So my buddy hooked me up with a full set of 5 MTR's on 16" moabs. Two of which were badly cupped. So I took the spare, which is brand new, and purchased a new MTR and threw them on the rear. Went to discount tire to have them sipied (Colorado winter is here) and the dude told me that I was in danger of blowing up my T-case if I ever put it in 4WD. Being that the front tires are slightly different size than the rear now, and would be truing a slightly different speeds.

The physics make sense, but can anyone out there attest to this? Is it more of an issue when putting the T-case in 4WD on the fly (which I have never done, btw) Am I really in danger in 4HI? Any input or advise would be great.

Thanks

 

The guy may have been blowing that out of proportion a little bit. He may have told you that for liability reasons. I can totally see his point, however I don't think it will truly effect it, espacially in snow when your wheels are slipping anyways. The difference I think is marginal at best...my .02...

 

Thanks xjtim. Pretty much what I thought as well, but wanted to throw it out there and see what people thought

 

You'll be fine if you stay away from pavement while in 4wd

 

As long as the terrain you are on has slippage to it you should be ok. You did not state which Tcase you have, if you have 4wd full time I would not use it. 4wd part time off road should be ok. I ran my 93 with mismatched tires (30s rear, 235s front) and used 4wd during a snowy winter without a problem.

 

right as long as you have a semi-slippery surface, you'll be fine. The proportions are not that off. I ran my fronts till almost bald with plenty of tread on the rears without issue.

 

Can it be done? Yes.

Is it a good idea? No.

Tire slippage or not, your still putting unneeded stress on important components

 

On the diff size tire topic....my buddy and I did an experiment with his tj. He has 488 gears up front and 514s out back. We Aired his tires down to 15 psi up front and 25 out back. He can use 4wd now.....i thought that was kind of interesting.

 

SERIOUSLY asking for trouble

 

That's what I said....he insisted though. So I guess well see what the future holds lol. I told him I'm not towing him off the trail if his tcase grenades.

 

He's more likely to snap and axle or a ujoint. Then lets' see you tow him off the trail. Not happening.

 

How much more stress do you think it causes compared to turning a Jeep (NP231 with 4 equal tires) when locked in 4wd? The tires/axles need to turn at different rates... but can't.

 

Rocks, hardpan, etc., behave just like pavement. If the tire diameter is not the same, you're going to break something expensive.

 

Thanks for all the conversation on this issue.

so some what still on topic. Is it safe to shift my t-case in and out of part time or full time 4wd on the fly? And if so, is it an issue with the warn tires in the front? In the past if always stoped and done it. I believe I have the the 242 tcase, it has 2wd, part time, full time 4wd and 4 low options. Am I correct?

 

yea thats a 242. If you use full time 4x4 you should be fine cause that allows the front and rear axle to spin at different speeds