2025 Bronco OBX Tire Suggestions

[peterdunson]

Hello, I just recently got a 2025 Bronco OBX 4 door with the 18 inch wheels and want to put some more aggressive tires on it. Do people have any suggestions? I don’t want to do a lift or any modifications. I saw some people say that the 285 70r18s would fit well. Also interested in any suggestions for specific tires I could go for? Also any suggestions for where I should go to get them fit? Dealer or local shop? Thanks!

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[Brian_B]

A lot goes into tire selection

Is this a daily driver that gets a lot of miles? How sensitive are you to changes in fuel economy? Are you happy with the overall size/stance of your current tires and just want something that “looks” more aggressive?

Do you live in an area with snow, or an area that ~seldom~ gets rain, or an area that often gets torrential rain?

So you intend to Offroad it at all? If so, what kinda of trail/terrain?

So - that’s a lot of questions

On most 4x4 vehicles, the most popular that I see:

#1 BFG KO2 - more than half the 4x4s and trucks that off road I see run this tire, and many that just run it because they like the look. The stock tire on Badlands and Braptors

#2 Falken Wildpeak AT3S / AT4S - I see a ton of 4x4s, trucks, and light AWD (Subarus, etc) run this tire — very popular in light/moderate snow country. Not quite as popular as KO2, but I see it across a much wider vehicle base

#3 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT - more common on Broncos that off road. Not all that common across all vehicles but common enough on Broncos to note.

 

[peterdunson]

Hey Brian, thanks for the response. My current tires are the stock 255s and they aren’t big enough or aggressive enough for what I’m looking for. I will use it as a daily but want to be able to Offroad confidently and have a more aggressive look, fill in the wheel arches. Nothing anything specific for the off-roading, but sort of all purpose tire might be good. Not super concerned about the MPG loss, but still want a semi smooth ride on the highway at 70mph.

 

[peterdunson]

Also I should note I’ll be in Ohio for much of the year with a lot of deep snow, so want to be able to drive in that confidently!

 

[Fastmc25]

I just got these yesterday. They are 2025 Badlands takeoffs. K002 tires had 20 miles on them. Found on Facebook marketplace for a reasonable price for all5 with sensors included. I like the look and ride noise is good.

They are 285/70-17.

 

[Brian_B]

Also I should note I’ll be in Ohio for much of the year with a lot of deep snow, so want to be able to drive in that confidently!

I’d recommend the Falken Wildpeaks or the Mickey Baja Bosses

These tires do run on the heavy side - you will take a MPG hit - but they do excellent off road, are tame on road, and are excellent in bad weather.

As far as size - that’s kind of up to you.
Bajas come in a 33x11.5 Std or LRD which would be a little bit bigger than what you got, a 33x12.5 LRD that would be a bit wider and more aggressive, a neat 255/85 LRE pizza cutter 34” and the very popular 35x12.5 LRD

Falken moved everything to the AT4W, which has a better side wall than the 3 series - some good sizes to check out - they have something at just about every size point
255/80 LRE
285/75 LRC
315/70 LRC
35x11.5 LRC
35x12.5 LRE

 

[Brian_B]

Load Range - how much weight the tire is rated to carry - which for Broncos really means how stiff the side wall is, and more side wall will add more weight.

Higher load range will ride stiffer. But they will also be stronger. Most folks stay in the LRC to LRE range - and some have strong opinions about it. For Ohio I think you’d be ok on the softer side without issue, but if you were in a place with a lot of sharp rocks (Southwest desert, etc) or you liked to run at very low air pressure (dunes or deep snow), then getting on the higher end of that would be a good idea

 

[Fastmc25]

There are deals to be found. I drove 270 miles to pick these up but it was worth the savings

I have snow and ice to deal with in winter here in northeast Tennessee mountains.

a lift is next on my list.

 

[peterdunson]

Load Range - how much weight the tire is rated to carry - which for Broncos really means how stiff the side wall is, and more side wall will add more weight.

Higher load range will ride stiffer. But they will also be stronger. Most folks stay in the LRC to LRE range - and some have strong opinions about it. For Ohio I think you’d be ok on the softer side without issue, but if you were in a place with a lot of sharp rocks (Southwest desert, etc) or you liked to run at very low air pressure (dunes or deep snow), then getting on the higher end of that would be a good idea

Thanks! I’ve got 18 inch wheels currently, do you know what the biggest wheels are that will fit without a lift or anything? I don’t want narrow wheels, wide is good but also large circumference

 

[tstyles]

I was in the same situation. Mine is daily driver and I didn't want a super aggressive tread, but still capable. I did a ton of research and ended up with the 275/70r18 Bridgestone Dueler A/T-S. Oddly, it's the exact tire model of the factory 255 tires but the tread design is more open. I've got 10K miles on them and have been very happy. These are also the absolutely lightest load range E tires I could find in that size. 46lbs each. 33.2" tall.

 

[Brian_B]

Thanks! I’ve got 18 inch wheels currently, do you know what the biggest wheels are that will fit without a lift or anything? I don’t want narrow wheels, wide is good but also large circumference

Offset plays into that somewhat

35s will fit by pulling the crash bars out, but there may be some rubbing depending on your offset and tire width - a little bit of lift or fender trimming can cure that.

315/70r17 (not sure what the metric size for 35 on an r18 is offhand) or 35x12.5 are common

 

[peterdunson]

Offset plays into that somewhat

35s will fit by pulling the crash bars out, but there may be some rubbing depending on your offset and tire width - a little bit of lift or fender trimming can cure that.

315/70r17 (not sure what the metric size for 35 on an r18 is offhand) or 35x12.5 are common

Do think 285 70R18s (33.7 inch) would work without removing crash bars?

 

[Danielsand]

If you don't remove crash bars, that tire will hit it every time you go over a speed bump or uneven terrain as the suspension flexes. 'Filling the wheel wells' is all good, but hit a speed bump at speed, and you'll see.

 

[Brian_B]

Do think 285 70R18s (33.7 inch) would work without removing crash bars?

I’m not sure to be honest - someone around here has probably tried it though

 

[lakesinai]

Also I should note I’ll be in Ohio for much of the year with a lot of deep snow, so want to be able to drive in that confidently!

I lived many years in far upstate NY and then a very hilly section of suburban Philly. I always ran an ice compound snow/ice tire like Blizzak or X-Ice. That is what I would do with my OBX 18" rims, a nice set of dedicated Ice tires for whatever "winter" is for you . . . 3-4 months of the year.

I now live in Coastal SC, and I bought a set of Badlands 8x17 wheels, with a set on 285/70R17 Nitto Nomad Grappler tires. Very quiet, taller & wider than stock, 33", no lift needed. Very nice for highway, road and beach. See photo. If you want something more aggressive, Mickey Thompson makes a set of these in "C" for lower weight or on "E" for greater durability. This 33" tire upgrade has been a great choice for me in comfortable driving.

Both the Nittos and MT are said to be good in snow, however, in the end, IME, it was always the ice that was the danger and the killer . . . And snow tread is not a help in ice. Compound rubber ice tires really do work, for 2-3 seasons, until you wear off the ice layer.

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