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Home > Wheels & Tyres > Tyre pressures/Tyre type - ZU alloys with BFG M/T

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custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19551

As above comment, I was just going to say that until I read it.

My last set were around that date, also had age cracking on the tread but were OK. Had to change due to a cut, but if it wasn't for that would have had a year or two more out of them.
I changed them last year.

I would stick with them, but swap next year.

Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

17th Nov 2018 10:49pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

Interesting about what appears to be the difference in the DOT code and BF Goodrich explanation of how to read the age of the tyres. Have had a quick look at our BFG tyres and they are of the same format as Adams.

So I decided to look on the BFG site and there was a chat line. I ask about the DOT code and used Adams DOT code. This was the reply I got

Quote:

Hello, I will be happy to assist. While I'm researching that for you, would you mind sharing your name, email address and phone number with us?
22:04
The DOT is often printed on both sides of the tires; one side only has 8 letters and one having the full 12. Since you can only see 8 characters I would recommend going to an authorized dealer in your area so that they can dismount the tire and verify the date.

So it will be a case of finding the 12 digit of the DOT code on the other side of the tyre.

Now the interesting thing is Adam has white writing out and we have the white writing on the inside. So when I get half a chance will look on the inside of our tyres. Every day is a school day they say!

Looking at your photos Adam, I would suggest they are getting past their best and you may start getting slow punctures. I get more concern when I see circumferential cracks close to the rim

Brendan

17th Nov 2018 11:21pm

AndyT66

Member Since: 19 Sep 2016
Location: Bedford
Posts: 148

2004 Defender 90 2.5 TD XS CSW Zambezi Silver

This is my code on a Goodrich MT, makes more sense, wk 20 2011 ? Sorry it's upside down !

Click image to enlarge

18th Nov 2018 12:27am

WindyJ

Member Since: 18 Oct 2018
Location: France
Posts: 190

Odd that the same brand and model of tyre would have different things....at a guess I’d say different factory/country of production? Mine, like others, have the normal 4 digit code (2710) but others from around same time don’t.

18th Nov 2018 4:32am

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

Some peoples on facebook have said that they are km1's... And are possibly so old they aren't dated... Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

18th Nov 2018 10:29am

WindyJ

Member Since: 18 Oct 2018
Location: France
Posts: 190

Email the numbers to goodrich and see what they say...i side withe the fb people though and think you’ve got pre year 2000 tyres, in which case you’re going to notice one hell of a difference when you get some new ones like i did, and mine are in a much better state and at least a decade younger!

18th Nov 2018 10:50am

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

Just trying to decide what to go for.. I wanted a deep dish modular - but then only have 1 choice of tyre unless I guess they order them in for me, which will take time.. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

18th Nov 2018 12:05pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

To be honest I am getting slightly confused here and yes we run BFG A/T and M/T on our Defenders.

The BFG KM2 in 16" size was first introduced in about late 2008. 17" sizes were introduced in 2007.

Yes tread pattern looks like original BFG M/T so that would make tyres a minimum of 10 years old.

From BFG site

Quote:

Each tire has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number imprinted on at least one of its sidewalls. That number begins with the letters "DOT" and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and letters.

The first and last digits are the most important:

The first two letters or numbers identify the tire’s manufacturer and plant code.
Prior to the year 2000, the last 3 digits of a DOT number represented the week (2 digits) and the year (1 digit) of production. So if the last three digits are 439, the tire was produced in the 43rd week of 1999.
Tires produced after January 1, 2000, have a 4-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The first 2 digits represent the week of production and the last 2 digits represent the last 2 digits of the year of production. So, 3500 indicates the tire was produced in the 35th week of the year 2000.

Now I am guessing with the 3 digit code this started around 1990 as other wise would not know if it was 1983 or 1993??

So BFG says code will be at least on one sidewall. So is it a case with multiple tyre plants in different countries that they are putting the date code on different sides?

Personally I doubt that the tyres are pre 2000 as I would anticipate worse cracking and circumferential cracking.

Whilst you can get guidance from the internet, probably the best advice is to get them inspected by a 4x4 tyre specialist who can fully inspect the tyres and be guided by them.

When I get half a chance am going to take spare wheel off and check both sides for the date codes.

Life would have been so much simpler if BFG put date cod on both sides of their tyres!

Brendan

18th Nov 2018 12:54pm

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

Agreed. My lunch break is coming up.. So ill be having a look then, I have been told the date code is on the 'Black' side where the writing isn't coloured..

Thanks again for the info. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

18th Nov 2018 2:16pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

We have BFG's on our Defenders with the white writing on the inside.

No date code visible on any of the BFGs with the black lettering on the outside.

A quick crawl underneath and have found the 4 digit date code under the white writing.

It would appear that on the KM2's BFG put the date code on the side with the white lettering.

Why they do not put it on both sides I do not understand. OK a little bit more work once a week changing 2 digits on a mould rather then just the one digit but life much simpler for the customer wanting to check the age of their tyres.

Brendan

18th Nov 2018 4:31pm

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

I found all the dates on the inside of the tyre.

Click image to enlarge

All the same year. 2007 Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

18th Nov 2018 4:40pm

WindyJ

Member Since: 18 Oct 2018
Location: France
Posts: 190

Are you Sure that last digit isnt a 1?

18th Nov 2018 7:09pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19551

Adam - You can probably see the dates on the inside as you found better than we can in the pic.
I think the confusion here has been people comparing the KM2 with the KM1, myself included.
Those are definitely KM1's looking at them, so the 2001 date you mention I can quite belive.

I would imagine due to the age difference the way they are marked could well be different between the KM1 and KM2's and possibly even law changes in between. (Anyone think of any?)
I would say they have done exceptionally well to get to that age, what you do next is of course up to you but I would be thinking about changing them over purely due to age by now.

Considering the age they are, and what they cost originally made them very cost effective.
Do you have any idea how many miles at all they have done? Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

18th Nov 2018 9:33pm

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

Yeh definitely changing them anyway, I have some money in my account now.. May well head to tyre place tomorrow and see if they can squeeze me in...

This may be a better pic.

Click image to enlarge

I have no idea on the mileage, when I got my truck it didn't really have a paper history, the chap had cancer and passed away, I think it was the family that sold the truck..

As I couldn't find the stamp initially, it was bugging me and thats it lol now I found it I'm happy lol..

I'd gone to a garage back in July to change them then, but the guy said they were fine for a while. Now the time has come though.. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

19th Nov 2018 12:59am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19551

When it comes to banacing, you may want to consider Dynabeads so you don't have wheel weights.

Just something I thought I may 'float' as an idea for you to possibly think about.

Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

19th Nov 2018 1:06am

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