Replacement tires for 98 MADP

[RotorWing]

Hi ALL. I have recently purchased a 98' MADP on a Spartan chassis with Michelin XZA1 275/70 R22.5 LRH's. I think these are the original tires and they are showing some sidewall cracking. I definitely want to replace them. I would like to go bigger if possible to get the smoothest ride possible. Any sugestions?

Thanks in advance.
Cheers

[RotorWing]

Hi ALL. I have recently purchased a 98' MADP on a Spartan chassis with Michelin XZA1 275/70 R22.5 LRH's. I think these are the original tires and they are showing some sidewall cracking. I definitely want to replace them. I would like to go bigger if possible to get the smoothest ride possible. Any sugestions?

Thanks in advance.
Cheers

[tmitchell]

I just switched from XZA1 275/70R22.5s to XZA3 275/80R22.5s. on my 2004 DSDP. Both size tires are the same width, so they will use the same width wheels and the spacing between the rear duals will remain the same. The 80s are 2" taller so you will have 1" less clearance at the inside top of the wheel wells.
You will also need to check to see if the taller tires will clear your jacks, when you do a full lock to lock steering. If your 70s have more than an inch clearance from the jacks at full steering turn and there is more than an inch clearance to the top of the wheel wells when your air bags are deflated, you should be okay. I didn't notice any difference in steering or handling, but now I can run less air pressure in the 80s for a less harsh ride on bad road surfaces.
With the new tires I have to factor in a 5% error in the speedometer and odometer, since I am not going to have it re calibrated.
Tom

[GaryKD]

I changed the front tires to Michelin XZE2+. I have the same size as your tires (275X70X22.5). The tires are very smooth, handling is excellent and after 25K miles I measure almost no wear. I would buy these tires again and in the same size.

[bsinmich]

It is very easy to tell when your tires were made if you check the DOT code on the sidewall. If it was made prior to 2000 it will have 3 numbers giving the week and year of mfg. A 227 cod would indicate the 22nd. week of 1997 or 1987 or? Since 2000 they have had 4 numbers to give a better indication of the year. You could have the second set already. Mine has 2207 and 2307 on them since mine were that badly cracked in 5 years. The tire code is only on one side of the sidewall.

[RotorWing]

Thanks for the reply's. I will be looking into new tires this week. If anybody knows of a good tire shop here in the Phoenix, AZ metro area, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Chris