hi everyone, if anyone can offer some info about the right tire and rim size... i have a 89 full size , 3 body lift , 4 susp. lift, and a set of 36.5x14x15 tires and 15x10 rims....i want to change them to 36x15.50x15 on 15x12 ...some dealers suggested this would work while others said i should go with 15x10 rims...wtih a backspacing of 4 1/2, others say 3 5/8....does anyone have a suggestions...or how can i find out the right dealers to talk to
what are the right size tires and rims
- Thread starter harry
- Start date
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Welcome to Bronco Zone!!!
You can check with any of the major tire manufacturers' websites, and see a chart for the minimum rim width for the size of tire you want to use. From my experience, a 12.50" to 14.50" width tire will fit on a 10" wide rim, but you need a 12" or more wide rim for anything above 14.50". I had better luck with a 15"x15" rim for a large offroad tire like a 40x17.50R15 Gumbo Mudder or Ground Hawg.
The reason for having a wide enough rim is to reduce the risk of popping the bead off of the rim. If you were to run a 36x15.50R15 tire on a 10" rim, you have a much greater chance of that happening than with a 12" or wider rim. You also have somewhat better sidewall protection as you go wider with the rim.
With the amount of lift you have on the Bronco (3"+4"), anything wider than a 12.50 tire will rub on the radius arms when the steering wheel is turned al the way to one side, limiting your turning ability. The less backspacing the wheel has, like less than 4", the more you will be able to turn the steering wheel before contact.
The added weight of a 36x14.50 or larger tire will put alot of strain on the balljoints, wheel bearing and axle shafts, ujoints, etc. Maybe O.K. for a show rig, but expect some damage if you offroad much at all. My $0.02, good luck with your project!!!
You can check with any of the major tire manufacturers' websites, and see a chart for the minimum rim width for the size of tire you want to use. From my experience, a 12.50" to 14.50" width tire will fit on a 10" wide rim, but you need a 12" or more wide rim for anything above 14.50". I had better luck with a 15"x15" rim for a large offroad tire like a 40x17.50R15 Gumbo Mudder or Ground Hawg.
The reason for having a wide enough rim is to reduce the risk of popping the bead off of the rim. If you were to run a 36x15.50R15 tire on a 10" rim, you have a much greater chance of that happening than with a 12" or wider rim. You also have somewhat better sidewall protection as you go wider with the rim.
With the amount of lift you have on the Bronco (3"+4"), anything wider than a 12.50 tire will rub on the radius arms when the steering wheel is turned al the way to one side, limiting your turning ability. The less backspacing the wheel has, like less than 4", the more you will be able to turn the steering wheel before contact.
The added weight of a 36x14.50 or larger tire will put alot of strain on the balljoints, wheel bearing and axle shafts, ujoints, etc. Maybe O.K. for a show rig, but expect some damage if you offroad much at all. My $0.02, good luck with your project!!!
Even with the 3-1/2" or 3-5/8" backspacing on my rims, and the extended radius arms that are indented or made with relief toward the inside, my 35x12.50's will rub the arms at full lock or when the steering wheel is turned all the way to either side. I stil have about 90-95% turning radius, but you may have much less with stock radius arms and wider tires.
wrachet
New member
Welcome to the Zone!
This is a great place for finding the information you need!
Colleen
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This is a great place for finding the information you need!
Colleen
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