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Tire Load Range C or D?

Oldhippie

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Yes more sidewall “plys” does provide better sidewall protection but they also prevent the tire from deforming over terrain in low pressure/traction situations…so it is always a compromise….generally lower ply rating give a smoother ride with more traction, higher ratings provide more load carrying ability and better sidewall protection…pick your poison…I pick D for my bronco…
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JL8jeff

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I've always had D or E load tires on my previous trucks and never really cared if it rode a little firmer (it probably did). The Bronco is the first truck I've had with C load tires and it does feel a little softer. I went from the stock Goodyears to BFG KM3 35's that are E rated and you could feel the difference but they were more of a mud tire. I now have KO2 37's load range C and they feel fine for a taller tire. One thing I did notice, the C range tires tend to increase tire pressure a little more when warmed up vs the D or E. Maybe the thinner sidewall flexing more adds more heat/pressure, I'm not sure.
 
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Just put D rated 35x12.5/17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's on my 2025 Sasquatch- love them! Tread width is about 1.25" wider than the stock Territory RT's, and they ride great at 32 psi- very quiet on road. Average MPG went from about 19 to 17 with the Procal 91 2.7L tune. Have yet to wheel with them, but they've got great reviews!

IMG_4211.webp
Do you have any issues with rubbing with them being a little wider? According to manufacturer information they should be very close. GY - 12.4" (315mm) / MT - 12.8, but that is always off some....

I have the MT Baja Boss ATs on my F350 and really like them. Went plus 1 size and dropped 1.5 mpgs on it.

I keep leaning to the MT Baja Boss ATs, will probably go this way. (90%)

I was looking at putting them on the Ford Performance - Method 703 Wheels to try to offset the additional tire weight. The new wheels would weigh about 26-27 lbs compared to the stock wheel being 35lbs. This should help with the added tire weight and mpgs. I know it will go down, always does with heavier tires. The offset on the new wheels is +35 compared to +30 on stock wheels. So it will be a little closer in (.2"). I am OK with this as long as it does not rub. I do not want the wheels to stick out farther.
 

AirportDave

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Do you have any issues with rubbing with them being a little wider? According to manufacturer information they should be very close. GY - 12.4" (315mm) / MT - 12.8, but that is always off some....

I have the MT Baja Boss ATs on my F350 and really like them. Went plus 1 size and dropped 1.5 mpgs on it.

I keep leaning to the MT Baja Boss ATs, will probably go this way. (90%)

I was looking at putting them on the Ford Performance - Method 703 Wheels to try to offset the additional tire weight. The new wheels would weigh about 26-27 lbs compared to the stock wheel being 35lbs. This should help with the added tire weight and mpgs. I know it will go down, always does with heavier tires. The offset on the new wheels is +35 compared to +30 on stock wheels. So it will be a little closer in (.2"). I am OK with this as long as it does not rub. I do not want the wheels to stick out farther.
No issues at all- the actual tread (not casing) width of the RT's I took off were 9" across measured, and these are 10.25". No sure how that offset wheel will impact that though.
 

RSNovi

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We just replaced the stock tires with KO3 and load range D was the lowest they offered for the Bronco. I don't notice any difference in ride quality. I run the recommended pressure, I think 32 or 34 pounds if I remember correctly. Everything else about the KO3 seems better, especially tire noise. At least comparing a brand new KO3 with a nearly worn out stock tire.
 

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lakesinai

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I am trying to decide on what tires to replace the factory Goodyears with. I have a 24 Wildtrack with the stock 315/70-17 AT tires. I have the MT Baja Boss ATs on a F350 and really like the tires. I am looking at the MT Baja Boss AT in 35/12.5-17 D rated and the Toyo Open Country RT Pro in 35/12.5-17. The only reason I have not replaced the stock tires with the MTs is they are load range D. Some people complain about the ride quality with the heavier load range.

I live in north Mississippi so there is no rock crawling, just a little mud during the hunting season so a good AT / RT tire will work fine. I just don't want to sacrifice to much ride quality for 90% of the year.

The MTs will be better for most of the year and are fine for the light mud, but I do not want my teeth rattling if the ride quality is going to be a lot rougher.

How bad is the ride difference going from load range C to D?

TIA
I'm glad you asked this and it's instructive reading the responses. I'm about to swap my 33" Nitto C Rated for 35's and upgrade the Hitachis. Like the OP I don't want to over spec the rating for mostly road with beach off-road, but, I hope one day to get out west. I'm stuck between the Micky Thompsons and the new G3 Nittos, and wondering between "C" and "D",
 
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I'm glad you asked this and it's instructive reading the responses. I'm about to swap my 33" Nitto C Rated for 35's and upgrade the Hitachis. Like the OP I don't want to over spec the rating for mostly road with beach off-road, but, I hope one day to get out west. I'm stuck between the Micky Thompsons and the new G3 Nittos, and wondering between "C" and "D",

I have decided to go with the Micky Thompsons - Baja Boss AT 35x12.5-17 load range D. I really like the tire on my truck and after reading reviews and responses, I think I'll be OK with these. It may be a little stiffer ride, but I can adjust that with tire PSI. I would never go to an E rated for my use on the Bronco.

I have had Nitto Ridge Grapplers before, but not the G3s. I did not like the wet handling on them, thus I went to the MTs with more siping.

Now to figure out the wheels and offsets........
I like the Method 703s, RTR Tech 6, and Icon Rebounds (Not Pro)
The question is the offset? Not sure about going out to 0.
 

lakesinai

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I have decided to go with the Micky Thompsons - Baja Boss AT 35x12.5-17 load range D. I really like the tire on my truck and after reading reviews and responses, I think I'll be OK with these. It may be a little stiffer ride, but I can adjust that with tire PSI. I would never go to an E rated for my use on the Bronco.

I have had Nitto Ridge Grapplers before, but not the G3s. I did not like the wet handling on them, thus I went to the MTs with more siping.

Now to figure out the wheels and offsets........
I like the Method 703s, RTR Tech 6, and Icon Rebounds (Not Pro)
The question is the offset? Not sure about going out to 0.
I bought a set of the Heritage 17x8.5 white wheels, takeoffs, which are +30 offset, giving a wider stance than the current +55 Badlands 17x8 wheels. I won't go "0" offset on a non-sas Bronco because I have the lighter-duty axles and the "0" offset adds more lateral stress that I'm willing to risk. Which suspension is on your Wildtrak? The Fox 3.0 Ford Performance kit is one of my finalists.
 
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I bought a set of the Heritage 17x8.5 white wheels, takeoffs, which are +30 offset, giving a wider stance than the current +55 Badlands 17x8 wheels. I won't go "0" offset on a non-sas Bronco because I have the lighter-duty axles and the "0" offset adds more lateral stress that I'm willing to risk. Which suspension is on your Wildtrak? The Fox 3.0 Ford Performance kit is one of my finalists.

The Wildtrak is Sasquatch and Fox 3.0. It comes standard with 315x70-17 which is as close to the 35x12.5-17 as you can get, basically the same size. The 315x70-17 is E rated, the 35x12.5-17 is D rated. I like the Ford Performance Method 703s but they are +35 offset which moves in 5mm. So, if I go to the 0 offset, I will be going from +30 to 0. It gives a little more poke but should not rub. I'm not sure the +35 will clear everything. Keeping the rest stock.

Ford Bronco Tire Load Range C or D? Bronco
 

mdk77

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Just put D rated 35x12.5/17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's on my 2025 Sasquatch- love them! Tread width is about 1.25" wider than the stock Territory RT's, and they ride great at 32 psi- very quiet on road. Average MPG went from about 19 to 17 with the Procal 91 2.7L tune. Have yet to wheel with them, but they've got great reviews!

IMG_4211.webp
Seriously considering the MTs for my SAS. Is it smooth on the road? I hear mileage takes a big hit and possible balancing issues. I am between the MTs and Toyo's.
 

JediMcMuffin

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I'm running Falken RT01s in D Load Rating, the amount of rashing they've absorbed on the sidewall has made it 100% worth it to me. I do miss the weight of those Goodyear MTs though.
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