Is it ok to run a different size spare on the front of 4wd when not engaged?

[240m3srt]

I know your not supposed to run a different size spare on the drive wheels as its bad for the differential. But is it ok to run a different size spare on the front of my 4wd so long as i dont actually engage 4wd? I would be going from a 35" to whatever the stock size spare is. Wondering if it would even drive safely down the hwy in a straight line?

 

[Running4life]

It probably won't do any damage in the short term but I would make that really short (like just enough to get it home). It is going to steer awkward. Keep both hands on the steering wheel.

 

[97fun4x4runner]

spare/steering

I'm currently running some oddball tires on my '97 4x4:
Front: Passenger 255 70 16 , Driver: 265 75 16
Rear: 285 75 16's
It's definately 'cattywampus' , but drives o.k.-I do have to keep the steering wheel cocked a few degrees to offset pull from the smaller tire (pulls to the left.) Your spare should work fine, although I assume it's temporary fix.
I got all four tires free mounted & balanced from local tire shop, 'used'...but they still have plenty of tread on 'em until I receive some cash to lift it and put a new set all around. Initially they were charging $30/tire, but realized I was intending to spend $1000 in the near future, so gave em to me--you might go talk to someone in your area, they get used tires all the time.

 

[badattitude]

The standard spare (265/70/16) is about 31 inches. I think a 35" one side and a 31" on the other is too much. If you had a 31" and a 32" it would be ok for a little while. That is just my opinion.

 

[J-money$$$]

Its just going to spin the spider gears in the diff, and the front diff always has the spider gears turning from the drivers side (this does not take place if you have manual hubs). Many dont realize that the front spider gears spin every mile the truck has driven. The front ring and pinion doesnt spin unless you are in 4wd. So Running weird off sizes is fine in the front. It will not do any damage, even if it was a 31" and the rest of the tires were 35's. It will be fine as long as you dont use 4wd. and if you had to run off sizes in the back it would be okay for a little, but driving like that for thousands of miles can cause pre-mature wear of the spider gears.

And all of this is on a truck with open diffs. Lockers can change things.

 

[240m3srt]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I was debating on buying a matching fullsize 35" spare but for me that means not only the price of the wheel/tire but doing a custom under trunk mount, inside rollcage method, or on the back of a hinged bumper.

Honestly i think im just gonna buy a 24hr AAA membership for incase i get a flat and just have it towed. Their premier membership is $105/yr and covers 3 tows a yr @ 100 miles and one tow @ 200 miles distance plus some other stuff. Im thinking the first time i use it it pays itself off and with 300k miles on my rig something else might happen like that 150k mile old timing belt job i keep putting off.:happens:

Has anyone ever used AAA and had positive or negative experiences?

 

[cj80cruiser]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I was debating on buying a matching fullsize 35" spare but for me that means not only the price of the wheel/tire but doing a custom under trunk mount, inside rollcage method, or on the back of a hinged bumper.

Honestly i think im just gonna buy a 24hr AAA membership for incase i get a flat and just have it towed. Their premier membership is $105/yr and covers 3 tows a yr @ 100 miles and one tow @ 200 miles distance plus some other stuff. Im thinking the first time i use it it pays itself off and with 300k miles on my rig something else might happen like that 150k mile old timing belt job i keep putting off.:happens:

Has anyone ever used AAA and had positive or negative experiences?

I wouldn't trust going off road without a spare atleast. I'm making a removable interior tire mount in the next couple weeks if interested in something like that.

 

[Smog-guy707]

+1 on AAA. I too have the roadside assistance. I have yet to use it, but it feels good that I have it

 

[miheckman]

+1 to AAA for me to love it

 

[ryhi]

i was wondering about this too as i dont have a spare that matches my 285/65/18s (~32.5"). is it safe to run 2 stock rims/tires up front while not engaged in 4wd? i have an 02 with a center lock if that makes any difference.

 

[Dagobah]

Was wondering this for a long time while I still had the stock sized spare. Now that Ive got a 265/75/16 on my spare rim to match the other four, Ive taken to keeping the spare ratcheted down to the stock roof rack. (didnt look like the 265/75/16 would fit in the spare well, though I haven't tried. Does anyone know if a 265/75/16 will fit in the spare well?)

 

[chitown4x4]

So If I run 33" tires all around and keep my spare as is, I could probably survive to get home right? Even if I was off road, I would only engage the 4WD in the tough spots where the wheels are going to be slipping anyway.

 

[Big John]

The only time you need to have things matched is when you're locked. Other than that, I'd run a highly mismatched spare on the front or rear to get me home. As J said, I wouldn't run it that way any more than I have to just cuz...

 

[blairracd]

I'm currently running some oddball tires on my '97 4x4:
Front: Passenger 255 70 16 , Driver: 265 75 16
Rear: 285 75 16's

What the ****?