35" Pizza Cutters on 2 Dr. Big Bend No Lift-Is this doable?

[Roadbronc]

I have never done any off road trails, but would like to try. I am 99% road driving, so I don't want to compromise road performance with a lift. My first choice for tires are the MT Boss ATs 255/85-17. Someone with first hand experience with this tire size, is this combination doable with no rub? I don't mind removing the crash bars if necessary, but nothing else. I will be using the BD steelies w/55mm offset. I have done a lot of searching and I have the impression this will work, but would like to be sure before pulling the trigger. Thanks in advance for your help.

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[Beach_Bum]

Baja Boss 255/85's on BD Steelies. @Gr8Hortoni

@Dover157 is also running the 255/85's on BD Steelies. He has since added a lift with Eibach's (click the link to see a before/after photo for comparison).

 

[Roadbronc]

Just what I was looking for! Thanks a bunch, Beach.

 

[JimL]

I love that look. Very old-school Range Rover-esque.

 

[broncobase1]

It doesn't sound like you will be doing anything hard core. I've driven on so called "jeep" roads in Colorado with a rental Jeep Compass. 33" tire should be fine, unless you are into the giant tire look.

 

[Bruno]

255/85 R17 is a 34" tire, not 35"

I have 255/85 R16 and they are 33"
& a 2.5" lift
Works great
https://metalcloak.com/ford-bronco-2.5-puck-lift-kit.html

 

[Roadbronc]

I realize it is really a 34, but for fitment, it is very close to 35. Just don't want to go overboard. I consider that size my absolute limit with no lift.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

I realize it is really a 34, but for fitment, it is very close to 35. Just don't want to go overboard. I consider that size my absolute limit with no lift.

For what it's worth most "35s" are 34 and some change in reality. More than likely the Baja boss in that size will come in the same size or larger than a lot of 35s. I had similar results with my Milestar Patagonia XT's in 275/80-17.

 

[Roadbronc]

You are right about that. Tire Rack says it measures at 34.6.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

You are right about that. Tire Rack says it measures at 34.6.

Yep. And if you look at the venerable BFG KO3 on Tire Rack in 315/70-17, a pretty common "35" inch size.
They're 34.4.

 

[xmod]

On my non-sas 2 dr Badlands I went with steel wheels and Kenda Klever 35x10.5. They look and drive great.

 

[Bruno]

I realize it is really a 34, but for fitment, it is very close to 35. Just don't want to go overboard. I consider that size my absolute limit with no lift.

You might want to reconsider the no lift thing.
I did a 2.5" lift and the 33's on a Base and it was completely transformative.
yea the lift was around $200, but $800 to install, which is a big expense.
But it really just completely changed the way it rides and the experience - and Im just a street and some sierra trails guy, not rock crawling

In the future I may add another 1" of lift with Bilstein 5100, but that would mean I need to add upper wishbones as well - so one more inch is alot more $. - but when I get to 50,000 miles I might as well replace the shocks anyway.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...1-2023-ford-bronco-4wd?variant=40500983562289

https://metalcloak.com/bronco-6g-front-a-arm-kit.html

 

[dgorsett]

You might want to reconsider the no lift thing.
I did a 2.5" lift and the 33's on a Base and it was completely transformative.
yea the lift was around $200, but $800 to install, which is a big expense.
But it really just completely changed the way it rides and the experience - and Im just a street and some sierra trails guy, not rock crawling

In the future I may add another 1" of lift with Bilstein 5100, but that would mean I need to add upper wishbones as well - so one more inch is alot more $. - but when I get to 50,000 miles I might as well replace the shocks anyway.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...1-2023-ford-bronco-4wd?variant=40500983562289

https://metalcloak.com/bronco-6g-front-a-arm-kit.html

I used 5100s to get 1.5 to 1.7 lift and as stated it was transformative. Getting sprung components that much higher off the ground made a huge difference off road. I'm going 255/80x17 , 33 when my 32s are gone.

 

[Brian_B]

Not to dissuade you from new tires, but just the obligatory statement:

Your Bronco, even with base tires and setup, is going to be pretty darned capable off road. Until you finally hit an obstacle you can't tackle, don't feel like you need to go out and do a bunch of upgrades just to take it off road.

My recommendation would be get out there and drive the thing. Then you find out the difference between what you actually need versus what you want.

Mine does have 35's on it, and my son hangs with me on 80% of the trails we run in his '87 Bronco II on 29's at factory ride height.

All that said, if this is just a "because I want it" - then feel free, your rig. Just making sure you don't feel like you have to do this upgrade to start running trails. Those MTs you have picked out are excellent tires by all accounts, and I admit I'm considering "downgrading" to a set of those, but haven't made any decisions on new tires as of yet, hopefully I still have another season left on my current Mickeys

 

[Roadbronc]

I'm very sure you guys are correct and thanks for the great info. Until I'm in a position to do some good wheeling, I won't go down the rabbit hole just yet. Before I add anything, I will give it a go with my 31's and see how it goes. I'm sure I won't be doing anything too rough anyway. I appreciate all the real world comments.

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