38s
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
The largest recommended tires for the 1/2 ton axles under the Bronco are 35-36's. You go bigger and the unsprung weight of the tires will start chewing up driveline and suspension components in a hurry. Basically, ditto to what masseysbronco already said.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Both masseysbronco and greystreak92 are right. Either consider a SAS D60 or plan smaller. A solid axle D60 can handle 44s without much of a problem. If you can't get a D60 then you might want to think about a solid axle D44 w/chromoly 35 spline inner and outer axle shafts and some strong u joints, and you'd be good to go.
I'm running 36.8" tires and wheel often(in mud) on a stock solid axle D44, but any bigger and any other terrain(like rocks), it'd be really smart to upgrade strength.
If you just want it for show, then yeah 38s will work, but even on the road on a TTB D44 you'll start chewing through ball and rag joints quickly.
I'm running 36.8" tires and wheel often(in mud) on a stock solid axle D44, but any bigger and any other terrain(like rocks), it'd be really smart to upgrade strength.
If you just want it for show, then yeah 38s will work, but even on the road on a TTB D44 you'll start chewing through ball and rag joints quickly.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Cameron, OK
Re-Gear too... 3.55's and 38's don't get along. You'll need to go low... I would say atleast a 4.88 gear ratio or you won't have any power... if you have O.D. maybe even a 5.13 ...
D44 SAS swap in the front and a well built 9" in the rear will get you through most terrain... but not rocks. If you want to go crawling you better find some heavier axles... 6" susp. lift and 3" body lift should give you plenty of clearance though. Just be ready for some of this...
I've mudded mine with the stock TTB and 3.55 gears and it does well, but I have to use 4-low a lot... I'm doing the 9" and SAS swap as soon as find a donor D44 SA.
D44 SAS swap in the front and a well built 9" in the rear will get you through most terrain... but not rocks. If you want to go crawling you better find some heavier axles... 6" susp. lift and 3" body lift should give you plenty of clearance though. Just be ready for some of this...
I've mudded mine with the stock TTB and 3.55 gears and it does well, but I have to use 4-low a lot... I'm doing the 9" and SAS swap as soon as find a donor D44 SA.
Last edited by Johnboy_BoomerSooner; Mar 9, 2006 at 03:17 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1
I have been running 38S for fifteen years. some hard wheeling. I changed gears (456s and 488s) I also put a full floating rear axle kit in and lockers. the only problem is ocational front axle u-joint. I recomend cut out flares instead of body lift. (you still need the axle lift)
