NEW Firestone Destination X/T -- The perfect tire for a T4R?
 

Hi all,

I am shopping for new tires to go with my OME lift and came across these tires on Tirerack. Not a lot of reviews out yet as they are new, but feedback I have seen is generally positive.

Most interesting is that they weight only 48 lbs in 275/70r17 and 51 lbs for the 285/70r17. These are E Loads.

I am particularly interested in the 275/70r17, which is considerably lighter than the competition and a good fit for my V6 T4R with OME lift. I worry about performance loss with such heavy tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...TOWL&tab=Sizes

The 275/70 K02 (E) weights 55 lbs.

The 275/70 Grabber ATX (E) weighs 56 lbs.

And the 275/70 AT3W (C) weighs a whopping 57 lbs.

Compared to the Firestone at 48 lbs.


Does anyone have thoughts or know anything about these tires -- or have experience with Firestone tires generally? Thinking these might be my next purchase.

Looks like a Nice Tire and Winter Rated with good Tread Depth.

Going to get the Firestones or the Falken AT3Ws in 275/70r17 -- will update with my experiences if I end up with the Firestones.

Go with the Firestones. Give them a Shot. Save a Few pounds.

I don't have experience with the XT's, but I have Firestone Destination AT2's and love them so far. I've only had them for about 5,000 miles, but have no complaints. No noticeable loss in power (if I remember right, they're only like 8 lbs more than the slightly smaller bridgestone all seasons I had before), not much road noise other than a slight hum at about 55mph, and the little off roading that I have done with them they have handled great!

A member of the Wrangler Forums posted some great pictures of the Firestone Destination X/Ts mounted if anyone is interested:

Deciding between a P rated and an E rated tire. Same price, same weight. | Jeep Wrangler Forum

I'll check out the Firestones when my C KO2s are done (maybe next year) though I'll look for P or C max. I am done with the loudness of the DuraTracs (amazing tire otherwise) and the KO2s are a bit stiff in the sidewalls so may try something else. On my Rubicon, I have tried a couple of Ds and Es and they were simply too harsh. I run C MTR Kevlars which I love.

The Firestone Destinations are good tires, and you should be very happy with them. I have had 2 sets on my 4Runner, the A/T (all terrain tire before the A/T2) and the LE2 (highway tread). The “problem” years ago with Ford Explorers rolling over on Firestone tires was caused by Ford recommending a tire pressure that was too low (so the ride would be more comfortable), causing the tires to overheat and fail. It wasn’t Firestone’s fault.

I really like the look of the X/T, but I won’t need new tires for several years.

That is not exactly true...there is far more to the cause. This is what the investigations found, and it jives with the studies or investigations done at the time which I followed.


On March 6, 2000 NHTSA began a preliminary inquiry[17] and on May 2, NHTSA began an investigation (PE00-020)[2] concerning the high incidence of tire failures and accidents of Ford Explorers and other light trucks and SUVs fitted with Firestone Radial ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness tires.[2] On August 9 Firestone recalled all ATX and ATX II tires and all Wilderness AT tires manufactured in Decatur, IL. On August 31, 2000 the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) upgraded the investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA00-023) to determine whether Firestone's recall covered all the defective tires.[2]

Ford and Firestone both issued root cause analyses to NHTSA.[2] Firestone argued that vehicle weight, tire design, low recommended inflation pressure, and lower tire adhesion for tires manufactured at the Decatur, IL factory contributed to the tire failures. Ford argued that the tire design led to higher operating temperatures compared to similar tires manufactured by Goodyear and that differences in manufacturing at Decatur led to weaker tires that were more prone to failure. Ford also argued that the size of the wedge, a strip of rubber between the first and second belts, is smaller in Firestone tires than Michelin tires making them weaker than comparable Michelin tires.

Publicly Firestone argued that Ford's recommended 26 psi inflation pressure was too low and should have been 30 psi.[7] In addition Firestone argued that the Explorer was abnormally dangerous and prone to rollovers in the event of a tire failure, leading to more injuries and fatalities. In the words of Firestone CEO John Lampe, "When a driver of a vehicle has something happen such as a tread separation, they should be able to pull over not rollover."[18]

Ford argued that the Explorer was no more dangerous than any other SUV[19] and that the accident rate for Explorers with Goodyear tires was far lower than for Explorers with Firestone tires.[20] Ford also argued that there was something wrong with the design of Firestone tires and with the manufacturing of those tires at the Decatur, IL factory.

Some outside observers speculated that both parties were to blame suggesting that[14] Firestone's tires being prone to tread separation and failure, and the Explorer was especially prone to rolling over if a tire fails at speed compared to other vehicles.[21]

I decided to give the Destination X/T a try in 265/70R17...having them installed this week. I had the Destination ATs on a Bronco 7 years ago. The new AT2s may have been a better choice for the majority of the highway miles I put on, but do spend a fair amount of time on dirt/gravel trails, with occasional rocky spots.

I have been running the KO2s for five years. Have been happy with their toughness, but have had the weird vibration on the highway, in addition to wet traction issues once in a while.