As you know the 1990 Silverado 4WD uses a floor mounted selection lever to switch from 2W 4WH and 4WL.

When this truck is in 2WD mode is the front axle spinning completely independently of the read axle or are they connected such that you should not create any situation such as slightly bigger tires on front axle vs back axle.

I have a mint ( still has the little rubber whiskers ) pair of Michelin 245/75R16 LTX M/S that were recently discontinued and would like to get the newer version of the exact same tire to fill out the set.
This newer version of the same tire ( 245/75R16 LTX M/S 2 ) is two tenths of an inch smaller in diameter than the old M/S version but the tread is almost indistinguishable from the older model.

If my 2WD drive mode is a true "spins free/independent " mode then I'm guessing I can get thru the winter using this combination.

So..who can tell me exactly how the front axle and drive components interact with the rear in 2WD mode.?

thanks

 

The front axle is totally independant from the rear in 2 wheel drive.

Different tire sizes front to back will result in binding only in 4 wheel drive.

Allan

 

thanks Allan - this is good for me. I can buy my pair of new Michelins and put them on the back and put the used mates on the front. Since I don't put the truck in 4WD unless Im in deep snow I wont be binding except in brief conditions where there is a lot of slippage anyway.