I need new tires, but how do I know what to get?

[Axykatt]

Hi guys!

So, not only am I new to this forum, but I'm also new to Bronco ownership. Until a couple months ago I was exclusively a motorcyclist, but then I got sick and couldn't bike to work, so a friend of mine gave me his late 90's Bronco. I have to admit, I love it! I don't think I'll be going back to the bike commute anytime soon, gas prices be damned! With that in mind, I need some advice about tires.

The tires on the Bronco right now are showing belts and need to be replaced, but the tire size is 33x12.5/15 and these babies are nearly impossible to find! I don't have the money for new tires, since they look to be running around $250 a piece at the few places I've found them, and I can't find them used anywhere. The axles have been modified for the over-sized tires, so I know they need to be big, but I'm hoping that there are more common tire sizes that will work. I don't know anything about tires in general because I always rode a motorcycle, so everything about 4-wheeled vehicles is a mystery to me!

So, my question is this, what other tire sizes should fit my Bronco? Do I have options, or am I stuck paying nearly what the truck is worth for new tires? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Axykatt

 

[DevilDog]

Usually the bigger tires cost about what the truck does now.

You could try to get a bigger rim with the same lug pattern, maybe a 16 or 17. I haven't looked at 17's so I don't know what used tires look like for them and what styles they have for them.

If you want to go ahead and buy tires that cost the same as your truck these are pretty good. The Mud Grapplers especially. Here's a link for the sizes incase you want to go with a bigger rim, though they still come in 15's.

If you're going to have it as more of a daily driver, then you don't need the most aggresive tire out there, but if you'll be out on the trail alot I'd recommend going with a new set. I reccommend this because usually used off road tires either have very little tread or some other kind of defect on them, which isn't something you want while out 100 miles from civilization without a cellphone and can't get a tow.