Installing two different size tires????

[markedman450]

My 01 explorer sport stock has 255/70/16 tires on it. Recently got a great offer on two new wrangler tires but they are 245/70/16. Now i figured they would be a hair narrower but if they were both 70s the height should be the same and it shouldnt cause a differential issue. I have them installed on the front and the back are 255/70/16. All tires are wranglers...is there gonna be an issue when i put it in 4X4??

 

[techieman33]

Short answer is yes. The 255's are a little over half an inch taller that the 245's. The way a tire is measured is width of the tire say 255, percentage height to width in this case 70%, and then size of the rim. If it's off road only you'll be fine, but I wouldn't want the auto 4x4 kicking on all the time on the street, that's where you'll start hurting parts.

 

[markedman450]

yea i remembered that right after they were installed. Well its a 01 and doesnt have auto 4X4, only time id ever put it in 4X4 is for snow, so will it be ok as long as im in 2 wheel drive on the highway? Figure i got atleast 6 months before any snow in central PA so i can at least get some time out of them

 

[techieman33]

Yeah your fine then, even on snow, it will allow the wheels to slip enough that it won't be a problem, especially with that small of a difference. Now a 31" and 33" tire is another story.

 

[markedman450]

Ok thanks alot, i figured the difference in size wouldnt be much of an issue and seeing Central PA rarely gets snow i doubt ill use the 4 wheel drive much.