Different size tires front/rear?

rickmeister · Oct 16, 2010

What kinds of problems (if any) will I run into if I run 25" fronts and 26" rears on a 2008 500? I purchased some BajaCross tires in 25x10R12 thinking that was the rear size (amazing how much I learn by spending money first and then verifying

Only after having them mounted on the rear wheels did I notice that the tires I took off were 25x11R12, with the fronts being 25x10R12. BajaCross doesn't come in an 11 cross section in 12", so I thought I could just get the 26x11R12 for the rear and move the others to the front (which means more money as I'll need to remount those on the narrower front wheels).

In any case, what other options are available in 25x11R12 in atleast a 6 ply (the BajaCross are 8) or can I go with the 26's in the rear? Most of my driving is on hard packed dirt roads and I seldom need to use 4WD, so the fronts are normally not driven. However, I don't want to break things if I do need to use 4x4.

Rick

carnivore · Oct 16, 2010

The problem comes in IF you need to run all wheel drive. The all wheel drive will stay locked in all the time and be hard to steer.

jokout · Oct 17, 2010

OK, am I missing something here, tire highth, not width would cause the problem, the different circumference of different highth tires is what causes the problem. Granted, mounting your 10" wide tire on the narrower rim will make them sit a bit taller, but this shouldn't cause any problems

mtimesplitter167 · Oct 17, 2010

He is talking about the height, he wants to run 25"front and 26"rear.Quote What kinds of problems (if any) will I run into if I run 25" fronts and 26" rears on a 2008 500?

jokout · Oct 17, 2010

now I see, but not sure why he doesn't stay with the 10" tires on all 4 corners

gemery · Oct 17, 2010

For the 4-wheel drive system to work properly all the tires must have the same rolling diameter. You have to stay with 25" diameter or 26" diameter tires on all 4 corners. The first number on the tire size refers to the rolling diameter of the rubber tire. The second is the width of the tire and the third is the wheel or rim diameter. It does not matter if the width or the wheel size match, but they must be as close as possible to the same ROLLING DIAMETER or it will damage something. If they are not the same size as you drive the small tire is not traveling as far for every revolution as the larger tire is. Thus something has to slip or slide to make up the difference.

Best I can explain it :?

Rockin Ranger Rider · Oct 23, 2010

tire size?

Rick , did you cipher all that :?: :lol: Any way just leave it all 25"s don't buy 26's cause they need to be the same front and rear all 25's or all 26's, width will only matter up front with possible rubbing in the fenders, I have a brother and niece in El Paso, dad lived there till he passed after he retired from Kelly AFB in 68' till 06' I pass thru evertime I go to Az. :wink: Alan

Different size tires front/rear?

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