Bronco Tire Size Guide To Give A Lifted Look

The Ford Bronco is among the most popular SUVs on the market, and its rich history proves that it’s a pretty capable vehicle. The stock setup is made to be a perfect balance between capability and comfort, and it sometimes seems that the Bronco can be more aggressive, more capable, and more rugged.

There are a number of ways to achieve this, from upgrading the suspension components to adding lift kits, and using larger wheels and tires. In this article, we’ll talk about how tires can give a lifted look to any Bronco.

Understanding Basic Tire Measurements

Three basic measurements determine a tire’s overall size. These measurements can be defined in imperial or metric units, but they provide the same information.

The first measurement is the tire’s width. Because wheels are made in specific widths, it’s essential to get tires that will fit the wheels with a small positive or negative margin. When it comes to width, a half-inch difference is tolerated without any issues. Using wider or narrower tires on your wheels can lead to both premature wear and safety issues in terms of the tire coming off the bead or reduced turning radius.

The second number found in tire sizes represents the tire height from the wheel to the contact surface. In tires with metric measurement, the second number represents a percentage of the tire’s width, while tires with imperial measures show this height in inches. Lastly, the third measurement has the letter R before the number, and it represents the wheel diameter the tire is made for. Both imperial and metric measurements use inches here.

Why Are Larger Tires a Good Investment?

There are a number of reasons why replacing stock tires with larger ones is a good investment, however, two main reasons are improved aesthetics and better off-road performance.

Better off-road performance is achieved with an increased ground clearance. Although tires alone can’t make a huge difference in ground clearance, the difference can be noticed. Also, off-road tires are also larger compared to all-terrain tires, and have deeper grooves in the tread.

This allows the tire to achieve more grip even when it's on slippery surfaces such as mud, snow, or sand.

When it comes to visual appearance, larger tires have a strong influence. Stock tires used in most vehicles, including the Bronco, are designed to provide the ideal balance between performance, capability, and on-road comfort. Due to the Bronco’s relatively large wheel wells, there’s a lot of room for fitting larger tires without any other suspension upgrades or modifications.

Another reason why larger tires are a good investment is the increased tire durability. Mud-terrain tires are designed to withstand extreme driving conditions and are less susceptible to punctures while driving over unpaved roads and sharp rocks. The ride is also more comfortable, especially while driving off-road.

The Best Tire Size for a Lifted Look

Bronco’s base model comes fitted with 30.1-inch tires as stock, and it’s clear as day that there’s a lot of space in the wheel wells that can be filled. With 33-inch tires, the Bronco’s wheel well becomes more filled. With 34-inch tires like these Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs, the Bronco becomes a force to be reckoned with, adding a more aggressive look and stance. It’s the ideal type of tire to fit on your Bronco if you’re looking for a lifted look and improved off-road performance.

Fitting 35-inch tires is possible, however, there’s a strong possibility that the tire will scrape the inner wheel well while turning and while going over bumps on the road. This leads to both premature tire wear, and it can cause damage to the Bronco’s body panels. It’s recommended to use leveling kits at least to prevent this damage from happening.

Conclusion

The Ford Bronco is one of the most popular SUVs that’s used for a variety of activities, from driving the kids to school, to tackling off-road trails during the weekend. Creating a lifted look is possible by simply replacing stock wheels and tires, and it’s the most affordable way of increasing ground clearance, getting better off-road performance, and a lifted, more aggressive look.

It’s important to consider the generation of your Bronco, as older generations included smaller wheels and tires compared to the current generation of the iconic SUV. Choosing the right tire can also affect the overall driving experience. Going with tires that are larger than 35 inches requires additional investments in lift kits and suspension components.

If you’re using your Bronco mostly off-road, getting mud-terrain or all-terrain tires would be recommended, but if you’re using it on the road most of the time, all-season tires will do the trick. Even with a less aggressive tread pattern, all-season tires will give you the lifted look you’ve been looking for. At ExtremeTerrain, you’ll always find the right tires for your Bronco, whether you’re after just rubber or sets of wheels and tires. Need some help? Ask one of our sales techs questions about anything from style to fitment and performance.