Newbie Tire Question

[DCATraveler]

So the wife borrowed the Jeep and returned it with a nice gash on the sidewall. I don't want to replace all four tires but I've always been told you need to replace all four tires on a 4wd vehicle. Is this true or could I get away with replacing two front tires?

[Frankpapa]

What jeep, what tires, and how much tread left?

Don't know about larger tire sizes, but in most cases, you ought to be able to replace just two even if it changes your rotation pattern. Most tire shops say they "legally" must put the new grippier tires on the rear (this means cover their own butts on liability). You can go back in a few thousand miles and they will change tire positions, of course, or do that yourself as the new tires wear in.

[DCATraveler]

Thanks for the help. The vehicle is an 08 JK with the factory original tires. About 32K worth on them right now. Good tread on the remaining tires as I believe they are 50K tires. I'm looking at taking the factory spare on the back and just replacing one of the tires with a matching tire to save some money.

[Frankpapa]

I've done that before, though not on a JK or any wrangler. Others may want to chime in on that.

If you deal with the dealership on service, why don't you ask the service manager your question. You'll get your answer and maybe a good price too. I've found that while dealership is more expensive on most things, they can beat the socks off everyone on price if they have tires they want to move.

Another suggestion: Stock size JK tires are often posted for sale on local jeep sites, Craig's list, etc. Anybody who is lifting and going with bigger tires has stock ones to sell.

[Urbie]

I have 5 for sale if and when you're interested. 4 of them have about 7k on them and the 5th (spare) has 0 miles.

17 inch wheels with GoodYear Wrangler SR-A tires P255/75/17

[TheYeti1775]

You can get by with two, but take up Urbie deal that will fetch you plenty for spares as well.

[DCATraveler]

Thank you for the help on the questions. I would love to take you up on the tires but they are a slightly different size from my tire. I currently have 255/70 R18's.

[Urbie]

i have the wheels and tires, already mounted.

[ThinkMud]

17"s will be cheaper then 18"s... just FYI... I would rather have the 17" rims and tires, then you could sell the 18"s for more:) with the gash in the tire.