Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Different tire size front and rear = damage??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-25-2017, 07:25 AM
  #1  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Different tire size front and rear = damage??

So my wife had a blowout last night. Only spare is the factory donut. Unable to get just one replacement tire or even a full new set locally intil Monday afternoon. Currently tires are 225-75-15. I have 8 235-75 and was going to put just 2 on the rear for the weekend. Fronts are spec'd at 28.3 inches new. The 235's are 28.9 inches new. The fronts are nearly bald and probably only about 28 currently and the 235 are half worn and likely about 28.5 or less right now. So question is how much damage would I do running tires that are half an inch taller in the rear? Both diffs are open and t-case is the 231. Will not be using 4x4 at all. I could switch all 4 over to the 235 if I really need to but we had plans this morning and the quicker I do this the better off we will be. Thanks everyone for the input.
Old 11-25-2017, 07:33 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
00t444e's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Southern OH
Posts: 3,604
Received 456 Likes on 369 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

You will be fine as long as you keep it in 2wd.
Old 11-25-2017, 07:54 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

That's what I was hoping but I've always made sure my tires were correct so I don't have any experience to go off. Also with the Jeep at 210,000 I wasn't sure if that would make chances of breakage greater. The biggest concern is having to get the Jeep towed 40 miles to my house or something. That would just add to what I already can't afford.
Old 11-25-2017, 08:16 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
Bugout4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I agree... It won't do any damage as long as you don't put it in 4X4. But this is one of those times when having locking front hubs would come in handy. Then you would know for sure the front wheels are completely unhooked from the drive train.
Old 11-25-2017, 08:24 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I look at it this way. If you're blowing donuts in mud or snow or just or something like that then the rear wheels are moving a heck of a lot faster that the fronts and that I have some experience with. Never did any damage then. So I don't think it would cause much of an issue under normal circumstances.
Old 11-25-2017, 11:34 PM
  #6  
Seasoned Member
 
craigjacob1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Idaho
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1990
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

You will be fine in 2wd. In 4wd the tires will bind on the concrete, and something will eventually give (axle shaft / gear / transfer case).

I test drove an xj with 4 different sized tires last year. To no surprise the front gears were hamburgered.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:43 PM.