mauserdoc

Greetings!

I am a new user in alaska. I bought my 1997 f150 xl 4x4 when I arrived for 2500$. it has the 4.2 engine and has never failed to start. it has almost 200k on it and could die at any time, but it has lasted 2 years so far driving 5 miles a day on paved and unpaved roads to and from work. it isnt driven over 45 mph. I know nothing of its maintenance history. I change oil and filter every 1500 miles.

I am proud of this old truck but only use it for transportation because I can't afford to tear it up.

I have almost no mechanical ability and not a lot of tools, but am trying to make slow improvements on this truck and learn as i go to keep it going. It is in better shape than you would think given its mileage and life in alaska. I do have an occasional week off when i can work on it. mechanics here take a long time to get work done and charge at least 100$/hr.

I'm hoping to use this forum as a resource along with you-tube to keep my truck going.

So far, I have had the front brakes replaced and am looking into replacing my tires. I will have many general mechanical questions as time goes by. IS THIS THE CORRECT FORUM FOR THIS KIND OF POST/TOPIC?

My question today has to do with tires. Im hoping to get some off the net and get shipped to me. my current tires are 265/70/16 on factory rims. Does
will a 265/75/16 fit on these rims and work for my needs? Secondly, does anyone have any experience with what economy mud tread type tires might work best for mud show and ice. I was thinking of getting federal or mastercraft type tires that are on the net now in the 130-160 price range each, but wonder if anyone knows if any of these are better or worse in these conditions.

thanks in advance for responses!

akdoggie

Greetings from Anchorage. Where in AK are you? Welcome aboard.

mauserdoc

kodiak.

akdoggie

Been there a few times. I've got a set of 16 inch AM Racing 160's and BFG RWL's. I also have a set of the KR/Expy 2001 up wheels (17's and another set of 17's FX4) if you ever get up this way. If I can help, PM me and I'll see what I can do to answer your questions or tell who has what in South Central AK.

mauserdoc

Thank you! I can see networking is key up here. my current tires are about shot, but ok for rest of summer; its amazing how short the summer is here compared with down south. trying to get some good practical rubber on the truck before kodiak winter weather arrives again.

link5631

I'm up here in Fairbanks, so don't feel alone on the forums!

Don't skimp out on tires up here. The ONLY all season tires I will ever put on a truck are Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs and Cooper Discoverer STT Maxx's... They dig in the mud, will get you out of anything and are absolute beasts in the winters up here. Duratracs are my number one choice, that's what they put on the trucks up north at Prudhoe Bay, so you know they are strong. Avoid BFG All Terrains... They're like ice skates on the ice and everyone who praises them also drive around in 4wd everywhere they go... Kind of defeats the purpose of good tires. I leave my vehicles in 2wd in the winter and only put it in 4wd when I need it. Never been in the ditch, never wrecked and I always stop... That is why I like my Duratracs and my Discover STT Maxx's.

If you can't afford good all seasons, buy some cheap, but good studded Hankook I-pikes for the winter and save your money for a decent summer tire when the winter is over. Good luck!

akdoggie

What part of NP are you in. My GF and I have a place on 5th and Holiday. I'll be back up there this weekend.

Personally I run Hakkappalletta's year round, less studs. I gave up on Coopers, they were too damn loud with our highway pavement. Between the Hakka's and my Mustang's Hankook EVO's, I find that they will go about anywhere in the Anchorage area in the winter. The best winter tires I've encountered is the Blizzaks. No studs, great stopping power in the snow and ice. Different areas of AK, different tires. Just like anywhere else. Fairbanks is so dry, where Anchorage has lots of moisture in the air. Just my perspective of my 60 + years of living up here.

link5631

I'm right dead in the middle of North Pole close to the elementry school.

I agree 100% and I'm speaking solely for Fairbanks/North Pole.

Normally I would say no to studs because of what they do to the roads and people neglect to take them off in the summer when it's dry and hot. But, in his case, just cause it sounded like he is on a budget, I recommended cheap studded winter tires so he could have a budget for a decent set of summer tires he could use to enjoy his truck for 5 months during the summer without getting stuck. As for the Cooper tires... I'm a fanboy of the ST Maxx's... They were such good tires, and I regret selling them with my old truck. They got me out of a hole I got stuck in off roading last winter. I was pushing 4-5 feet of snow with the brush guard.

If you want the absolute best answer on what all season tires to use in your area... Go to a busy parking lot in your area and see what everyone else is using.

M0RRIS

17" wheel choices are cheaper than 16" choices. I ran duras on my ranger and loved them. I highly recommend them.

rcairbear

Dang, its old home day on this thread!- welcome to the forum from Southern Ohio,Mauserdoc- as you have found out, this is the place for our 10th gen trucks!
If you have questions, somebody here has an answer- keep in touch!
Regards, Bear