Base bronco 2dr tire upgrade suggestions

[Montana Bronco]

ok good choice on size…in that case I would still recommend a SL load range but in a All terrain Yokohama makes a good one imho…good luck!

I did not realize that Toyo’s R/T Tail came in an SL rated version. That would be a badass looking tire on OP’s Bronco.

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[Bobk]

Does anyone know if there is much difference visually between the 285/70/17 verses the 285/75/17 tires. Just wondering if viewing the two on the vehicle from the side if the size increase is noticeable or are you wasting money on the one inch size increase.

 

[Karsa]

Does anyone know if there is much difference visually between the 285/70/17 verses the 285/75/17 tires. Just wondering if viewing the two on the vehicle from the side if the size increase is noticeable or are you wasting money on the one inch size increase.

I tend to notice it on the two doors, and the 75 series definitely has a leaner look?

 

[Red2000]

Does anyone know if there is much difference visually between the 285/70/17 verses the 285/75/17 tires. Just wondering if viewing the two on the vehicle from the side if the size increase is noticeable or are you wasting money on the one inch size increase.

I mean you're probably wasting money getting rid of your firestones based on 95% on road and 5% light offroad.

285/75r17 only comes in LT which you should probably steer clear of based on what you described.

 

[Bobk]

I mean you're probably wasting money getting rid of your firestones based on 95% on road and 5% light offroad.

285/75r17 only comes in LT which you should probably steer clear of based on what you described.

Hello! I think you confused me with the original poster. I have a two door BD w/265-70’s. I have the optional Badlands wheels on order and trying to decide which tire size to buy and mount on the new wheels.

 

[Red2000]

Hello! I think you confused me with the original poster. I have a two door BD w/265-70’s. I have the optional Badlands wheels on order and trying to decide which tire size to buy and mount on the new wheels.

My apologies! I'm getting too old and senile for the forums nowadays.

Thow the sizes into one of those online tire size calculators and it will spit out the dimensions and a graphic. I'm not a LT tire user because I'm on the street 99% of the time. 285/70r17 is the last size for lightweight standard load tires before going to the heavy LT stuff.

I just try to advocate for people to be honest with their use and to get the best performance vs aestetics.

 

[Oldkat1303]

Hello--must of looked through hundreds of posts but can't make a decision and need a little help. Here's my current Bronco setup:

OEM wheels off a Ranger 17" +55 offset
Firestone 265/70/17 Destination AT2 (very good tire so far)

Looking for a more aggressive and taller tire keeping same wheels. Want to fill out the wheel well better and gain some ground clearance.
Priorities are 95% on road use/commuting daily driver, 5% dirt/fire roads/light offroad--so tIre noise and comfort more important than heavy offroad ability.

Possible sizes: 285/70/17 or 285/75/17. No lift (yet).
Tires: BFG KO3, Nitto Terra Grappler G3, Toyo Open Country ATIII

Please give me your opinion as to which size might look the best as well as which tire you may recommend.

Thank You! Appreciate any suggestions before I make a final choice.

I have the Big Bend model that had 285/70s on when I bought it. I wanted new wheels with an offset that got the tire outside the wheel well. I went with Fuels with a -12 offset that, though they look great, immediately gave me trouble rubbing against the crashbars . Didn’t understand how the same tires on new wheels could cause that problem, but the fix was easy; take out the crashbars. I don’t do any hard off-roading, so I’m not concerned that they’re out and now I can go on up to some 33/12.5s when these wear out.

 

[Blackcat]

Not sure if you kept your base steelies, but I love my 265/75/16 General Grabber ATX tires.

 

[crzyhawk]

ok good choice on size…in that case I would still recommend a SL load range but in a All terrain…Yokohama makes a good one imho, but tires are so good these days about any of them will work fine…good luck!

Thanks. I feel like for my 4.46 gears, the 33s are probably the right size for my needs. The stockers are 32s so not much difference really. I plan for a light load range, I don't need a heavy, durable offroad oriented tire, just something slightly more aggressive, and a bit better in snowy conditions. My heart's not set on any certain tire yet, but I watch all these threads to get ideas on what exactly I should be looking for when I do swap out the Duelers. I don't much care for them, but I struggle in just throwing away perfectly functional tires.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

This is an excellent video that sold me on going SL on my next set of 33’s.

That was an excellent video.
I'm really impressed he broke out the durometer and checked the rubber composition of each set. That is something a LOT of people do not think about but can have really huge consequences when running LT tires on lighter vehicles like our Bronco's (as compared to full size trucks that LT's are made for).

Hard rubber will give you really bad wet traction, escecially as temps drop. I learned that the hard way with my Toyo's, which I believe were a bad batch, Toyo has a bajillion great reviews, yet the set I had were the most dangerous wet/cold tire I have ever owned. (55yo avid driver)

I thing he glossed over in that video, if you're airing down for traction, airing down a taller , skinnier tire will yield a bigger change than airing down a wider set. There have been a few videos covering that as well.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Thanks. I feel like for my 4.46 gears, the 33s are probably the right size for my needs. The stockers are 32s so not much difference really. I plan for a light load range, I don't need a heavy, durable offroad oriented tire, just something slightly more aggressive, and a bit better in snowy conditions. My heart's not set on any certain tire yet, but I watch all these threads to get ideas on what exactly I should be looking for when I do swap out the Duelers. I don't much care for them, but I struggle in just throwing away perfectly functional tires.

Back to OP's original question, and some info about your set up and options as well.

I ran Toyo 35 x 11.5-17 on my Base 2dr manual (4.46 & 2.3L).
They looked awesome and fit well with Method wheels +35mm.
Link below.

I took them off because the tires could not be driven in the winter and I kind of liked the 30" Base look again for a bit there.
I'm over that now and will be going back to a taller tire in the fall/winter.
After my bad rubber experience, no help from Toyo and YEARS of research, the only two (BIGGER) tires I would consider are:
Nokian nAT 285/75-17
Mickey Thompson 255/85-17

Tirereviews.com did winter testing with a group of AT's and the Nokians and MT's did REALLY well.

Jumping back down to a 285/70 in SL,
I'd be all over the MT's or Nokians again, but there are a LOT of great SL rated 33 inch tires and a lot of very good reasons to choose the SL rating for the Bronco.

After my issues with the Toyo's, cold/wet/winter traction has become my #1 priority.
Almost all tires do good enough in the dry, but when conditions change for the worse, that is when you are forced to rely on good rubber.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...no-lift-method-703s-toyo-35-x-11-5-17s.32232/




My 35x11.5-17's .... no lift, base suspension

 

[23OBX2.7]

Bronco is the same weight at pick ups 4700-5500 lb so LT are the appropiate tires especially if planning on adding weght with accessories, cardo or towing. Adjut pressures to reflect use.

Firestones are great and I really like the XT at 32 psi on road. Gets to 35-36 when hot out and 34 from driving. Great winter tires too.

Looking at MT as a sumer tire and more agressive looks.

As mainly pavements princess that plays on crappy roads plus dirt and gravel with zero hard core off roading (have dirt bike for that) its all about looks, brand, and onroad charachteristics plus rolling resitance and tire weight. I dont care about wear rates.

My street handling improved a lot when switched to LT. Comfort did not suffer at 32 psi that delivers correct tread print.

 

[mbclark75]

I recently upgraded my 23 OBX which is just a Base Bronco. Check out my post
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ino-burnt-bronze-wheels-and-33”-toyos.132409/

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Bronco is the same weight at pick ups 4700-5500 lb so LT are the appropiate

I'll argue that 1/2 tons routinely run SL tires and the ones that run LT are for carrying far more weight than a Bronco could ever consider, even if it wanted to. There just isn't the room for a load of dirt or bricks or plywood, etc etc etc.
I'll also argue the weights you mention could easily be an extremely loaded Bronco vs an empty truck. IE, the Bronco won't get any heavier than that, whereas the truck will get substantially heavier once loaded.

The number one reason for LT preference on anything less than a full size truck ... jeep, Taco, Bronco, Ranger etc ... will be puncture resistance.

Beyond that, LT rated tires bring mostly negative aspects to the bargaining table for lighter duty vehicles, ESPECIALLY E rated tires.

That being said, many folks have run LR E tires on Jeeps and Broncos and have been thrilled with the performance.

I am not a fan.
Your mileage may vary. Lol!

Fwiw, the Firestones did really well in tests and reviews. Solid choice for the usage you mention.

 

[jjack50]

You could use 285/75R16 KO3s on your stock wheels. They would give you a 33” diameter (32.8) and are available in load range C so they won’t be too heavy. They would look good on your rig. You might have to remove the crash bars. 2” lift might help too.

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