Hey all, I have my '86 bronco all lifted now, still running stock 3.73s, and I don't plan on changing the gearing. It runs great on the freeway and is a breeze to take off.
Anyhow, through my work, I can get cheap 38x15.50-15 Nitto Mud Grapplers. I would love to throw them under my Bronco, but I don't want to destroy my front end. I think I might be okay, because I only do slow speed rock crawling, and careful road driving with it. I'll never abuse it at speeds above 2 mph.
So, would my ttb stand up to them? If not, is there a way I can reinforce it? I would do a D60, but don't have the money for a welder, don't have experience with axle swaps, and don't have $1000 for a D60 anyway.
Thanks in advance

 

You can certainly run the 38s. But running those gears you will be lucky to get out of your own way. And most likely the tranny wont last long. The TTB is probably the last thing that will tear up.

 

yes you will tear up the front end, sorry but that wide of tire will wear out the ball joints and tie rods quick not to mention the stress on the bearings. also those gears will not provide good hwy or city driving manners, tranny will over work as will the motor pushing them If your running an 5.0/AOD setup which you didnt specify your broncos setup in that regard.

I am running 35's 4.88's and a front locker and have torn thru the front ujoints already once.

 

What does TTB stand for? Ya I know what it is.
I just don't know what TTB stands for.

 

I'm running a 5.0 EFI with a 4 speed no overdrive manual. With the 3.73s, Ive run sizes from 235x75-15 to my current 35x12.50-15s. Incredibly surprisingly, it drives better the bigger my tires have gotten. I'm sure it won't ride as great with 38s, but considering the difference in diameter is half that of my 235s to my 35s, I am not worried about highway or taking off. It must just be my tranny, but that thing is incredible. I still only ever use 2nd, 3rd and 4th, even on hills, and even got up to 106.25 MPH on flat freeway. (GPS monitored)

Do you think it'll chew up my tranny, even though its a stick? Is there heavy duty ball joints I can use? Maybe spindles off a junk f350?
Tie rods from an f250? I'd really like to make this work.
Thank you all for your help

 

38" tires on a TTB..........it's going to matter on what kind of driving you're going to be doing. A friend down here has an early 80's Bronco with 44's. He drives it everywhere...camping, hunting, trail riding and to the store! BUT....once a year, almost religiously... he has to get the front end rebuilt.....bushings to bearings. Granted, 44's are hard on everything!! He's just got a stock 302 with headers on it and auto transmission. It's a pig, but it's faithful! He's been putting around in that Bronco for years.
That being said...to answer your question.....yes, the TTB will hold 38's. But know parts will wear faster!

 

TTBs are ok for 35" tires but anything over...you better go ONE TON.

 

TTB= Twin traction beam, and yes those 38's will tear up that ttb unless you beef it up.. Also make yourself a maintenance schedule for your bearings/ball joints/ steering/ bushings.. Also id keep some spare shafts with me on the trail.

 

In my own personal experience, open diff D44s can hold up to skinny 38s for a very limited amount of time if you are extremely easy on them. I can't imagine wide 38s holding up to anything other then strictly street queen use.