Firestone Winterforce Studded Tires

[alaskaman]

Since I moved north of Anchorage I have been considering riding with studs this winter. Local shop America Tire has the Winterforce for $590.00 installed. They charge $40.00 to switch them out come spring. Likely I will roll with the Scorpions and see how they do.

If anyone runs these tires would appreciate your input....:thanks:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Since I moved north of Anchorage I have been considering riding with studs this winter. Local shop America Tire has the Winterforce for $590.00 installed. They charge $40.00 to switch them out come spring. Likely I will roll with the Scorpions and see how they do.

If anyone runs these tires would appreciate your input....:thanks:

These tires get so cheap sometimes on Tirerack I've considered running them. In reading some reviews there people seem to love them and get incredible mileage for a true snow tire (and that includes running them in the summer). Filter the reviews by clicking on 30k-50k miles.
:cheers:

 

[alaskaman]

These tires get so cheap sometimes on Tirerack I've considered running them. In reading some reviews there people seem to love them and get incredible mileage for a true snow tire (and that includes running them in the summer). Filter the reviews by clicking on 30k-50k miles.
:cheers:

Thanks buddy. =) How was your trip to points East?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks buddy. =) How was your trip to points East?

It was awesome. Greece was beautiful, food ok, people sad, defeated and tired (bad economy, socialism etc.).


Turkey was amazing. If I found a job that put me Istanbul for 6mos or a year I'd jump on it! The city is beautiful, amazing, good food and the people are great.


The Greeks are proud of what they have in terms of geography, ruins etc. They haven't done anything lately and are not proud of who they are today. Several Greeks wanted to ride back to the U.S. with me. A few Turks said they'd like to see the U.S., not relocate. I guess the problem is the Greeks have to look back generations for greatness as a society. The Turks are proud to be here, now and they're proud to be Turks. They have reverence for their history but the primary focus is the future and it shows. The “energy” is great. I was amazed by the women too. They're beautiful, educated, dressed "normally", they have jobs, drive etc. Being that Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country I wasn't expecting that. We talked to 3 female ATC controllers:bigok:


The flying was long but easy. Fueled in Gander N.F. and Shannon IR.
:cheers:

 

[alaskaman]

Thanks for that information. Instanbul sounds as wonderful as it is romantic. Hmmm. have to think that over. Sad to hear that the Greeks are subdued if not depressed. Such an amazing cultural history. We should start a T4R food thread from places around the world. Pic of Suvlaki and 4Runner.........!

 

[rook]

Since I moved north of Anchorage I have been considering riding with studs this winter. Local shop America Tire has the Winterforce for $590.00 installed. They charge $40.00 to switch them out come spring. Likely I will roll with the Scorpions and see how they do.

If anyone runs these tires would appreciate your input....:thanks:

I'd skip the winterforces. Read this tire rack test. Studded Winterforce's perform worse than non-studded tires from Bridgestone, Michelin and Dunlop.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?tireMakeModel=Firestone_Winterforce_1

There are many high traction tires other than those cheap-o's that will perfrom better.

Hankook offers a good studdable affordable tire called the iPike with a better tread design than the Winterforce's.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=30893&highlight=hankook

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The Hankook's look interesting. I still say at $85/tire the Winterforce would be a nice choice on a 4wd T4R. The vehicle is so damn capable in the first place and then add a dedicated snow (even if it's not "the best") and wow!


fftopic:I would love to see the Winterforce, Blizzack or similar up against the best A/T's and know what those results would be.

The Winterforce is cheap, lasts a while even when run out of it's design parameters. Nothing about it seems 'terrible' and it doesn't have Blizzack technology that renders the last 40% (IIRC) of the Blizzack no better than a good A/T. I'm refferring to the dual compound that reverts to normal, old school, rubber when the first tier of wearbars is showing.

I am sure there are better dedicated tires. I don't know that there's a better value for a VSC equipped, 4wd 4Runner.


If you follow through on the Hankook do it soon, I am pretty sure there's about to be 35% tarriff on Chicom tires and the prices will rise.


That's my 2cents...