Does the Bronco accept tire chains?

[Rebecca Tiffany]

In California, M+T is considered a snow tire - it does not need to be 3PMSF rated.

I think Badlands and Sasquatch OEM Bronco tires meet that minimum spec.

That said, you may still required to carry chains in CA, you just won’t necessarily have to stop and equip them - which is occasionally required.

There are a lot of various options - depending on price and availability. If you are looking for something to just throw in the back to stay legal and hope you never really need them, or something for serious snow wheeling that will hold up to abuse - the price and capability and durability run the gamut

Thanks for explaining I was getting so confused if it was a snow tire or not. I am In CA so I guess I’ll just get a pair to throw in the back to have for when it’s required to have.

I would like to offroad in the snow, for that I guess I should get snow tires?

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[SS Bronco]

Thanks for explaining I was getting so confused if it was a snow tire or not. I am In CA so I guess I’ll just get a pair to throw in the back to have for when it’s required to have.

I would like to offroad in the snow, for that I guess I should get snow tires?

Your stock tires are great for off roading in the snow.

 

[Rebecca Tiffany]

Really

Your stock tires are great for off roading in the snow.

Really?!

 

[604Bronco]

Your stock tires are great for off roading in the snow.

Agreed. I run the stock Goodyear's on my Badlands and they're fantastic in the snow. It's gotten me through some really deep, fresh snow with zero issues. Have gone through the mountain passes in a blizzard and the Bronco stays firmly planted on the road - Handles everything like a champ!

 

[EasternSierra]

Really
Really?!

Yeah, I've done some driving on snow-covered dirt roads in M+S tires at various times. Worked great. However, it 's possible to run into icy stretches. Best to have chains just in case, though I never had to use them.

 

[Brian_B]

Thanks for explaining I was getting so confused if it was a snow tire or not. I am In CA so I guess I’ll just get a pair to throw in the back to have for when it’s required to have.

This is exactly what I do in CA as well. I've only ever had to actually bust out chains once in 20+ years. Almost every time they just see M+T and 4WD and say "You're good, be careful" or they close the road

But I have a set of cheap snow "Straps" that I keep under the passenger seat, just in case CHP stops me on the way home.

I can also say, with my 35" Mickey Baja Legends - they are absolutely scary in snow in 2WD and the Bronco is squirrely as all get out, but set it into 4Hi and you can't even tell the snow is there - all the way up until your plowing it with the bumper. It's like Jekell and Hyde. Granted, they aren't exactly made for snow at all - but my next tires will either be Baja Bosses or Falken Wildpeaks.

 

[EasternSierra]

Owners manual (pg 378) states only 255/70 x 16 (Base) and 255/75 x 17 (Big Bend) should run chains and then only on the rear. Those that I looked at with 285's looked OK for chains at least in the rear and I would bet 265's on Black Diamond would be fine. But again OM says only 255x16 and 17. Also OBX with 255 x 18 should be OK, but not listed in OM.

This is important to me. Hence my BB and plans to stick with 255 tires. Andhs I think one should use caution chaining up the front both for clearance and strength of the M190 diff and CV's

I've been thinking about this for a while. Since we're only talking about the rear wheels, it's not a question of interference with the crash bars or while the wheels are turned. Since the OEM Black Diamond tire, slightly smaller in diameter than the OEM Big Bend tire (316" vs. 32.1"), isn't supposed to be used with chains, it can't be wheel well interference either.

The problem has to be on the inner side of the tire, with chains potentially hitting suspension or other parts in that area. The Black Diamond and Badlands tires are wider than the Big Bend but with the same offset, so half that extra width is on the inside, pushing the chains farther in.

This suggests that going to a smaller positive offset, with a taller than 32" but narrow tire, could still allow chains. I'm wondering if anybody has tried that?

 

[dgorsett]

I've been thinking about this for a while. Since we're only talking about the rear wheels, it's not a question of interference with the crash bars or while the wheels are turned. Since the OEM Black Diamond tire, slightly smaller in diameter than the OEM Big Bend tire (316" vs. 32.1"), isn't supposed to be used with chains, it can't be wheel well interference either.

The problem has to be on the inner side of the tire, with chains potentially hitting suspension or other parts in that area. The Black Diamond and Badlands tires are wider than the Big Bend but with the same offset, so half that extra width is on the inside, pushing the chains farther in.

This suggests that going to a smaller positive offset, with a taller than 32" but narrow tire, could still allow chains. I'm wondering if anybody has tried that?

I only run chains off road in deep snow and although I carry them have not yet used then on the Bronco. I'm running 265/70x17 and feel confident even a 285 width would be OK on the rear. I think with a 265 or less the would fit the front too, but I'd be worried about tearing up the front diff or cv with aggressive driving.
If I had to run on road, like some in CA might, I think the same rule would apply but I would run cables.

 

[JMess]

Last winter I used chains on my 24 BD ( road use in snow). No rubbing or other issues.

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