Most people have told me that a 33 is the largest tire size you can put on a '79 Bronco with no lift. What about 35s with some sheet metal cutting? I have 31s on a Bronco now, and it looks like there is tons of room around the rear wheel, but I could imagine that anything bigger than a 33 would crowd the front. Exactly how much cutting would I have to do to fit the larger tires (if its possible)? Also.... how much of a lift would it need to fit the bigger tires with no body modification?

sean

 

Do you really want to start hacking up the body like that? What kind of condition is it in to where you would want to start cutting the wheel wells out for bigger tires? Maybe a body lift would work if a suspension is out of the question. I did some stuff like this to my 78 f-150 but not with the exterior. Now I am regreting it and want to get it back to the way it was. It just falls under that saying that says do it right the first time.

People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

 

The body isn't too bad. How much of a body lift would I need to fit 35s?

 

I run 35's on my '79 with a 4" suspension lift, but I've had as much as 14x36.5x15's with no rubbing.

A 3" body lift will clear, but you'll have to lenghten the shift linkage, ans transfer case shifter, lower the radiator, and probably have to modify the steering shaft. Most body lift kits do not come with hardware or instructions to accomplish this.

BFM

 

well look in the august FOUR WHEELER. they cut to stuff 36's. cutting it really depends on if you want a pretty truck or a truck you can wheel like you want to, without rubbing tires that may have cost more than the truck initially. i only paid $900 for my rusty but start every time stop on a dime 79. now i have since done some stuff to it. but cut it up if its rusted by all means, there are lotsa f150's to get your wheel arches from if you want them back. but since you were trying to fit a certain size tire, i guess thats what your goal is. so you may have to cut a bit, are you willing? as for body lifts, i agree with the previous poster about body lifts, anything above 1" and i think you have to move more than the $68 cost of the body lift implies. good luck, AXE

 

Or for that matter, you could go with Bushwacker cut out flares. That way you'd have plenty of room, and not look all hacked up. I think they run about $150 per pair.

BFM

 

To fit 35's with no lift you will have to cut about 2"-3". I found some carpet edges at Home Depot for real cheap. It fits perfect on the cut metal. I wanted to keep my tires in the wheel well and most cut out fender flares are 2"-4" wide. Looks like crap with 12.50' tires. The carpet edges (for lack of a better name) stick out about 1/2". I think you should go with a 2" lift and then cut. It is cheap and will perform better. either way it all possible.

 

Thanks for all the replies. This Bronco isn't rust free, but it's not too bad. It came with tiny worn-out tires and I'm looking to replace them - but since I don't want to spend a ton of money, I'm trying to find used tires. Cutting this truck up isn't something I'm anxious to do, but I thought I had a line on some used 35s. I'll keep looking for 33s (no lift, no cutting), but I'm definitely going to Home Depot to look at these carpet edge things. --sean

 

My '79 is in great shape and is still going to get cut for bigger tires. I've seen trucks running 44's with 6" lifts or less. I really don't understand this phobia people have about cutting sheetmetal. It's quicker, cheaper, and easier than any kind of lift.

 

my 79 has 4 inch lift and 37 x13 boggers on it.
a 4 inch lift is more than plenty.
my friend has 2.5 inch lift and 35's

 

Just something to think about, I had 35's on my 79 Bronco with stock 3.50 gears. I had a C6 and had changed the camshaft, intake & put on a 625 carter with a jumbo K&N air cleaner. I really didn't like the loss of power from the stock gears(although it was great on the highway, no problem passing people then). So take into account the price of new gears with 35's.