Lots of ideas, need to pick a direction!

[broncojam]

say I have 2 to 2-1/2 inches of lift, 1" body lift and stock width front axle. How large of tire can I use before rubbing the frame?

I currently have some 35 inch tires I have not installed yet. I am also in the middle of planning a front axle build and have been waffling all over the place on what to do. I think I have my heart set on a 9" center with custom outers like spidertrax fabricated stuff. I was thinking that at some point in the future I may want to go to larger tires and don't want to possibly limit myself by building a stock width axle. I am going three link in the front and want to keep the lift to a minimum and the tires tucked in. I an using Dan Wheeler's build as a gauge. I like the height but would like my tires to be closer to the body. I am still in the tearing apart stage so anything is possible at this point. Thanks for any advice.

 

[sprdv1]

With your current lift, I wouldn't go larger than 35s. Gotta consider your gearing too, if that will need to be changed with the move to bigger tires.

You can always cut more too for more room

good luck

 

[broncojam]

I have a 435/205 in the bronco and am planning on 4:88 gears with the idea that I could move up to larger tires.

 

[Whoaa]

I have a 435/205 in the bronco and am planning on 4:88 gears with the idea that I could move up to larger tires.

35" tires are the largest & best practical size for a Bronco driven on the road and off road. Regardless of gear ratio, which is only one factor to consider.

The difference between 35's and 37's is huge, and include things like; suspension and body lift, a strong engine making enough power, strong transmission w/ enough forward gears to be useful for the diameter of the tires, extra trimming and cutting of the inner fender sheet metal, long travel suspension so the large tires are can actually be used, added stress on the entire drivetrain, major Caster issues to deal with on the front end caused by using suspension lift large enough to clear the tires, new rear leaf spring pads or at minimum shims to correct the pinion angle, new custom drivehsafts front and rear, proper/custom wheels with the right back spacing to keep a decent turning radius, then there is the whole stability issue by making a Bronco too tall for practical use, and the list goes on......

I choose 37" rubber and in hindsight, and knowing what I know now I would have went with 35's. At some point in the future when I buy tires again they will be 35's.

 

[DirtDonk]

You won't rub the frame normally because the front radius arms are in the way first. Any tire over a 31x10.50 will rub the radius arms no matter what lift you use. It's the wheels and their offset/backspacing specs that determine where and when a tire will rub in a Bronco.
And while cutting the fenders and lifting it higher will increase the distance before rubbing on the body panels, the wheel choice is still critical.

So lift clears the body, but only axle width, wheel width and offset clear the other components.
Yes, you can adjust/modify the steering stops to help you with rubbing the radius arms, but whether rubbing or limiting before the rub, you loose the ability to turn sharply around corners.
The larger the tire you use, without compensating with outward extension (wider axles, wider wheels, wheel spacers, etc), the worse your turning ability will be.
The aftermarket radius arms with bends/kinks for tire clearance will help there no matter what the lift and tire size.

In the rear, the same applies sort of, but there is a compromise between rubbing the inner wheel house/tub/well and the outer edge/flare of the cut rear fender.

Paul

 

[jmangi62]

Love the look of those BFG 37s,Awesome!

 

[broncojam]

Thanks for the insight DirtDonk. Always appreciated. I plan on building a custom 3 link. I am beginning to understand the limitations of the bronco frame and narrow track. Looks like some time on the garge floor is needed to really understand where things are going to hit.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep, tape-measure time before hammer-time!!!!;D

Paul

 

[broncojam]

Whoaa thanks for the input. First off awesome bronco! I love the 37 on it I wouldn't change it. To address most of your points I will be building custom suspension and using custom axles. I like the look of the tires under the bronco and want to keep everything as narrow as I can while still being practical for the anticipated tire sizes. Doesn't make much sense to have large tires that you can't turn left or right with.