Reader: Your listing for the '96-'04 Tacoma in "What Fits, What Hits" (Apr. '05) is incorrect-again. In a previous letter, I told you the Tacoma's stock tire size is 31x10.50. Toyota may say 30x9.50, but is that for the 4WD or 2WD version?
Kevin Dreher
Johnson City, TN
Reader: Your "What Hits, What Fits" guide has been bothering me. When you last published this article, I chuckled because I knew full well that my '03 H2 has had 37-inch BFG tires on it, with no lift, almost all its life. It has managed trails including Holy Cross in Colorado to Hell's Revenge and Poison Spyder in Moab. I now have MTs instead of the ATs, but I removed the stock tires for the 37-inchers some time ago. I have now also added Rock Crawler Series 97 wheels and Rancho 9000 shocks, and I assure you, with better shocks and offset wheels, nothing hits. Just a little FYI.
Adam P. Smith
Centennial, CO
Reader: I just picked up the latest issue and I have a question. In the "What Hits, What Fits" guide, it shows that the stock tire size for a '95 Chevy S-10 is 30x9.50. I took a tape measure and checked my tire size-it came out to 27 inches. I know that isn't the way to do it, but could I be off that much? The tire size is P235/75R15 but I do not know how to convert it.
Jay W.
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: Well, a 235/75R15 works out to a 29-inch tire, so it looks like we may both be a bit off. (In your case, you might want to check your inflation pressure.) When stating stock tire sizes for this article, we generally rely on information provided by the vehicle manufacturers, who tend, for obvious reasons, to be a bit conservative in their estimates. We don't intend for the information we include in this guide to be taken as carved-in-stone gospel-think of our numbers as rough estimates based on info we receive from the OEMs as well as from the various aftermarket suspension companies. Like the old saying goes, your mileage may vary.
To translate metric tire sizes, first calculate, using the case above, [(section height = 235) x (aspect ratio, expressed as a fraction = .75)] ? 25.4 (the number of millimeters in an inch). Multiply that number by two, then add on the diameter of the wheel, in inches, and you've got your tire diameter.
Reader: In your Apr. '05 issue, you featured an '04 Cadillac Escalade. At first I had to make sure I was still reading the same magazine I started with. I know that you have to probably keep up with the times, but come on! Let's not forget why people buy this magazine-not to see a "fly" ride with dubs (as I learned from your Hip-Hop Glossary). I am really disappointed by this low stoop-I hope in the future that you will make better decisions than this.
"Dirt Biker"
via fourwheeler.com
Reader: It's bad enough having to listen to a rap artist or some young people butcher the English language, but to have it in a Four Wheeler article is incomprehensible. I started reading, thinking it would be an informative article about the Cadillac Escalade. After the first couple of paragraphs, I didn't even bother to continue. I bet your journalism teachers would be proud.
Jeff Terrell
West Monroe, LA
Reader: A Cadillac Escalade in Four Wheeler? Single-speed transfer case-need I say more? Ken, don't sell out for a flashy ride! I am surprised Cadillac doesn't put spinner rims on them from the factory. Lame! Also, if Ken Brubaker is going to wear muscle shirts, he might want to order some muscles to go along with them. I've seen bratwurst with more definition. Anyway, I love Project TraiLex, so keep up the good work.
Justin Robinson
Rifle, CO
Editor: Bratwurst?!? Yo, brother, that's two shots and the ball out of bounds for that line! Seriously, we thought it might be fun to inject a little humor into our April issue. Back in the day, we used to do it every year-albeit in a more transparent fashion-and the readers seemed to enjoy it. Since reader response to this story was not exactly encouraging, perhaps we'll try a different tack next year. So if you see a lawnmower in "Readers' Rigs" next April, don't say we didn't warn you.
At least our boy Brubaker got plenty of mad props-and well deserved-for another story in April. See the next letter ...