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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 07:18 PM
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Talking Biggest tire???

Whats the biggest tire I can run on a 1990 Bronco?? Everything is stock on this vehicle....just curious, I am in the market, and would like an aggressive looking tire.

Thank you all in advance!!
 
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 08:09 PM
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If memory serves, 32x11.50"s are about as big as you can go without major bind or rub on anything. You would need wider rims than the stock 15x7.5" to keep within maufacturer's recommendations for those tires though.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 12:11 PM
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I have ran 33 12.50 with only minor rubbing on the radius arms on tight turns. I will be putting them on the bronco I just bought.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 01:00 PM
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I recommend you to not go overboard wit tire size since a tire that fits fine on highway may have problems offroad; in addition, you'd also need to change gearing to keep the proper ratio. Once you out of the engine's optimal powerband, your mpg will drop; of course, an aggressive tread won't help with the mpg either.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by greystreak92
If memory serves, 32x11.50"s are about as big as you can go without major bind or rub on anything. You would need wider rims than the stock 15x7.5" to keep within maufacturer's recommendations for those tires though.
c'mon grey, "if memory serves?" You know that it is ingrained in your brain and you are itching to put that FAQ list up!

He's right though, you can squeeze 33's in there, 32's fit better but 31's are really the biggest that you should run. Even 31's will rub on the inside on a full lock turn, but they will never bottom out (I have 31's on my stock truck).

On the other hand, I've seen people squeeze 35's onto an unlifted truck. Definitely not recommended if you plan to actually drive the truck.

BTW - if you want an aggressive look on your stock truck, put 31's on it and get new rims with some offset. That will put the tires out a little bit and give it a real tough stance, without the expense and driveability issue of a lift. I plan to do this to my Bronco. Of course if you want to go high, then this won't help; but if you on a budget and if it is your daily driver and you want to keep the driveability, 31's on offset rims looks good.
 

Last edited by JBronco; Feb 24, 2005 at 03:44 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 04:28 PM
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I hear you can run 44"s on a stock '90
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by WheelMA1
I was feeling benevolent today. Oh yeah, and if your 4WD doesn't work get manual hubs.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JBronco
c'mon grey, "if memory serves?" You know that it is ingrained in your brain and you are itching to put that FAQ list up!
Ok, ok so it is....WheelMa1 tells me its just a matter of time now. But I did remember afte rposting that it was a 90 and the 92-96 body style which inherently gives a little more room to swing the front tires.

Aurgathor has a good point too in that just slapping larger tires under the truck without consideration to gearing will leave your Bronco in the dust when it comes to climbing hills and passing. Increasing tire diameter decreases the rpm's necessary to reach speed exponentially and you can quickly push your smallblock V8 out of its power band with tires that are too big for the gearing.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by greystreak92
Aurgathor has a good point too in that just slapping larger tires under the truck without consideration to gearing will leave your Bronco in the dust when it comes to climbing hills and passing. Increasing tire diameter decreases the rpm's necessary to reach speed exponentially and you can quickly push your smallblock V8 out of its power band with tires that are too big for the gearing.
True dat. Another reason why I run the 31's. They are almost equal in height to, if not equal to, the stock tires. But I think that my speedo is off a little bit, so they might be taller. If they are taller, it's not by much, and you won't feel a performance or gas mileage hit.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JBronco
On the other hand, I've seen people squeeze 35's onto an unlifted truck.
Was that truck a Bronco, or something bigger like an F250 or 350?

I'm not sure if that could be put on an unlifted/untrimmed Bronco at all, but even if it fits, steering could be seriously restricted by the body and suspension that would be on the way.

BTW, the OD of 31x10.5 are about 30.5" - 30.7" while 235/75R15's are only 28.8" - 29.0", so the former is a good 1.5" taller.
 

Last edited by aurgathor; Feb 24, 2005 at 06:26 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by aurgathor
Was that truck a Bronco, or something bigger like an F250 or 350?

I'm not sure if that could be put on an unlifted/untrimmed Bronco at all, but even if it fits, steering could be seriously restricted by the body and suspension that would be on the way.

BTW, the OD of 31x10.5 are about 30.5" - 30.7" while 235/75R15's are only 28.8" - 29.0", so the former is a good 1.5" taller.
I wasn't too sure about the difference between the stock tires and the 31's.
I think that mine came stock with 31's, I'll have to check the sticker. I held one of my tires next to the stock spare tire, and it seemed to be just about the same height. It's definitely not enough difference to bog down my motor in any case. I'll check the sticker next time I go out to verify what my truck had from the factory.

About the 35's, now that I think about it, it one was a stock 1980's Chevy 1/2 ton 2WD pickup. The guy had 35" tires all around. I used to work with him and he told me that they never rubbed. I've seen similar things on Broncos but I can't say for sure that they were 35's. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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