Body Lift/Tires

[Rendezvous]

So My dad recently gave me his 1982 Bronco. I am in the process of giving it a make over and I had a few questions. The previous owner installed a 3 inch body lift and the tires look TINY. Especially compared to my buddies 01 F-250 with 15" of lift and 53 inch swampers....OK so my bronco has 31x10.50s...They look really skinny and small. I plan to get a 4 inch suspension lift in the future, so if I have 4 inches of suspension and 3 inches of body how big of tires/rims should I install?? (I was thinking 35s with 15x10 rims??) And also whats a good brand/style. I like the MT Baja Claw Radials BUt they are just to high priced!

 

[csbarr12]

well i have just a 4" suspension and i currently run 33x12.50x15 Kumho's, when i get new tires i will be upgrading to 35" Cooper (Best tire all round if you ask me) here is the site i am purchasing them from, should give you a good idea(Price and tread pattern) http://www.tires-easy.com/start.html

with a 4" suspension and 3" body you should be able to fit 37" on that, though i am not sure.

 

[rubberdust]

No doubt the 31X10.50R15 look small on the rig as that size fits easily with no lift at all. With the body lift you currently have running a 33X12.50R15 should work with no problems. Adding the suspension lift will make the 35s fit, however when turning near full lock they will rub on the frame (no big deal) reducing your turning radius & making a rude noise. You may be satisfied with the 35s without out a gear change but it will certainly make the rig a dog when you accelerate. Going to 37s you'll need gears & the rubbing on the frame will be worse & need a bit more lift.

As to the brand & style? of tires, I would suggest you give lots of thought to exactly what you want to do with the rig before you run out & buy something. If you are mostly concerned with how they look it's a bit easier & comes down to style & price. If you plan on actually using the rig put together a list of prioities you want to do before you start tire shopping that may end up costing you more when you buy the tires but greatly reduce the likelyhood of you having to live with something that doesn't work for you for your driving needs.

Everything a vehicle does is ultimately controled by the tires! GO, TURN, STOP, it's they only part of the vehicle that contacts the surface unless you've done something BAD.

 

[Rendezvous]

No doubt the 31X10.50R15 look small on the rig as that size fits easily with no lift at all. With the body lift you currently have running a 33X12.50R15 should work with no problems. Adding the suspension lift will make the 35s fit, however when turning near full lock they will rub on the frame (no big deal) reducing your turning radius & making a rude noise. You may be satisfied with the 35s without out a gear change but it will certainly make the rig a dog when you accelerate. Going to 37s you'll need gears & the rubbing on the frame will be worse & need a bit more lift.As to the brand & style? of tires, I would suggest you give lots of thought to exactly what you want to do with the rig before you run out & buy something. If you are mostly concerned with how they look it's a bit easier & comes down to style & price. If you plan on actually using the rig put together a list of prioities you want to do before you start tire shopping that may end up costing you more when you buy the tires but greatly reduce the likelyhood of you having to live with something that doesn't work for you for your driving needs.

Everything a vehicle does is ultimately controled by the tires! GO, TURN, STOP, it's they only part of the vehicle that contacts the surface unless you've done something BAD.

Yeah I have Kumho's on there now as well....This truck will be strictly a weekend warrior. I have an 03 Explorer with 22s that I will be pimping during the week $-) ...As far as what this truck will be used for: Like I said strictly a weekend warrior or 2nd vehicle. Of course wih the occasional mud encounter, but nothing crazy. Thats why I was thinkng some sort of mud/radial tire. I dont want anything crazy that I will only get like 15,000 miles out of. I want something that is a good price and is actually worth the money.

As far as lift goes, I am going to go with 4 inches. NOW, what brands do you reccomend? I see these rough and tuff country ones on ebay but I bet they arent worth it?

 

[csbarr12]

well the 4" on my Bronco i found out was a Rancho, and its pretty nice, though im not sure, i can try to research prices/ratings and stuff

as for tires, you should look at the Cooper Discoverers on the site i posted earlier, good price and not a bad tread pattern.

 

[rubberdust]

As far as brands go I've had Rancho lifts & shocks on a few vehicles & never been sorry that I spent a bit more to get them. I've had some experience with Skyjacker lifts & shocks as well with no problems, neither of these are what I would say are the least expensive.

My taste in tires runs on the high end price wise as I probably know way too much about tires for my own good having been in that industry for over 30 years. For a mud tire that has decent mileage & road manners it's hard to go wrong with a BFG Mud Terrain T/A or a Goodyear Wrangler MT/R, the Goodyear has bettter wet pavement traction, the BFG has an edge in the mud.

The Cooper & Pro Comp mud tires are ok & less expensive but will not perform at any level as well. The new Hankook mud tire isn't bad but not certain where it will end up mileage wise. Beyond the look & good size choices I haven't been a big fan of Mickey Thompson's, but you could do worse.