Goodbye 35’s!

[huntski54]

I built my ‘23 Big Bend to be as cost effective as possible and only opted for the Mid Package and entry door keypad. I didn’t have any big off roading plans, I just loved the look of these new broncos and wanted one the day Ford said they would be bringing them back.

The day it came in I had a set of all black first edition wheels ready to put on it. I am new to the off-roading world and it wasn’t until I did any research that I realized how your transmissions “gearing” affected driving with larger tires.

After having those on for 11 months (with stock suspension) and seeing my gas mileage top out at 17.5 mpg I put on a set of black diamond steelies (the best-looking wheels in my opinion) with the stock general grabbers and I noticed an immediate difference in how it drives. I commute roughly 35 miles a day and do a bulk of that driving on the highway. It feels like I’m in a Miata. It rides so much smoother, shifts smoother, and I’m getting a combined 21 mpg. I loved the look of my Bronco with the bigger wheels and tires but I absolutely love the way it drives now.

i know this is old news to those who have had lifted trucks/jeeps in the past but I wanted to post this in case others wanted to weigh the pros and cons of switching out to larger tires with an automatic transmission, 3.73 gearing and the 2.3 liter engine.

Sponsored

 

[mpeugeot]

And this is exactly why I keep buying non-sasquatch Black Diamond and Outer Banks take-offs for $500 per set and keep my 33's and 35's for off-roading.

 

[BroncoBeachBuggy]

Well, I must admit those 35s with the First Edition wheels look good - especially if a little bit of a lift were added. That said, I have a BD with steelies and 32s and love the ride. Handles great on the street, sound gas mileage, and since my off-road is just beach driving (and a lot of it), the 32s are more than adequate when aired down. I won't be changing/going larger tires, but it is all personal choice. I agree with your choice, though.

 

[Lcubed]

I am new to the off-roading world and it wasn’t until I did any research that I realized how your transmissions “gearing” affected driving with larger tires.

...

I’m getting a combined 21 mpg. I loved the look of my Bronco with the bigger wheels and tires but I absolutely love the way it drives now.

that's the MPG i'm getting on my 7 MT Badlands Sasquatch w/ 35's and the 4.7 gears.

proper gearing choice makes a big difference!

 

[Monster1926]

Good for you. At the end of the day you should be happy. If you do decided later to go big again I recommend the Ford Performance tune. I went to 37s and I got all the lost power back and then some. The trans is super smooth and I only lost 1mpg.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

35's with 3.73 isn't ideal for optimized fuel economy.

 

[Baja Bronco]

35's with 3.73 isn't ideal for optimized fuel economy.

I must have missed that memo.

We bought Broncos for optimized fuel economy?

 

[HighVelocity]

The yellow brick road will be disappointed.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I must have missed that memo.

We bought Broncos for optimized fuel economy?

Yes, you must have missed it.
My 2- and 4-door 2.3L-powered SAS units (4.70 ratio) get 19 to 22 mpg.

 

[Baja Bronco]

Yes, you must have missed it.
My 2- and 4-door 2.3L-powered SAS units (4.70 ratio) get 19 to 22 mpg.

I “guess” that joke went over your head?

I don’t care what mpg I get, I didn’t buy my Bronco for gas mileage. I get about 16 going downhill, in neutral, with a stiff wind at my back

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I “guess” that joke went over your head?

I don’t care what mpg I get, I didn’t buy my Bronco for gas mileage. I get about 16 going downhill, in neutral, with a stiff wind at my back

I hear you. All good. I didn't expect to get as high as 22 mpg. But being a truck engineer, knowing the tech on the 2.3L, I'm not surprised at the mpg and glad to get it.

 

[JakeL]

Both wheels looks great and glad you're enjoying your Bronco! Just curious, does the Bronco know you switched from 35" to 32" tires? In other words, is the Bronco giving accurate readings for speed, mileage, and mpg?

The circumference of the 35" tires is 20% larger than 32" tires (962" per wheel revolution compared to 804"). Does the Bronco think it's going 20% further with each wheel revolution than it actually is?
21 mpg is 20% better than 17.5 mpg

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

 

[BlueWaffle]

that's the MPG i'm getting on my 7 MT Badlands Sasquatch w/ 35's and the 4.7 gears.

proper gearing choice makes a big difference!

Does it? I get 21 on my 35s & 3.73s...

To be fair, it's rural driving mostly. No "in town" and barely any highway.

 

[Brian_B]

Both wheels looks great and glad you're enjoying your Bronco! Just curious, does the Bronco know you switched from 35" to 32" tires? In other words, is the Bronco giving accurate readings for speed, mileage, and mpg?

The circumference of the 35" tires is 20% larger than 32" tires (962" per wheel revolution compared to 804"). Does the Bronco think it's going 20% further with each wheel revolution than it actually is?
21 mpg is 20% better than 17.5 mpg

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

It's an easy change to make if you have the ProCal Tuner or with Forscan

 

[Lcubed]

Does it? I get 21 on my 35s & 3.73s...

To be fair, it's rural driving mostly. No "in town" and barely any highway.

i'm actually getting closer to 23 mpg now w/ the bestow sunRider closed and the AC on. in-town and some highway

i'm also running the Ford Procal which also improved MPG

Sponsored