Hi I'm new to this forum so don't lash out if i'm posting in the wrong place. Please correct me so i know for future. I have a 2004 dodge ram 1500 with the nv244 2nd generation transfer case(AWD). I have the stock goodyear wrangler hp's and blew a flat(side wall damage, unrepairable). My knowledge is an awd vehicle needs to have the same tires on all 4. my tires on there have tread depth of 9-10/32 and new ones have 12/32. So i want to replace just the 2 front tires and put the 9-10/32 on the back. I'm weary about overheating the transfer case so i called two different dodge service centers and they said the tires are fine as long as they are within 4/32 of each other. this article on that model transfer case says the same thing, a 1/4 inch of each(http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2008_04.pdf) even though a 1/4 inch is more like 8/32 which seems to be too much of a differnce to me. So i was wondering if anyone here has any knowledge on the topic and can help me decide if i'll be doing any long term damage by only getting two new tires. Any advice is greating appreciated.

 

Tire size is not so critical that a few thousandths will make a difference. And the latest is to put the better tires on the back, not the front. Kinda makes sense, but I still have trouble changing decades of tradition.

 

You would think the front since it'll receive more wear due to turning. Remember I'm talking about AWD with 48%(front)/52%(rear) power distribution so the truck doesn't really peel out unless I drive like maniac(which I don't). My concern is really smoking the transfer case from over heating the center differential. I kind of want to replace the other two just to sleep better at night but those 20" stock rims are a killer haha.

 

I thought the AWD didn't receive power to the front wheels unless it needed it? Or unless you had the selector on 4hi or lo. At any rate, that small of a difference in diameter is not going to harm your drivetrain.

 

Its actually a full time awd system. I really like it but, some other guys may beg to differ.

 

The reason you put the better tires on back is so the rear end don't slip out on you on ice or whatever. It makes sense. But almost as stupid as only having rear wheel ABS, or only front wheel disk brakes.

 

The system senses a difference in wheel speed and interprets this as wheel slippage. It then transfers power to the front proportionately.

A few thousands of an inch is well within acceptable tolerance. Go ahead and do what you are planning on doing, it won't be an issue...