So, I'm torn between getting a matching wheel and tire, for a set of 5, right away and getting just a set of 4 for the cost savings and keeping my stock spare in case of emergency (covered with a nice cover). I know the matching set of 5 is the most ideal, but I am trying to buy a house right now also so the savings of $300-400 is even a big deal, until I can get the 5th wheel and tire in a few months.

So, anyway, I guess a few details might help. Stock tires are the 32" size (255/75/17) and the wheels I am getting are 295/75/16 (so about 33.5"). I've heard you can damage your transmission by running a different size tire for how long, but how serious are we talking here? If I were to ever have to use the 32" spare, it would only be to get home where I could park the JK and order another tire from DTD. I wouldn't drive it like this for days/weeks.

So, how many miles could I drive with a different size spare? Does it matter if it is in 4wd versus 2wd; in other words should I get the spare onto the front and drive in 2wd if at all possible. Does it make any difference? Should I limit my speed, etc. until I make it home?

Hopefully I never have to worry about it, but in case I go the 4 instead of 5 route for a few months, I'd like to have this info.

 

The part you will stress the most is the pinion gears in the diff. Normally they don't spin much - not at all if your tires are the same size and you are going in a straight line. By putting different size tires, even for a short distance, you are putting some serious RPMs on the pinions. If you have a LSD, you will have even bigger headaches.

 

Shoot - didn't even think about the LSD...

 

$300-$400 dollars really isn't that much considering you might pretty soon have a hefty house payment coming up.

 

No, its not a lot of money in the long run... just have a lot of other stuff I could buy for the house if I could get by without full-size spare.

I'll probably just get the set of 5, I was just curious...

 

The ESP will probably go nuts too and it would be a bad idea.

 

I researched this quite a bit when I was trying to get away with only buying four. My reasons were because of trying to fit a 37 incher on without having to buy a tire carrier so my expenses were even greater. There is no simple solution except maybe a used tire for the spare of the same size. If you NEED tires right now than just get some aggressive tires of the stock size for now. If you WANT tires then just wait until you can get five. Good luck

 

If the spare is more than an inch or so off, your ESP will go nuts when you go to drive. It will detect that the tire is moving at a different speed than the others. You are going to want a same sized spare.

As for wear and tear, the spider and side gears are what receive the wear. The pinion is not going to know the difference. If you have an LSD, you can kiss it goodby. A few miles of driving at HWY speeds with two different sized tires will roast the clutch plates.

 

Thanks for all the info guys... 5 it is!

 

Yea, that's the best bet and the same conclusion that I came to whenever I bought my tires! You will be happy you did whenever you see how cool it looks on the back of your JK!