3rd Gen Ram Tech 2002-2008 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 2002 through 2008 Rams Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Different Tire pattern front/back

Old Sep 9, 2010 | 08:04 AM
  #1  
V8city's Avatar
V8city
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Poland
Default Different Tire pattern front/back

Dear All,

I just blown two of my OEM 20" tires in my RAM. I live in Poland so 20" tire size is difficult to get and expensive. I bought 2 used ones but...
In front I have Goodyear Wrangler HP and the tires I bought are Cooper Discovery S/T. The Pattern is sligtly different - Discovery are more "ruggedized" than normal Wranglers HP. The size of front and back is the sam.

So my question is - is it a problem that the paterns are different ? could it harm the car ? Please advise. Thank you in advance.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2010 | 08:32 AM
  #2  
PhotogTom's Avatar
PhotogTom
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga, TN
Default

I don't see any harm coming to the truck. It may handle a little different, especially in rain because the tires will grip slightly different. That is, it might be more prone to understeer or oversteer if you drive at the limit of traction. But as long as the diameter is the same, it shouldn't hurt the truck (on a 2wd, you could get away with a little difference in diameter). Did you measure the diameter to see if they were the same? Should be within 1/4 to 1/2 inch depending on wear and tread depth.

When I grew up in Ohio, it was normal for everybody to put snow tires on the back of their car in the winter (rear-wheel drive was common then). They handled a little differently, but the snow tires were MUCH better in the snow than regular summer or all-season tires.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #3  
weedahoe's Avatar
weedahoe
Hall Of Fame
Hall of Fame Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,168
Likes: 23
From: South GA
Default

Yeah, different pattern should not matter that much but different sizes is something else.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
Denniss66's Avatar
Denniss66
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Default

yes i agree if you are running same sizes 265/75/R20 lets says. even though they are the same both front i would messure the diameter of the tires with a tape measure. i have done this once i had michellin ltx on the front and the goodyear wrangler on the back but the michellin measured out about an 1" bigger and when i used 4 wheel drive in mud and snow i piled up my front diff.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2010 | 08:05 AM
  #5  
V8city's Avatar
V8city
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Poland
Default

thank you guys. Tires installed and are running great. I had some doubts but now ran about 100miles and feel great. only difference - this wheel pattern is soooo loud.... : ) but the traction has improoved. can close the thread. thanks again.
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:17 PM.