Base bronco 2dr tire upgrade suggestions

[Brian_B]

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.

I would consider SL tires too if I could find them in the sizes I want to buy.

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[kodiakisland]

Love 255s and ran those until I went to 35x11.50 and then 37X11.50. Skinny has a lot of performance,

 

[JonB2]

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

Curious if you had SL rated tires and then noticed a difference running load range C as far as noise or stiffer on road ride? 285/70/17 available in SL and C, but the 285/75/17 only available in load range C and up.

 

[Philvis77]

For my stock 2 dr Badlands (285 70R17), I just changed to Falken Wildpeak AT4. I think they look great and love them compared to my K02's which i absolutely hated due to not being good in wet conditions. I had to order the smallest bumpers (i think from Sasquatch) for my tailgate as the spare wouldn't go on with the stock Badlands bumpers.

 

[lakesinai]

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.

The nicest tire upsize without breaking the bank or needing modification is what I've had on my non-SAS OBX for 3 years: 17x8 Badlands Take-offs wheels with a 285/70R17 tire, "33's, which adds almost an inch of height. A nice road/trail tire is Nitto Nomad Grappler (i have, photo below) or perhaps Nitto's new G3.

My Nomad Grapplers are wearing out, so I'm going with Micky Thompson AT on some take-off Heritage Sasquatch wheels, 17x8.5. Then a mild coilover lift in my 5th year. The OEM Hitachi are getting rough, time for an upgrade. The advantage of the takeoffs is they fit as OEM wheels, and the price is right as Take-offs ($100-125 per wheel cash). I always go pickup in person, cash only.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Curious if you had SL rated tires and then noticed a difference running load range C as far as noise or stiffer on road ride? 285/70/17 available in SL and C, but the 285/75/17 only available in load range C and up.

The 35 x11.5-17 were C rated. I'd say they rode fine, and I'm rather picky about tire performance.
Really , my only beef with them was the rubber compound.
I'm dead certain I was sold a bad batch and Toyo did fuck all nothing to help out. Never returned a single response.

This is why I strongly encourage folks to find a trusted local tire dealer in the event something like this happens.
I mailed ordered from Summit, not much they could do after the sale ... take them to a local Toyo dealer, who will not be thrilled to help you on tires you cut his throat on by going mail order.

Live and learn.

 

[JonB2]

Thanks all for the responses! Going out this week to look at some more tire options. I'm thinking a load range SL or at most C would fit my needs of priority onroad ride. Narrowed it down to either 285/70 or 285/75. 285/70 has the option of SL, but I just like the looks of 285/75 better what can I say.

And to add one item--I want to fill out the wheel well visually. Will a small wheel spacer help to improve that? I read that it makes the wheel opening appear smaller. If so, might go with 285/70 + wheel spacer. Just a thought. Thanks.

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