KO2s or is the Bronco

[Sgt Badlands]

This happened to me once also. I have a 2 door. It was raining. Went through an intersection and turned. Wasn’t going fast. Just hit the gas at the right time while turning and the back end started to fish tail out. Scared the you know what out of me. This was 2 years ago and haven’t had any similar episodes.

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[Fast Eddie]

I bought a set of badlands rims and brand new K02's for my OBX. Put them on and they lasted 1 week. I cannot for the life of me understand how people say they are a- quiet b- not rough and c- good on road and in the wet. They SUCKED. Got to the point I was nervous applying gas in the rain, especially if the steering wheel was turned. They are loud and particularly jiggly. Nope, I'll never buy that crap again.

 

[CarGuy]

Had K02s on my F150 Raptor…horrible in wet conditions!

 

[swami37]

KO2‘s not a good tire IMO

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Happens with mine too. I now use 4A consistently when roads are wet. Getting close to replacing them and can’t wait!

 

[Tybh88]

I will also mention that there isn't many vechicles that have 4.27+ gear ratios and if you have 2.7L 400lbs of torque. Its been a few times I've turned to another road while it isnt raining and chirp the tires. I have the general grabbers. I think its just both in this situation.

 

[Nc211]

I’ve got a 1 inch lip on my garage floor at the apron to keep water out. I back mine into the garage (easier to get in/out of the drivers side). I had K03’s initially (285/65/18). When backing it, if even remotely damp, the could not pull the front wheels over that 1 inch lip without some momentum. The K03’s would just sit there and chirp on the surface. I had them for 1 month and switched them out for the SL BFG “Trail Terrain” tires instead (275/65/18). It can pull itself over that lip with no issues now.

That said, even with the T/Terrain, was coming around a clover leaf onto the highway, was damp, hit the gas a little too soon to get up merging speed, and that rear end started to slide out on me.

So to the OP: it’s both. It’s the K02’s, AND it’s the fact that there isn’t a lot of weight sitting on the rear end of the car.

Now, once you find where that breaking point is for your Bronco, it can be a little fun! Hey, just be thankful you’re allowed to have a vehicle that can fishtail these days in general!

 

[DriveAllNight]

In case you're looking for more conformation, I agree with what many are saying:

KO2s are not known for being great in the wet
The Bronco can kick out, I've noticed it the most when coming out of the do it yourself carwash and the tires are slicked up.
When ever the road is wet I throw it into 4 Auto and it makes a big huge difference.

 

[userdude]

I have KO2s on my 2010 2dr sb Chevy pickup (e.g., light in the back) and yeah, when the road is wet or it's worn down black top, they lose grip very easily. I genuinely fear them when the road is wet and I'm on the gas. I have a black top turn to go up a short hill and I've almost slid off the road or spun around several times. I really dislike them when it's wet and drive with my foot off the gas a lot.

 

[raptorusmaximus]

I've been running ko2s on my f-150 raptor for 13 years with no issues and I never had a problem with oems on my braptor either.... I didn't like that they are small though. I run nitto mud grapplers on the braptor now and like them.

 

[Ape Factory]

I can't get the new K03's on my Raptor soon enough (Spring 2026 for the Raptor model to be released). As others have said, horrible in the rain. Hell, in the dry, I can punch it in the first three gears in a straight line and get the rear tires spinning/squealing. On dry corners, I have to be fairly careful punching it out of corners and I've gotten pretty good at drifting the thing.

In the wet, straight line braking is horrible (dry too) and you can get a lot of threshold braking training in on the Bronco where you exist at max braking force before engaging ABS. I had a situation where it'd just begun to rain and I took a 90 degree turn onto a street and the rear end came around. Full lock counter-steer to get her pointed in the right direction so I didn't smack the median curb. Fifteen years of track days comes in pretty handy with the K02's and the Bronco.

I will say that the most dangerous road conditions for rain is right after it starts. It's just enough for all the oil in the road to seep up and creates extra treacherous conditions.

 

[Mike leggiero]

put set on my ranger in the rain ko2 suck about hit the wall on the way home one night came off the next day and gave them away . got a set of wheels with k02 om them for my wifes bronco in 2 wheel drive in the rain and these were c rate didnt do any better had to drive it im 4a put my maxxix at night and day diffience. now i have 37s terrax rt the grip in the cant be beat also had them on my 2 door base .

 

[Mako]

Originally posted in what did you do with your Bronco today.

Nearly crapped pants in it and wrecked it. Saved it.
Applied a little gas on a left banked wet turn merging onto an highway. Immediately kicked the back end right and closed to swapping ends. Lifted foot and steered into direction rear end was going. 3 yo KO2s 17k miles. 2nd time. Is it the tires or something about the Bronco/traction control?

I just put Goodyear MT back on my 2023 Bronco, I got 47000 + miles and not down to the wear indicators , but close. I hate changing tires and blowouts so I usually change my tires a tad prematurely. I always rotate with a 5 tire rotation every 5000 miles w/oil change. I didn't buy KO2's because of the bad wrap they get on wet payment and since I live in Houston I see a lot of wet payment. I have not had much trouble with the Goodyear tires and at the cost of $1158.00 ( a couple of military discounts involved) for all 5 tires it was a no brainer for me.

 

[Techun]

K02 are absolute dog shit in the rain. I made my own thread on this same thing a few months ago

 

[Buckingbronco2024]

Originally posted in what did you do with your Bronco today.

Nearly crapped pants in it and wrecked it. Saved it.
Applied a little gas on a left banked wet turn merging onto an highway. Immediately kicked the back end right and closed to swapping ends. Lifted foot and steered into direction rear end was going. 3 yo KO2s 17k miles. 2nd time. Is it the tires or something about the Bronco/traction control?

I have run K02's for decades on everything from Rubicons, Ram 2500 Pickups, Willy's and currently my Bronco Raptor. Based on the vehicle, they act differently in "rainy" wet conditions. It's pretty well accepted that K02's can be challenging on wet roads, but knowing this I just compensate by using some delicate throttle work! They wear like iron but the individual has to figure out whether or not they are comfortable with their personality. In snow, I've never had an issue however.

Word has it, the K03 has addressed the "rainy" issue handling.

Hope this helps,
Charlie

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