Mixed Tires

[EdsCruisin]

Ok, I am looking for some feedback on running mixed pairs of tires on a 100. I had always replaced all 4 at once, but the cost is outrageous and as luck would have it I had a blowout and had to replace two last year. I run 285 Revo's but they had changed the model and load range since my last purchase.

So now I have two that are approaching their life cycle and two on the rear with lots of life left to go (and a matching spare).

What are the downsides of perhaps replacing the worn tires with another brand?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Keep the same size on the same axle. Other than looking whiskey-tango, there's no issue.

 

[OregonLC]

Ok, I am looking for some feedback on running mixed pairs of tires on a 100. I had always replaced all 4 at once, but the cost is outrageous and as luck would have it I had a blowout and had to replace two last year. I run 285 Revo's but they had changed the model and load range since my last purchase.

So now I have two that are approaching their life cycle and two on the rear with lots of life left to go (and a matching spare).

What are the downsides of perhaps replacing the worn tires with another brand?

I'd definitely keep them on the same axle which prevents a true rotation of tires going forward. Maybe a little more wear on the center diff. I'd do it rather than buy 4.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Whiskey-Tango - Nice TM! This one made me laugh out loud!

Tech - Given that you are replacing two, I see no reason why you would have any problems. Even with your center diff locked, which would only occur on soft / slick surfaces, you would not have any problems.

 

[Sandroad]

There may be more to consider than differentials. Different tires have different traction and handling. Look at the wide range in tires on all the things that the Tire Rack surveys and road tests report out on. I’d probably recommend all 4 tires be pretty close to the same on any modern vehicle, not just an L.C., to get the best handling and safety. An extreme example would be putting winter tires on one axle and A/T tires on the other axle, a real no-no according to the Tire Rack.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

putting winter tires on one axle and A/T tires on the other axle, a real no-no according to the Tire Rack.

I've put snow tires on the rear of every RWD car I've had as long as I've been driving, no issues. At some point a few years ago tire shops got the idea that they could sell more tires if they said you HAD to have them at all 4 corners or else your family would surely be killed - whether they were in the car or not.

 

[patrickfinley]

I've put snow tires on the rear of every RWD car I've had as long as I've been driving, no issues. At some point a few years ago tire shops got the idea that they could sell more tires if they said you HAD to have them at all 4 corners or else your family would surely be killed - whether they were in the car or not.

2wd is a different story than 4wd. With 2wd as long as you have good traction on the powered wheels you are reasonably safe. If you have a dedicated 4wd vehicle with mixed tires of different traction you can cause the front or rear to spin out on you depending on the situation. This is also why they recommend using 4 sets of snow chains on 4wd vehicles (Even though the LC has front tire clearance issues with chains).

That being said...if you had tires of similar performance/traction you would be fine with mixed tires.

 

[Gottagetone]

Tires are not cheap but you can find good tires for less. I picked up a set of 5 Falken Rocky Mountain ATS tires in a 285 mounted and balanced out the door for under a grand. I have about 7k miles on them and am very happy with them.

 

[EdsCruisin]

I asked because I have heard about different "gain" on different tires. I had a 2WD Mazda truck with street radial tires on the front and snows on the rear and the rear skittered on the highway. As far as the full time 4WD system goes, I would expect it can handle slight variations. Obviously my two worn tires are not have same diameter as the two newer ones for example. Probably about an inch different.

So the real question is there any data out there on tire rolling gain on a model by model basis?

I got the Revo's for $800, because I found a deal and multiplied that with lowest price guarantee option. But the second pair were purchased sight unseen, in a distant city, so they were market rate at approximately $600 (expensive vacation blip).