New to Bronco Land, couple simple questions

[BKennedy]

Hi Everyone, I recently downsized after driving a Ford SuperDuty F250 for 10 years, then another SuperDuty F350 for 10 more years. Time to downsize. Wow!! did I. I absolutely love my new Bronco.

I have a couple Questions:

• I replaced the standard Front Bumper with a Rough Country metal one as I am adding flat tow mounting points. The short frame members that stick out each side in front of the tire. Do most remove these? They now stick out some on each side due to the upswing in the RC bumper. Just curious

• I did not order Sasquatch as I am mostly planning to drive this on the road and flat tow behind my Motorhome. But I am curious what is the largest tire size that can be installed on the factory 18" wheels?

I have been totally impressed with this forum and the great info all of you Fellow Bronco owners share. Awesome.
Thanks
BK

Sponsored

 

[Medic2586]

The bars you speak of are removed on the Sasquatch package. Just fyi

 

[BKennedy]

Thanks, they must be there for additional support for the standard bumper since it is mostly plastic. My guess.

 

[NatureMan]

Thanks, they must be there for additional support for the standard bumper since it is mostly plastic. My guess.

They are crash bars. Someone makes high clearance ones, but they would probably still be exposed.

 

[Rydfree]

Thanks, they must be there for additional support for the standard bumper since it is mostly plastic. My guess.

The crash bars are there to "capture" the tire, for loss of a better word, during a frontal collision. The tire would be squeezed between the front and rear bar during impact. They help prevent a tire/wheel combo that sits inside the fender from being pushed up into the passenger footwells. On the Sasquatch pkg they are removed since that wider tire/wheel combo sits partially outside of the fender and will act as its own crash bar.

You can also purchase end caps for them that give a more finished look.

4pcs Crash Bar End Caps Front Axle Plug For Ford Bronco 2021 -2024 2/4 Doors | eBay

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

The short answer is yes you can remove them, many of us have.

Most of us remove the front and rear crash bars for clearance for larger tires. In your case at least right now you would only need to remove the front. Depending on what tire size you go with later you may want to remove the rears.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi Everyone, I recently downsized after driving a Ford SuperDuty F250 for 10 years, then another SuperDuty F350 for 10 more years. Time to downsize. Wow!! did I. I absolutely love my new Bronco.

I have a couple Questions:

• I replaced the standard Front Bumper with a Rough Country metal one as I am adding flat tow mounting points. The short frame members that stick out each side in front of the tire. Do most remove these? They now stick out some on each side due to the upswing in the RC bumper. Just curious

• I did not order Sasquatch as I am mostly planning to drive this on the road and flat tow behind my Motorhome. But I am curious what is the largest tire size that can be installed on the factory 18" wheels?

I have been totally impressed with this forum and the great info all of you Fellow Bronco owners share. Awesome.
Thanks
BK

Congratulations on your Bronco, Bryan! We appreciate you being part of the Ford family.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

Congratulations on your Bronco, Bryan! We appreciate you being part of the Ford family.

Interesting the Ford forum rep has a friendly greeting, but nothing to say about the OP's questions.

 

[prospectfour]

I did not order Sasquatch as I am mostly planning to drive this on the road and flat tow behind my Motorhome. But I am curious what is the largest tire size that can be installed on the factory 18" wheels?

Largest I've seen on stock OBX wheels is 295/70R18 or 35x11.5 but you'll want to lift.

You can keep your suspension the same and switch to 275/70R18. I run 275/65 SL-rated AT3s, and I wish it shipped that way from the factory.

 

[ManSquatch]

If you plan to go bigger than 33's then you will need to remove the crash bars. I went to 35's but still wanted the piece of mind having them so I used these. They stick out a little but much more descreet

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...vehicle-dynamics-high-clearance-crash-bar-kit

 

[DriveAllNight]

I'm still looking for this 'Bronco Land' of which you speak

 

[Headsong]

Interesting the Ford forum rep has a friendly greeting, but nothing to say about the OP's questions.

Can you say liability?

 

[dgorsett]

I removed the crash bars on mine after installation of an 'upswept' bumper like yours. My new bumper is significant steel not total plastic like OEM so I feel it gives similar protection.

 

[BroncoA512021]

Interesting the Ford forum rep has a friendly greeting, but nothing to say about the OP's questions.

The ford bot us useless

 

[MayhemMike]

Mark it, then remove the section that sticks out beyond your liking with a saw. Then replace.

Sponsored