DLK Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I think I know what the consensus here will be but I will throw it out anyhow. In my size I can get four Chinese Kenda tires (Diamond Back M5)for $796. I can get four Toyo made in USA tires (Diamond Back II) for $936. The warranty is the same and I drive maybe 1200/yr max. Do I want to spend that much more for made in our USA? Even $796 plus delivery and mounting is not cheap. PM me if you rather not post here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 tough call and I know what you are up against...it is costly either way and well what one will hold up the longest in x span of time and little driving. Given the time/mileage...and the consensus that many will rotate to new tires over x time frame...do the math on your expected driving mileage over x years of ownership and then make that call. If you are one to replace due to age and not wear, you just made your own decision. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbound Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 This is from their catalog for the Diamond Back II: Toyo has one of America’s newest and most modern facilities in White, GA. Most sizes are built in the US but some sizes are still built in other facilities. Built in other facilities, to me, means some another country. Did you confirm the size(s) you need are Made in the USA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 If you want white walls good luck finding ones that the white walls do not turn yellow or brown. The other big issue with todays old car replacement tires is how long before they start cracking and checking even though they might only have 5000 miles on them. Tubes... well thats another issue getting safe ones if you need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 White, GA is also the site of one of the largest facilities of junked cars that are selling these units as rebuildable units....was there couple years ago...only got to see the perimeter...it was loaded with Dodge Pilothouse trucks and panels...have not been in the vicinity since. They had a solid complete Plymouth Suburban there also...I thought their prices were high but they making them available..that is the good thing...I have a number of photos of the cars I saw when there...I just happened by the place as I was in the area purchasing another larger item Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I believe the process of the Diamondback and White Wall Candy store is superior to the inferior white wall being marketed by a certain high profile firm that are best suited for static displays..they state use of a barrier in their vulcanizing process 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Yes we won't say who that firm is!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhoads Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I will. Coker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinsailor Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I have a set of bias ply Cokers on my 40 dodge, very light weight tires. As someone mentioned the white developed cracks quickly. They will clean up with the standard white wall cleaner, but still have the weathered, cracked look. I have a set of Diamondback wide whites on my Airflow. They are now about 5 years old and look new. Like don't recall the brand tire they started as, but they are much beefier and I'm quite happy with them. Seems like the price was about the same. But, since you're comparing Diamondback to Diamondback, I'm not sure if I'm helping. I can say if my size is available, I prefer diamondback over Coker. Unfortunately, the next one I'll need is a 24" tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I have been looking at 215-75R15 radial wide whites at the Carlisle swap meet. Both Coker and Universal Tire have truckload displays with many varieties of tires on hand. I like the B F Goodrich 2 1/2 inch white stripe......being sold by Coker for about $258 each rather than their Coker Classic for about $209. (Several years ago I bought some bias ply Coker Classics, which began bleeding brown thru the whitewall. Traded them back to the sub jobber from whom I got them for Firestone branded tire and have had no problem with anything with them.) Have considered the new radial www tire that is narrow and looks like a bias ply tire.....but can't decide if it will improve the road handling as well as the wider tread tire. So, I think I will get the wider tire even though it doesn't look as original as others. It has a more "all season" tread design....but am wanting the better handling qualities. Ah well....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Tarnoff Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 I've had one set of Cookers only and tossed them within two years. I have had several sets of Diamond Backs in various cars and not on yellowing issue. Do not use whitewall cleaner. Spray Simple Green on a clean terry towel rag and wipe lightly at least once per month. I'm running Michelin Diamond Backs with Whitewall and Beauty Rings on my 49. Talk with Jim up there. He knows his stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowbrook Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Agree, I have had Diamondback tubeless white walls on myFOR AT LEAST 5 years, no issues and I only use scotch rite and simple green to remove any dirt from the white area. No tire dressing used. Very pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor dirt Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Bought a set of Diamonds (hancook radials) with wide whites from Jim about 2 1/2 years ago. Paid about 1,080. delivered. The white walls do need extra care and the old wipe down with bleach doesn't cut it. The 51 Coupe I just bought came with Coker radials & wide whites and they have more miles on them but not much difference as to time for care between them. When its time to buy new rubber I'll go with the black wall and the Hancook goes down to 78.-88. a piece for the Diamond undressed tires. So for 400.00 with mounting and balancing the car won't know the difference but my back will from not having to clean the damn WW's! 400.00 beats 1,000. all day on a part time driver! Edited October 5, 2015 by doctor dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barabbas Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I bought a pair of Diamond Backs in early 2008. I've used only scotch-brite and simple green to clean them. They have not yellowed or discolored at all but after 7 years and 15,000 miles they are checked. The checking started about 9 months ago--still look good at 10 ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I believe a lot of the chemical that are used to bleach or clean the WW's are part of the fast aging process.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barabbas Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 See attached 2008 diamondbacks after 15,000 miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 that is horrible...my 20 year old bias WWW's were in better looking condition than that...here it is the day I got the car....the tires had not been cleaned in years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I have used Wesleys Bleach White for 50 years with no problems to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Here are my Diamond Backs from Dec. 2006. $871 to my door. A light spray of purple power and a Motor Home brush maybe twice a year. This car lives in the garage 95% of the time away from UV rays. No cracking on the white or black rubber. They look new still. Edited October 5, 2015 by Reg Evans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 that Reg is more in line to what I would expect from Diamondback 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Here are my Diamond Backs from Dec. 06. $871 to my door. A light spray if purple power and a Motor Home brush maybe twice a year. This car lives in the garage 95% of the time away from UV rays. No cracking on the white or black rubber. Look new still. MVC-001F.JPG MVC-002F.JPG Reg, Did you sell a tea pot on E-bay a while back? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I purchased these Denman 8.20 X 15 tires in 1980...35 years old. Expensive tires..about $220.00 each back then. I have three cars with them...all have shown no signs of deterioration. All bias ply. No checking or cracking and never any yellowing. Maybe 8000 miles on them. Goes to show even today they could make high quality long lasting antique car tires. My old tires are safer than whats available today and certainly will last and look better far longer. Spend a $800.00 to $1000.00 today on new WW tires to have tires cracked and unsafe after 5-6 years? I won't buy any. Bummer for sure. Sad part is Denman and Lester are long gone. I'd buy their tires any day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 No Don.......that was my wife ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhoads Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 My old tires are safer than whats available today.... If they are Bias ply, I am not sure I would agree with that... but to each his own I suppose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barabbas Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 It appears that the Old Diamond Backs that have no checking are bias belts--mine are radials could that be the reason my checked at in the rim area? Also I did not have a garage when I lived in Port Townsend WA 2008-2012 so maybe that's part of the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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