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Looks vs Logic - Tire size ??

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SierraBronco

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I totally agree!
As much as I complain about poor MPG that goes hand in hand with Sasquatch and 4-DOOR "penalties" I went with looks - that for now at least I'm willing to accept - until it's time to look at replacing tires. I cannot justify going bigger/heavier.
But you do you. Be Happy!
I think stock is best, and actually lowered mine in the pursuit of better fuel economy.
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LK2GOD

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Well, I cant dispute that at all, good point, but I gotta find a balance for highway driving, we shall see - thanks
I have a OB 2.7 and chose to keep the same as stock tire diameter 32.1 inches but gained 1.5 inches in tread width and better looks by getting Cooper Road and Trail 275 65/18. They are a much better tire than stock Bridgestones and handle great and deliver good traction for a mall crawler primary use. I have 3.73 gears and added a Detroit Truetrac LSD for traction.
 

Valhalla

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To the OP I have 5 OE sasquatch tires I will let go cheap. I run 37's as i do a lot of off highway adventuring. 
Ford Bronco Looks vs Logic - Tire size ?? 20250607_125429
 

TruckCamper

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Most guys buy tires for the "looks" no doubt. Otherwise, Mud Terrain tires wouldn't sell. Unless you trailer your rig... it will spend by far the majority of time on road. Mud Terrain tires are poor on road: rolling resistance (MPG), wet traction (compared to AT or Hwy), packed snow/ice, noise and handling response.

Mud Terrain tires decades ago were the "only" option to obtain a strong tire carcass (3 ply sidewall) that could survive serious off road use. That is NOT the case today. Many quality tire manufactures: BFG, Toyo, Nitto, MT and others (not made in China) use the Mud Terrain carcass in their All Terrain or Hybrid tread designs. This is revolutionary! It means you get most all the benefits with limited compromises.

I lived in the PNW for most of my life. Everyone claimed Mud Terrain was the only option for trails in the mud, wet, snow. I bought into it for years... I've run Super Swamper TSL, Firestone Destination MT, BFG MT, Toyo MT and other aggressive tires. When the KO2 arrived on the scene decided to try it out. It went EVERYWHERE all my buddies with Mud Tires went. In fact, I was leading most trail runs!

You can't beat getting 20mpg with a tire like the KO2 and going everywhere a Mud Tire goes. Sure, you're going to need wheel speed (no different than Mud Tires) at times. But the slight compromise gives benefits everywhere else. I'd even argue that All Terrain tires are better rock crawling due to the improved contact patch. I've been running All Terrain tires for over a decade and wouldn't go back.

Skinny tires are also massively underrated for traction and ability to gain height without as much "stress" (breakage) of parts.
 

heavyD

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I’m running 38s on 7MT 4.43. A lot of folks here wouldn’t do that - but it isn’t their money being spent on my rig so I do what I wanna do. It still drives.
Just poking fun as this made me laugh. Not exactly a ringing endorsement haha. I'll probably stick with 33 because it seems pretty optimal for a 2 door Badlands and the fact that I'm a car guy and not a truck guy. I do have the itch to change wheels as the Badlands wheels are pretty boring.
 

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Valhalla

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Most guys buy tires for the "looks" no doubt. Otherwise, Mud Terrain tires wouldn't sell. Unless you trailer your rig... it will spend by far the majority of time on road. Mud Terrain tires are poor on road: rolling resistance (MPG), wet traction (compared to AT or Hwy), packed snow/ice, noise and handling response.

Ford Bronco Looks vs Logic - Tire size ?? 20250605_110614


Skinny tires are also massively underrated for traction and ability to gain height without as much "stress" (breakage) of parts.
Ford Bronco Looks vs Logic - Tire size ?? IMG_1177

Skinnies have their place.

Ford Bronco Looks vs Logic - Tire size ?? img_1180


In the southeast, these pack up bad. Rock they are fine, add water and dirt you will find little traction.
Ford Bronco Looks vs Logic - Tire size ?? lean

Around here trails turn to creeks easy.
 

TruckCamper

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In the southeast, these pack up bad. Rock they are fine, add water and dirt you will find little traction.
We know about clay mud. That is much of the PNW (like Tillamook State Forest). My buddy with BFG MTs and my truck with Ko2 hit trails and hill climbs in the rain many times. There were times we would be in 2nd or 3rd gear at redline getting up trails. Momentum and wheel speed is your friend in the muck. People try to crawl stuff in the clay and that just doesn't work well.

Just saying... the Ko2s never failed to get through every trail and to every destination. The slight edge that an MT tire has (in mud) isn't worth the compromises (to me) in every other condition.

And I don't like tire noise. Been there. Done that. Many long drives with TSL Swampers that make your brain hurt. No thanks.
 

Brian_B

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Just poking fun as this made me laugh. Not exactly a ringing endorsement haha. I'll probably stick with 33 because it seems pretty optimal for a 2 door Badlands and the fact that I'm a car guy and not a truck guy. I do have the itch to change wheels as the Badlands wheels are pretty boring.
You aren't wrong. I wouldn't go out and recommend what I'm doing to anyone - it fits my specific case and is constantly evolving as I learn more. Just pointing it out to the crowd that says you ~have~ to lower your gear ratio to run 35s... that it is nice, I will admit and has it's advantages, but it's not a requirement or pre-requisite. So don't let that stop you.
 

Valhalla

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We know about clay mud. That is much of the PNW (like Tillamook State Forest). My buddy with BFG MTs and my truck with Ko2 hit trails and hill climbs in the rain many times. There were times we would be in 2nd or 3rd gear at redline getting up trails. Momentum and wheel speed is your friend in the muck. People try to crawl stuff in the clay and that just doesn't work well.

Just saying... the Ko2s never failed to get through every trail and to every destination. The slight edge that an MT tire has (in mud) isn't worth the compromises (to me) in every other condition.

And I don't like tire noise. Been there. Done that. Many long drives with TSL Swampers that make your brain hurt. No thanks.
I don't run the swampers on road except between trails. I have MickeyT Baja bosses for that.
 

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I have no dog in this fight (no 2.3, mt, non Sasquatch and could care less about highway performance over “trail” performance)…I bought and equipped my bronco to go off road and put up with worse on road performance…while I do have some personal appearance changes and appreciate them on others I really am a “function“ guy. That said if ya have Bronco and only drive it on the highway you have the wrong vehicle and are all about looks/image…that is fine (I am glad so many folks buy them so ford will keep making them, of course they don’t make a ”off-road“ bronco (2dr, V6) anymore)…I guess I just want to say there are 4 pages on this simple topic already…do whatever makes ya happy to your Bronco or any of your vehicles…no need to overthink it…party on!
 

AZCoyote

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I have no dog in this fight (no 2.3, mt, non Sasquatch and could care less about highway performance over “trail” performance)…I bought and equipped my bronco to go off road and put up with worse on road performance…while I do have some personal appearance changes and appreciate them on others I really am a “function“ guy. That said if ya have Bronco and only drive it on the highway you have the wrong vehicle and are all about looks/image…that is fine (I am glad so many folks buy them so ford will keep making them, of course they don’t make a ”off-road bronco (2dr, V6) anymore)…I guess I just want to say is there are 4 pages on this simple topic already…do whatever makes ya happy to your Bronco or any of your vehicles…no need to overthink it…party on!
I LOVE the people who buy off-road vehicles and never wheel them. They make the best second hand vehicle purchases a few years later when lululemon mommy wants a new mall crawler. And they often buy them with Sas just for looks so you know it’s never been rashed. The other contingent is how I got my current bronco. Grandma and Grandpa bought it and returned it to the dealer after a couple 1000 miles.
 

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I have no dog in this fight (no 2.3, mt, non Sasquatch and could care less about highway performance over “trail” performance)…I bought and equipped my bronco to go off road and put up with worse on road performance…while I do have some personal appearance changes and appreciate them on others I really am a “function“ guy. That said if ya have Bronco and only drive it on the highway you have the wrong vehicle and are all about looks/image…that is fine (I am glad so many folks buy them so ford will keep making them, of course they don’t make a ”off-road“ bronco (2dr, V6) anymore)…I guess I just want to say there are 4 pages on this simple topic already…do whatever makes ya happy to your Bronco or any of your vehicles…no need to overthink it…party on!
What vehicle would you recommend as a 2 door SUV with a manual, removable top and removable doors for on-road activities?
 
 





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