Tires - how old is too old?

[Jay2TheRescue]

I run 70 PSI front & rear in my K1500, and don't have any traction problems.

[IndyFetch]

I run 36 psi in the truck...

The tires have just been mounted. They spin a bit as well, but it's much better than before.

... and just in time. It just started snowing.

[theholycow]

36psi definitely shouldn't be a problem!

70 is the limit for my rear tires with no load in the bed. Any more than 70 and I get the spinning/drifting in rain, and even a little on dry pavement. I have 67 in them right now.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I don't know if this makes any difference, but my truck has the locking rear end.

[IndyFetch]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I don't know if this makes any difference, but my truck has the locking rear end.

Every truck I've driven had a limited-slip rear end except this one. It makes a huge difference when the truck is empty. If the truck wasn't a throw-away item, I'd start shopping for a salvage yard limited-slip rear end to put in it. I don't know if I would be able to find one in the stock ratio. It is 3.08, which is pretty tall.

[Jay2TheRescue]

You might find one that tall in a locking rear from a Caprice or a Fleetwood.

[theholycow]

The locking rear means you're less likely to spin tire(s), but once they spin you're much more likely to get sideways, so it's a mixed blessing for reduced traction.

[IndyFetch]

Originally Posted by theholycow

The locking rear means you're less likely to spin tire(s), but once they spin you're much more likely to get sideways, so it's a mixed blessing for reduced traction.

Very good point.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

You might find one that tall in a locking rear from a Caprice or a Fleetwood.

I was just thinking... Try to get the rear end from either a Caprice wagon, or one with the police package. They had bigger brakes.

[benfrogg]

A friend has a 69' vette. It either came with 50 series tires or the next set of tires that went on it were 50 series... either way, they are still on it. That means possibly 40+ year old tires....
They show visible dry rot from 5'. He's going to put new ones on in the spring. Good thing since above 55 mph things get shaky! (he had them re-balanced too)

I agree there are some drawbacks to running 11 year old tires, but you aren't going to take them to the track and do a bunch of laps. I don't think it's as important for a second vehicle.

B