- Joined
- Nov 4, 2023
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 19
- Location
- Camp Lejeune NC
- Vehicle(s)
- Ford Focus
- Your Bronco Model
- Big Bend
- Thread starter
- #1
Hey guys, I'm expecting my Big Bend to get here sometime in February and am curious about upgrading the tires. I've been reading old posts on the forum non-stop trying to get spun up to speed on this vehicle, its capabilities, and upgrades near and far, but I really haven't got a clue on tires and I'm realizing it may be the most impactful upgrade I ever make to the truck.
My use case is as follows. I will be commuting about 14 miles to and from work at an average speed of about 50mph, country roads. We don't get much snow or ice and I don't anticipate moving north anytime soon unfortunately. I plan on splitting commutes 50/50 between the Bronco and the Focus, but will occasionally drive 200-400 miles for camping and backpacking in the Bronco so road manners are consequential. I'll be using the Bronco to get to places I couldn't get to in my Focus during deer season, and with this vehicle I'll be doing way more outdoors stuff than I had been. It'll be driven on the beach (cautiously), in muddy ruts, on wet grass in soft ground, and on dirt trails. I do want to get into some organized off-roading and will be linking up with guys who do that sort of thing, but only to get some 4WD skills in case I need them, I don't anticipate becoming a regular recreational off-roader.
I want solid off-road performance in mud and sand, serviceable performance in snow and ice, with as little impact to fuel efficiency over the stock tires as possible. Don't anticipate serious rock crawling, but I would like to be able to get over some obstacles and traverse dry riverbeds in some cases. I'm willing to lose a couple MPG's, but I would rather not see the fuel efficiency drop by 4+ MPG over the stock tires. I understand they're very light, though.
I was looking at 285/70R17's. The Mickey Thompson Baja Pros sound like the best tire for off-roading that aren't super aggressive, but I have no idea how bad they are on the road or on efficiency. Don't think I mind some extra road noise if it isn't extreme. Open to any and all suggestions, thanks everyone!
edit: I have 4.46 gearing with rear lockers. 2.3l 7MT
My use case is as follows. I will be commuting about 14 miles to and from work at an average speed of about 50mph, country roads. We don't get much snow or ice and I don't anticipate moving north anytime soon unfortunately. I plan on splitting commutes 50/50 between the Bronco and the Focus, but will occasionally drive 200-400 miles for camping and backpacking in the Bronco so road manners are consequential. I'll be using the Bronco to get to places I couldn't get to in my Focus during deer season, and with this vehicle I'll be doing way more outdoors stuff than I had been. It'll be driven on the beach (cautiously), in muddy ruts, on wet grass in soft ground, and on dirt trails. I do want to get into some organized off-roading and will be linking up with guys who do that sort of thing, but only to get some 4WD skills in case I need them, I don't anticipate becoming a regular recreational off-roader.
I want solid off-road performance in mud and sand, serviceable performance in snow and ice, with as little impact to fuel efficiency over the stock tires as possible. Don't anticipate serious rock crawling, but I would like to be able to get over some obstacles and traverse dry riverbeds in some cases. I'm willing to lose a couple MPG's, but I would rather not see the fuel efficiency drop by 4+ MPG over the stock tires. I understand they're very light, though.
I was looking at 285/70R17's. The Mickey Thompson Baja Pros sound like the best tire for off-roading that aren't super aggressive, but I have no idea how bad they are on the road or on efficiency. Don't think I mind some extra road noise if it isn't extreme. Open to any and all suggestions, thanks everyone!
edit: I have 4.46 gearing with rear lockers. 2.3l 7MT
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