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Will 33"+ Tire Upgrade Negatively Affect Paved Ride on OBX?

reigny

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I'm looking to get a 33" or higher tire upgrade for my OBX and want to use stock wheels. As far as I can research 275/70/18 fits with no lift or modifcations (curious if 285/70/18 will as well). That said They have a load range of E which I'm hearing makes a much less smooth pavement ride. I'm looking for mostly mall crawling comfort (insert jokes here) and light off road with a beefier look. I can go 35" with a lift, but again am i destroying that smooth ride for appearance?

KO2, Nitto Grappler, Cooper Discoverer - any one better over another for my needs?
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Depends on the tire. My Kenda Klever AT2s ride almost as smooth as the Duellers and handle way better. Much stiffer, but I knew that going in. If that's an issue get P rated instead of LT.
 
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reigny

reigny

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I'm looking to get a 33" or higher tire upgrade for my OBX and want to use stock wheels. As far as I can research 275/70/18 fits with no lift or modifcations (curious if 285/70/18 will as well).
According to what I've been told (and seen installed), 285/70/18 and 285/75/18 will fit the OBX with stock wheels, with no lift (but will require crash bar removal). 275/70/18 seems to be the largest that require absolutely no mods. You also have to consider the availability and cost of 285/7x/18 (few models, and more expensive) tires vs. 275/70/18 (many choices, and a lot less expensive).
 

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According to what I've been told (and seen installed), 285/70/18 and 285/75/18 will fit the OBX with stock wheels, with no lift (but will require crash bar removal). 275/70/18 seems to be the largest that require absolutely no mods. You also have to consider the availability and cost of 285/7x/18 (few models, and more expensive) tires vs. 275/70/18 (many choices, and a lot less expensive).
This is accurate. I just went through this exercise. 285s I initially wanted are all back ordered. I went with 275/70 for my obx and am considering a modest 1" lift (altho not needed).

The tires arrived at the dealership. Just waiting for convoy to drop off my Bronco. I have zero concerns about fit thanks to some members on here who have done the same thing and my own research
 

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reigny

reigny

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This is accurate. I just went through this exercise. 285s I initially wanted are all back ordered. I went with 275/70 for my obx and am considering a modest 1" lift (altho not needed).

The tires arrived at the dealership. Just waiting for convoy to drop off my Bronco. I have zero concerns about fit thanks to some members on here who have done the same thing and my own research
this is great information that coincides with my research. Do you think the 275/70/18 is enough to make a good visual difference between the stock tires? I hate to spend $1500 and not have that much change. And I suppose this video with the 295/70/18 does not need to take the crash bars off because of the 2 inch lift? And will a change in tires affect my ride that much? I assume it canโ€™t since everyone Is doing it and most are riding on pavement.
 
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Vigor

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this is great information that coincides with my research. Do you think the 275/70/18 is enough to make a good visual difference between the stock tires? I hate to spend $1500 and not have that much change. And I suppose this video with the 295/70/18 does not need to take the crash bars off because of the 2 inch lift? And will a change in tires affect my ride that much? I assume it canโ€™t since everyone Is doing it and most are riding on pavement.
I didn't watch the video but they likely didn't need to take the crash bars off because 295 designates width (girth). The 70 is ratio, which is a better indicator if it would touch the crash bar or not. A 75 ratio likely would rub without a lift

Those 34s look great on that obx.
With 33.4s (what I went with), too much of a lift will diminish the larger tire look I was going for. I personally prefer the stuffed look, and I won't be doing too much off roading for the articulation and flex to matter. So that's why I'm eyeing the 1 inch lift over a 2 Inch lift.

Hope that helps
 
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reigny

reigny

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I didn't watch the video but they likely didn't need to take the crash bars off because 295 designates width (girth). The 70 is ratio, which is a better indicator if it would touch the crash bar or not. A 75 ratio likely would rub without a lift

Those 34s look great on that obx.
With 33.4s (what I went with), too much of a lift will diminish the larger tire look I was going for. I personally prefer the stuffed look, and I won't be doing too much off roading for the articulation and flex to matter. So that's why I'm eyeing the 1 inch lift over a 2 Inch lift.

Hope that helps
This helps tremendously. This is exactly what Iโ€™m going for. Please post photos when you ger your bronco back
 
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The General Grabber AT/X in 275/70/18 is available in a standard tire passenger SL designation. You have to specify passenger SL when you order it, but it can be done. It will be a 3-ply tire vs 10 ply E-rated. This tire has GREAT reviews.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Grabber+A/TX&partnum=77SR8GRATX&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

I was in the same boat going back and forth, wanting to preserve the ride of the OBX but get a better visual.

The General Grabber 275/70/18 SL is what I would have went with to accomplish this. But I ended up spending a little more and getting a set of Sasquatch wheel/tire takeoffs. They are C rated tires so I figure a little better than E-rated and if they came from the factory like that, the ride couldn't be too harsh.

If you want to upgrade to 295/70/18 the Nitto Terra Trail Grappler G2 A/T is available as a passenger SL rated tire (special order) as well. So that would be your largest passenger SL rated tire that you could find to fit on the OBX wheel. With this setup you may or may not have to remove the crash bars. I was told you don't by a Bronco specialist. You also shouldn't need a lift with this setup, but obviously would look great with one.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/nitto-terra-grappler-g2/p/32298


Good luck with your search. Hope this information helps.
 
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reigny

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The General Grabber AT/X in 275/70/18 is available in a standard tire passenger SL designation. You have to specify passenger SL when you order it, but it can be done. It will be a 3-ply tire vs 10 ply E-rated. This tire has GREAT reviews.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Grabber+A/TX&partnum=77SR8GRATX&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

I was in the same boat going back and forth, wanting to preserve the ride of the OBX but get a better visual.

The General Grabber 275/70/18 SL is what I would have went with to accomplish this. But I ended up spending a little more and getting a set of Sasquatch wheel/tire takeoffs. They are C rated tires so I figure a little better than E-rated and if they came from the factory like that, the ride couldn't be too harsh.

If you want to upgrade to 295/70/18 the Nitto Terra Trail Grappler G2 A/T is available as a passenger SL rated tire (special order) as well. So that would be your largest passenger SL rated tire that you could find to fit on the OBX wheel. With this setup you may or may not have to remove the crash bars. I was told you don't by a Bronco specialist. You also shouldn't need a lift with this setup, but obviously would look great with one.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/nitto-terra-grappler-g2/p/32298


Good luck with your search. Hope this information helps.
Thank you for the thorough information! My next step is to see if I can fit that 295/70/18 without a lift. My bronco has a build date 11/15 so trying to get things in order.
Falken wildpeaks. I wanted capable winter/snow tires and these are reportedly quiet for an E rated tire
I'm in FL so don't need anything like that at all!
 
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kjbraddock

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I am in the same boat as everyone above. I was thinking of a simple swap with the KO2's. Any concerns of ride comfort with those? I really like the look and think its a simple swap without lift or anything.
 
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reigny

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