If snow and ice were my major concern, I would consider the Bridgestone
Blizzaks. They are available in a 215/70-14 and provide excellent ride and
traction.  Q speed rated and they been performance proven to out perform
studded snows on ice.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: turinsky@JUNO.COM <turinsky@JUNO.COM>
To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU <Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU>
Date: Thursday, December 11, 1997 10:07 PM
Subject: Tires (for snow) & leak is OK now!

>Hi Volks,
>
>OK, got the news today. The coolant "leak" turned out to be a non
>issue...practically. It's just that the vehicle's "old", hasn't been used
>and had been sitting around for so long. Now it's just getting some
>exercise.
>
>Anyway, you Volks from the List came to my rescue and prevented me from
>actually HAVING a cow! After reading your words of wisdom, I stopped
>hyperventilating just when the EMT's showed up with the crash cart. So,
>I've had the local Waterboxer wizard examine the thing. He determined
>it's just old age and a seal, like many of you said. Current project:
>replace hoses and belts. I'll be in the garage after this.
>
>Next issue: TIRES!
>
>I've read lots of the recommendations, but I've not seen anything on
>these in the archives. I'm going to run 27x8.5x14's on my Syncro. So, I
>began looking for a studable tire in that size. The commercial studded
>tires the shops around here want to sell me are just plain silly! Now the
>BFG AT/TA does have some large areas of rubber that I could sink some
>studs into. They're a serious contender. However, I discovered that
>YOKOHAMA makes the SuperDigger III (Y826) in the 27x8.5x14 size:
>basically it's a mud type tire, ya know with solid rubber blocks, no
>sipes(sp). Now, I've been running a set of these, which I studded
>myself(250 studs per tire in a repeated, diagonal pattern), on my Montero
>for 4 seasons now; and they're fantastic. I can stop when I want to. I'm
>mobile during freezing rain, and after the typical thaw/freeze that
>happens every February. It's like driving around on dry pavement. (I know
>I'll catch hell from some of you out there for tearing up the streets -
>so don't bother) So, I'm wondering what you all think about this setup
>before I place the non refundable order for a full set. BFG provides an
>outside diameter measurement for the BFG AT/TA's. I haven't been able to
>find that measurement for the Yokohamas. Do ya think they'll fit OK? Are
>all 27x8.5x14's the same size?
>
>Oh List, please hear and consider my query good.
>
>Thanks again for relieving my Newbie panic! (Probably won't be the first
>time) Feelin' better now.
>Kevin...turinsky@juno.com
>"Anchored, down in Anchorage---Alaska"
>