Is replacing only 2 tires okay?

ryanee182 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:09 pm

My front-right tire picked up a nail last week and I brought it to Firestone for repair. I got a call a few hours later saying the bead ripped off the tire when attempting to dismount it! :shock:

They admitted fault and are ordering me a new tire at no charge, and they put my matching brand-new spare on. Their plan is to put the new tire on the front-left, so I have 2 new tires on the front, and partially worn rears and spare. All tires will be exactly the same except for wear. The rears are at 14/32, and the new tires will be 21/32 tread depth.

The guy assured me that since it is a 4WD (Part Time transfer case) and not AWD, this solution will be okay. He said "If it was AWD, I'd likely be buying you 4 new tires."

Is the difference in tread depth going to cause any issues while in 4WD?

mochodurazo · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:56 pm

Exactly what tires are? i didt know that exists 21/32 for KJ.

ryanee182 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:53 pm

They are Interco Super Swamper M16's. They are an aggressive mud-terrain with a deep tread.

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:19 am

its the exact opposite. part 4 you want all matching tread depth because there is zero slip and you need the tires as close together as possible. That is why 4wd can get clunky is PSI's are different between tires. Full time 4WD has slip, so its not as crucial. But i would say replace all four while your at it, the mechanic has no idea what he's talking about :2cents:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:55 am

irollgen4s wrote:

its the exact opposite. part 4 you want all matching tread depth because there is zero slip and you need the tires as close together as possible. That is why 4wd can get clunky is PSI's are different between tires. Full time 4WD has slip, so its not as crucial. But i would say replace all four while your at it, the mechanic has no idea what he's talking about :2cents:

It does not matter if you have the command trac t-case,as long as both tires on each axle are equal your good to go since you can only use 4wd on slippery surfaces.Besides the front and rear diffs are geared a little differently anyways so if you have 4 equal tires the front are spinning faster anyways no matter what.

You must have 4 equal tires if you have the slect trac t-case due to the full time option,same goes for any AWD vehicle.

METCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:38 pm

Not to be confusing but wouldn't one with the Select-trac be able still have two sets of tire (2 of the same on the front, 2 of the same on the back) and make sure they were to only use part-time 4wd? I use either 2wd or part time and do not use the full-time. Just curious.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:46 pm

METCRD wrote:

Not to be confusing but wouldn't one with the Select-trac be able still have two sets of tire (2 of the same on the front, 2 of the same on the back) and make sure they were to only use part-time 4wd? I use either 2wd or part time and do not use the full-time. Just curious.

No.

With the way the 242 shifts your going to be stuck in 2wd only if the tread depth is greater then 4/32"-5/32".May or may not shift into 4wd(any mode) and may not shift back into 2wd even if the shifter is in the correct spot.The 242 uses check balls and springs to shift where as the 231 is all hard linked.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:03 pm

the 242 can shift into full-time - with mis-matched tires

but not part time or 4 low.....as tjkj pointed out at Moab....

brettacuff · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:34 pm

Wait...Wouldn't you want the newer tires on the rear since you'll be in 2wd most of the time?

fratichelli · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:44 pm

Brettacuff,
By that logic, in two wheel drive your back tires don't need the traction as much as the front, since they do most of the stopping and all of the steering. They also are subject to more wear.

The rear tires will slip when you are trying to accelerate, but that is the least concern safetywise.

Do I recommend replacing all four tires, yes
Do I practice this, depends on my cash flow at the time.

Is replacing only 2 tires okay?

Who is online