2 Tires or 4

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Sep 27, 2012 | 10:33 PM

Schlominator

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From: Sullivan (Rome), WI

2 Tires or 4

Had to replace the ball joints in the front of my 2006 RWD crew Cab 6.0L. Front two tires are shot and need to get new ones. Thinking i might just buy two and move the rear tires to the front. They look to have some life in them still. Anyone have an opinion about whether I should just get two new tires or all four at once? Any reasons other than cosmetic?

Thanks,
Larry

Sep 27, 2012 | 10:39 PM

dkf

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From: Pa

It can make proper rotation more iffy. Keep the tires with more wear on the same axle together and you will be fine. You do not want to be staggering tire heights on say the rear axle with a LSD. On my 2wd truck I have different sized tires on the back and the front. Have done that for years.

Sep 28, 2012 | 06:54 AM

BigPigDaddy

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From: OR and UT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlominator

Thinking i might just buy two and move the rear tires to the front.

I would buy two and put the new tires on the front where your steering and braking are. Then when the rears are worn, buy two more and put them on front. I have done this for years and with the price of tires going sky high, will continue to do so.

Sep 28, 2012 | 07:08 AM

bbender85

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From: Middleville, MI

i'd get 4 and sell the two good ones on craigslist.. tire prices are sky high, but the used market seems to be following, at least around here. i've been looking at used tires all summer.

Sep 28, 2012 | 08:33 AM

Mystic_Cobra

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From: Northern VA

No need to buy four unless all four are bad. Buy two, put them on the front (where the majority of the braking, steering, and comfort are felt) and move the other two to the rear. The only time you want the two best (or better) tires on the rear is if it's in the winter (where snow is expected) AND you have rear wheel drive ONLY.

Sep 28, 2012 | 12:44 PM

Schlominator

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From: Sullivan (Rome), WI

Thanks for the feedback all.
BPD and Mystic, the last couple times I've put two on the shops insisted they go on the rear to avoid drifting and worse. Is it hype? I have a RWD. I used to put them on front, but have followed their lead and put new ones on rear on wife's Expedition.

Sep 28, 2012 | 02:19 PM

BigPigDaddy

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From: OR and UT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlominator

the last couple times I've put two on the shops insisted they go on the rear to avoid drifting and worse. Is it hype? I have a RWD. I used to put them on front, but have followed their lead and put new ones on rear on wife's Expedition.

As a former tire service professional (aka: tire installer) I can tell you that they are wrong.
Which tires go through water first? Fronts.
Which tires handle the majority of braking force? Fronts.
Which tires handle most steering force? Fronts.

Where do semi trucks put new tires? On the front. Then the old steer tires go to the trailer.

Besides, who says drifting is bad?