Sanity Check: 2025 Big Bend on 35s — Bilstein 5100s (2.0"/2.5"), Stock Wheels, & BFG KO2s (Load C)

[alenarjad]

315s should not be installed on Big Bend wheels as the wheels are too narrow

I see that they’re riiiiight on the cusp as they’re 7.5” and 35’s call for 8+”…. We’ll see if I can get away with it…

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[crzyhawk]

I know a lot of folks run 35's on HOSS 1.0 setups, but I'd be concerned about the impacts of the weight on the steering rack and potentially my FDU. I'd definitely not be upgrading my tierods so they could be sacrificed to the gods of physics.

 

[PWillette]

My understanding is both yes and no. I want to be clear, I am not certain about what I am about to say, so make sure you confirm before you assume it's fact.

I don't think it's easy to add a locker to the axle housing. The pinion gear is welded to the carrier, so fiddling around in there will be messy. Additionally, I think you need a different axle housing for a locking rear end. I'm not 100% on that, but pretty sure that's an accurate statement.

That said, you can order the whole thing from Ford Performance and bolt it in. if you're willing to swap housings and wire the locker to an upfitter, I don't think it's hard. I'm not sure if you can get a locker from FP with 3.73 gears though, which might things rough for you. I have a manual with 4.46 gears so it's easy for me. with 3.73 you might have to re-gear the front as well, in which case you might as well just upgrade to the M210 FDU.

I don't believe OEM 3.73 is available w/ locker. Front gears will need to match whatever rear he decides to go with.

 

[dgorsett]

Thanks for all of this!

going with falkens at this point. Gonna stick with 35’s with spacers and go for the best

yeah gonna do 2” in front but after researching more, it sounds like 1.5” in the back is suggested in that the BB is raked (rear is lifted 1-1.5” from factory). Don’t necessarily want to completely get rid of the rake so I can haul some gear without sagging.

skid plates will come a bit after this project and yeah…. I know the rear locker project is going to be a bitch but we’ll see when we get there… did you install a rear locker?

I got the factory rear 4.27 locker at order in 21. Keep your eyes out for a set of 4.46 lockers, someone might be swapping out to lower gears.

 

[crzyhawk]

I don't believe OEM 3.73 is available w/ locker. Front gears will need to match whatever rear he decides to go with.

Yep that makes his upgrade more difficult.

 

[JL8jeff]

You may want to look for a set of Sasquatch takeoff wheels/tires locally. Just make sure they still have the tpms sensors and it should save you a bit of money. But you need to make sure they are from a newer Sas (25-26 I think) to get the correct frequency to sync up with your computer. And if you want it more level, you want 1-2" of lift up front and .5-1.5" of lift in the back (.5" less in the back).

 

[alenarjad]

I got the factory rear 4.27 locker at order in 21. Keep your eyes out for a set of 4.46 lockers, someone might be swapping out to lower gears.

Good looking out!

 

[alenarjad]

My understanding is both yes and no. I want to be clear, I am not certain about what I am about to say, so make sure you confirm before you assume it's fact.

I don't think it's easy to add a locker to the axle housing. The pinion gear is welded to the carrier, so fiddling around in there will be messy. Additionally, I think you need a different axle housing for a locking rear end. I'm not 100% on that, but pretty sure that's an accurate statement.

That said, you can order the whole thing from Ford Performance and bolt it in. if you're willing to swap housings and wire the locker to an upfitter, I don't think it's hard. I'm not sure if you can get a locker from FP with 3.73 gears though, which might things rough for you. I have a manual with 4.46 gears so it's easy for me. with 3.73 you might have to re-gear the front as well, in which case you might as well just upgrade to the M210 FDU.

Thanks for this! I’ll be referring back if/when the time comes…

 

[alenarjad]

You may want to look for a set of Sasquatch takeoff wheels/tires locally. Just make sure they still have the tpms sensors and it should save you a bit of money. But you need to make sure they are from a newer Sas (25-26 I think) to get the correct frequency to sync up with your computer. And if you want it more level, you want 1-2" of lift up front and .5-1.5" of lift in the back (.5" less in the back).

Got it! I’ve looked online/at marketplace and haven’t found anything that looked in good shape. Gonna go with new falken’s on my existing wheels

About the front and back lift; I think I’m going to go with 2” in front and 1.5” in back to keep just a bit of the rake to compensate for gear/camping stuff I may keep in back as to not sag. Thoughts on this?

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