trucks.

[Jdm720]

Decent used tires in my area are 15 bucks a pop.. Most I would pay for a used one would be 25 bucks. "Okay" brand new ones can be had starting at $50.. At least around here..

Every now and then chain tire shops will have some decent specials as well, which usually include a nice warranty. Don't hold back on the alignment, sounds like you need it.

[72O]

I would rotate the tires for now and get used tires for the back whenever you get the chance. Fix what needs to fix for now and save up some $$$ for new tires whenever you will need it.

[72O]

By the way, welcome to Ratsun  B)

 

Everybody is a big help here.

[slemers]

What size tire and rims are you running now? If you want to go cheap I have a set of 185/65/R14's you can have cheap. You can them mounted and balanced for 10 a wheel in Vancouver. My wife wants them gone....( What a surprise)

If you have 15" wheels never mind :)

 

Slemers

[Java&Whiskey]

I've got 27/8.5/R14 on them right now. 

[millican]

The only hitch I ran into was the only new tires I could find were for passenger cars. They've held up fine though. Maybe since they're 14", they were designed for those old passenger cars that weigh so much more than these trucks?

[slemers]

I've got 27/8.5/R14 on them right now. 

 

I shot you a pm, These are cluttering up my garage, They have 3/32 tread life left. Should be good for 4 to 5 thousand miles before they hit the wear bars. I believe they are Optimo's