cj80cruiser
Senior Member
I have a set of 4 tires. 3 are worn down to about 40% tread and 1 is brand new. Should the new go on the front or rear? I know it's best to replace 2 at a time but this is what I have.
Mismatched tire question
- Thread starter cj80cruiser
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Loyal Toyota
New member
If you aren't going to go into 4WD often and drive predominantly in 2WD, go for it in the front. If you have it in the rear, you'll have two different diameter tires, and therefore, your rear differential will be constantly worked.
If it were me, I'd at least have two matching tires on an axle, whether its the front or rear.
If it were me, I'd at least have two matching tires on an axle, whether its the front or rear.
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
I never put it in 4wd on pavement. Only on dirt. I also have a diff lock for the rear which also is never on unless I'm off pavement.
I'd like to buy another tire to have a fairly nice set but gota run wat I got for now. Will this be a problem if I go like this for say around 10K miles or so?
I'd like to buy another tire to have a fairly nice set but gota run wat I got for now. Will this be a problem if I go like this for say around 10K miles or so?
BrianSD_42
New member
Better do this or the new one will wear away MUCH faster than normal.
brian2sun
Elite Member
I wouldn't drive with 2 different size tires on one axle for 10K miles. I'd do it to get home if I had a flat tire and that's about it. The spider and side gears still turn inside the front diff in 2wd so I don't think it's a great idea to run different sizes up front either.
If I were you, I'd maybe try going to a few local tire shops with your one new tire and ask if you can trade it for 2 matching used tires mounted and balanced. That would be safer for your truck and it wouldn't cost you anything. Can't hurt to ask.
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
Wouldn't it be about the same as running with a tire slightly more deflated than the other side?
THEREALTOR1
New member
Yeah, I mean what are we talking here about 1/4", the difference between "seeing abes head -vs- not seeing all of abes head", if that. Its not like he's running 265/70's on 3 sides and a 265/75 on the other, the difference is negligible at best. I wouldn't think it would make much of a difference at all. But i'm not expert. And with that disclosure, my first thought would be to run it on the rear, being its a rear wheel drive vehicle, so that you can get some traction if you encounter any wet/slick roads. Just my thought
JohnsD90
New member
I dont reccomend this way but a way to solve the problem, put the new tire on the back axle. Lock the wheel that is opposite to the new tire, in drive put your foot on the brake and floor it, hold this until treads are even on both rear tires! 
But really, just either buy a new tire or find 2 used ones on CL, how did you end up with only 1 new one in the first place?
But really, just either buy a new tire or find 2 used ones on CL, how did you end up with only 1 new one in the first place?
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
I dont reccomend this way but a way to solve the problem, put the new tire on the back axle. Lock the wheel that is opposite to the new tire, in drive put your foot on the brake and floor it, hold this until treads are even on both rear tires!
But really, just either buy a new tire or find 2 used ones on CL, how did you end up with only 1 new one in the first place?
I traded for a used set with a friend of mine. The original owner (not my friend) never put the tire in the rotation for whatever reason. 1 of the used tires was destroyed by my friend so he threw the new tire in his rotation but only road a few hundred miles on it or less. He has a few 80 series and a daily driver for work so these tires were barely used by him.
I measured the best I could today between the new tire and the used ones...looks like an 8/32nds or 9/32nds difference in height. I have 2 sets of tires so I could hold out for another used silent armor for awhile if everyone is still thinking this is a bad idea after describing the difference in tire height.
One last hypothetical question to pose. If a 4runner drove on a cricle track for over 10k miles, Would it damage the differential? Not trying to be a smarta$$ just curious on your thoughts.
So after these details does it still seem like a problem?
1) Never locked or in 4wd unless offroad
2) Only 9/32nds difference in height
If everyone still thinks this is a bad idea then I'll bite the bullet and resolve my issue if there is an issue here.
KidVermicious
New member
I wouldn't worry about stress on the driveline while you're unlocked. I'd worry more about how your truck is going to behave if you have to make a panic maneuver with substanially more grip on one side.
A used tire is 30 to 40 bucks. Keep the good tire as a spare and buy a used tire to run with the other three until you can afford a full set. That's my 2 cents.
A used tire is 30 to 40 bucks. Keep the good tire as a spare and buy a used tire to run with the other three until you can afford a full set. That's my 2 cents.
Singtoe
New member
1/4" is not bad. Put it on the rear and roll with it. You might be able to increase the air pressure in the opposite tire to counter act any steering pull you might get.
brian2sun
Elite Member
Yeah, 1/4" isn't that bad. I don't think it'll damage anything in 10K, but I personally would probably still just get a used tire and sell the new one on ebay or CL. Earlier, I was thinking of my tires and how much they have gotten smaller as they wore. My worn 255/85/16 MTs are shorter than a new set of 265/75/16 MTs. I compared them on a Tacoma that I parked next to a few weeks ago. If I put a new 255 on, I would basically be running a 33.5" with three 32"s which wouldn't be good for my diffs.
The 10K mile circle track is a good question. I don't know that it would damage the diff in 10K, but I would bet the parts (side/spider gears, bearings, etc.) would wear harder on one side than the other. Same for the steering and suspension.
The 10K mile circle track is a good question. I don't know that it would damage the diff in 10K, but I would bet the parts (side/spider gears, bearings, etc.) would wear harder on one side than the other. Same for the steering and suspension.
