Different size Spare Tire on 4X4

[cricha]

3500TD mega, asin trans, 4X4 - Getting a new set of tires. Current stock tires diameter is 33". New tires will be 35". Current spare is in brand new condition, never used. If I were to keep the current spare, would it cause damage to the drive train to mix tire sizes?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yup

 

[GrantP]

Yup

I would disagree. Sure it's going to handle like garbage with the spare on but it's not going to hurt the drivetrain.

 

[lpennock]

If you had a clutch pack style LSD (which you don't) it would burn up the clutches since it would be like make a had left all the time. With an open diff and the Torsen style LSD these trucks have. It won't hurt but as GrantP said it going to cause some handing issues.

If you get a flat on one of the duals you would need to move a front to that position and put the spare on the front otherwise the other tire in the the dual would be carrying all the load.

 

[GrantP]

As Leonard mentioned, the Torsen style diff is what makes the tire size difference acceptable. I run 37's and carry a 35" spare.

I wouldn't consider running a different size tire on my wife's Jeep GC with Vari Lok diffs front and rear and all wheel drive so it is vehicle dependent.

 

[EDankievitch]

The LSD rear will not like the different size tires. The largest tire that I have been able to fit is a 295-70-18. I haven't tried a 325-60-18 yet that might fit better as it's a bit smaller in dia. I'm going to give them a try when these 295's wear out. I saw them on a truck recently and really liked the look of the wider tire and the slightly smaller dia will be better for towing.

 

[kthaxton]

Don't use 4wd with a different size tire mounted...unless it is a fairly slick surface.

 

[GrantP]

Don't use 4wd with a different size tire mounted...unless it is a fairly slick surface.

True, even when all tires match.

 

[kthaxton]

True, even when all tires match.

What I mean is.....with all tires being the same size....4wd is usually ok on packed dirt for example. When one tire is smaller, I wouldn't do that on packed dirt, only in slippery conditions like snow, mud, loose dirt.

 

[NIsaacs]

What I mean is.....with all tires being the same size....4wd is usually ok on packed dirt for example. When one tire is smaller, I wouldn't do that on packed dirt, only in slippery conditions like snow, mud, loose dirt.

I agree. A mismatch in 4x2 on the front is fine, I would not mismatch the rear unless your axle is open. With "any" type of limited slip, I would not.