Different size tires. Front and rear

[Z71Silverado]

Going on a hunting trip this weekend. It's up in the hills and it's supposed to rain/snow. I already put my winter tires on. My rear summer tires have better tread for snow/mud. Will I damage anything by running 17" wheels in the front and 18" wheels in the rear? I have to go 200 miles down a highway and then 12 miles up a mountain. Oh, and the front 18" wheels have worse tread than the 17". Just want to change the rear out quickly if it won't damage anything. Don't care about gas mileage. Thanks for any input.

[Z71Silverado]

By damage anything, I mean in the 4x4 system if I ever have to engage it.

[sdeeter19555]

Are the tires different diameters when stood side by side?

 

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[Coby7]

You cannot have the same diameter with 2 different rim diameter size, you can come close but never the same. You'll be rippin' tires in 4X4 and will be all over the road at highway speeds. Might be okay in mud!!!

[Andy Seibel]

how are they good winter tires if they have worse traction than the summer ones?

 

as long as the tires on each end of an axle are the same size, I would think you can drive on the road fine in 2wd. Once you engage 4wd it will be pushing the smaller tires around. As long as you are on grass/gravel/mud/dirt, it shouldn't hurt anything. just don't run 4wd until you NEED it.

[Z71Silverado]

Are the tires different diameters when stood side by side?

 

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No. The 18" are an inch taller. The 17" rims and tires are 29.5" tall and the 18" rims and tires are 32.5" tall.

[sdeeter19555]

That's 3 inches if my math hasn't failed...

 

Too much, maybe to get out in a pinch. Definitely not to drive any more than a couple hundred feet (it will be all over the road).

 

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[sdeeter19555]

You cannot have the same diameter with 2 different rim diameter size, you can come close but never the same. You'll be rippin' tires in 4X4 and will be all over the road at highway speeds. Might be okay in mud!!!

You're allowed 10% difference in the gearing front and rear, and tire diameter is no different, it's only changing the ratio...

 

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[Coby7]

You're allowed 10% difference in the gearing front and rear, and tire diameter is no different, it's only changing the ratio...

 

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I really need to see where you got that 10% number. It's not in the owners manual for sure.

[sdeeter19555]

I really need to see where you got that 10% number. It's not in the owners manual for sure.

Most diferentials are not the same front to rear because the ring gear sizes won't allow it. For example, a lot of trucks were built with a D60 rear, D44 front, including GM, Ford, Dodge, IH, and Jeep to name a few. A D60 is 4.10 while the D44 is only available in 4.09...they go down the road just fine and have for many years. Ask any differential place, they will tell you the same.

 

A lot of experience is not written in an owners manual...

 

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[Coby7]

Yeah but that's only .244%. You know the ratio is determined by the number of teeth on the crown divided by the number of teeth on the pinion, not by the size of the crown.

[KMGZ400]

I really wouldn't recommend it, just buy 2 tires the right size. A long time ago when I had my 01, I blew out 2 tires and had to put on 2 smaller tires that were I think 2 sizes smaller then what was on there. It drove oddly. Risking your life isn't worth not buying 2 tires in my opinion

[Ghostrider66620]

only in emergency conditions. put the larger diameter tires on the front. this will cause you to drag your back end and not overdrive your front end and destroy your axles.