Crash / 2 new tires, advice?

[Galveston]

I bought my Gladiator as the result of an uninsured, hit & run drunk driver totalling my Dodge Ram (and putting my wifes car in the shop for 3 weeks ... street parking). 1.5 years later, we're driving home from father's day dinner & got sideswiped by another uninsured hit & run drunk driver. The police arrested the other driver & brought her to the accident scene for us to ID ... so at least we got to see a little justice this time.

I'm getting 2 new tires (drivers side), front & rear rims refurbished, two new fenders (flares), and some minor paint work. My westin tube steps kept her mostly off of the doors/body. They're giving me cash for the steps - need replaced but i think they're ugly so I'll buy something different. Fenders are on backorder so I'll be without my truck for at least a month.

My dilemma = do I buy 2 more tires to have a matching set? I don't have the truck so can't measure treadwear, but would guess at 24k mile they're near 1/2 worn out. My gut tells me to buy 2 more tires but my wallet has 2nd thoughts.

At a minimum I think I'd to swap them around so I have both new tires on one axle.

I bought the truck (freedom edition with max tow) used with Mojave wheels/tires + a stock spare. I know the offset for Mojave rims is different but don't know if the spare also has a different offset.
Would I have fitment issues with my spare if I use one of the tires I replace (285/70/17) on the spare rim that originally had a 245/75/17 tire?

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[Lunentucker]

I'd do all four. otherwise you'll never have an even wear set again.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Take the two off the passenger side and use them as spares. Pay the difference and get four new tires and wheels. You will never be happy with a mismatched set.

 

[asrricklin]

If your spare matches and has never been used, swap one of the old tires with that and then you'll only have to buy one new tire.

 

[Gvsukids]

I bought the truck (freedom edition with max tow)

Why do you think you have a Max Tow?

 

[legacy_etu]

I would explain the mismatched tire situation to the insurance company and get them to buy you 4 new wheels.

Another option if that doesn’t work and you’re hard up for cash is to buy two new tires from Tire rack and have them shaved to the same depth as the worm tires. cost is like $25 per tire. I personally wouldn’t do this but I have done this before when I needed one new tire on an awd car.

Third option is to get two take offs from Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. People are always trying to get rid of new tires.

 

[Blade1668]

If you decide to just 2 tires run them on same axle and just "roll with it" depending on your driving style it might not be a issue. Tires on front end likely to see more wear than rear for some. Mine wear the rear tires slightly faster. Now I just did a quick walk around looking at my tires (5 tire rotation) 3 of the 4 have more tread left. I'll be looking into next set this year.... set #3

 

[Galveston]

Why do you think you have a Max Tow?

Seems like an odd question, but it's in the build sheet / window sticker.
Added that mostly because I wonder if the wider tires (Mojave wheels) will work on the stock spare rim without fitment issues & thought the wider axles may be relevant.

 

[Galveston]

Thanks for all the replies, I'll order 2 more & have them ready to install when I finally get the truck back.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I'd do all four. otherwise you'll never have an even wear set again.

They should need to pay for all four, and should pay for replacement wheels, not refurbished. You shouldn’t end up with half-ass repair because of this.

 

[Galveston]

They should need to pay for all four, and should pay for replacement wheels, not refurbished. You shouldn’t end up with half-ass repair because of this.

I just looked through the owners manual looking for anything about replacing tires as a set & couldn't find anything.

The damage to the rims is minimal (cleanup and maybe refinishing is all that's needed, I may have worded that poorly, they're not putting used rims on as a fix). I've had a similar repair done in the past when my wife's car was hit & was happy with the results.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I just looked through the owners manual looking for anything about replacing tires as a set & couldn't find anything.

The damage to the rims is minimal (cleanup and maybe refinishing is all that's needed, I may have worded that poorly, they're not putting used rims on as a fix). I've had a similar repair done in the past when my wife's car was hit & was happy with the results.

Makes sense. Glad it’s getting fixed to your satisfaction. Sorry it happened at all.

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