Sidewall puncture. can I buy just one?

[Highspeed]

I'm running Pirelli Scorpion ATR's (came with my 2003 4Runner V8 AWD when I bought it.)
They seem like good tires but one has a nail stuck in the sidewall. I was told that I can't buy just one new tire and if I did it would burn up the differential. All three have about 40k miles on them now with lots of life left.
Money is very tight right now but I don't want to risk a blowout (transporting children) or burning up the diff.

Suggestions please.

 

[eli1]

I had a similar issue this year and I could only find a "$FREE" 295-70-17 while I was running 305-70-17's. I ran the "WRONG" size tire for at least 1000 miles before making every thing right . . . Thank Goodness it a Toyota and I didn't have to run a completely wrong size for 5000 miles or more . . . I gotta tow the kiddos around and get to work also so the last thing I needed was to screw up my rig . . . .

I recommend you find a used (matching) tire for now. Then start building a replacement set one at a time if you have to . . . Then if you've rotated the older tires properly you will actually be ahead of the game and not behind since you'll actually have more then one spare . . .

I realize the tire folks have to make a living just like the rest of us but its times like these when we gotta get through it . . .

Good Luck

 

[Matt16]

No, you definitely don't have to buy 4 new tires.

EDIT: the awd 4Runner comes with a TORSEN centre diff you all the tires have to be about the same diameter.

Best option is to have the new tire "shaved" or find a used tire with the same tread depth. Some tire shops that cater to the racing crowd can put the tire on a big lath and shave a couple millimeters off to match your other tires.