2021-2026 Ford Bronco Tire Spec & Lift Kit Starting Point
Posted by Sean Reyes on
Ford Bronco Tire Fitment Guide
So how much meat can you cram in there? Here's what actually fits, and what it takes to get there.
Factory Specifications
| Model | Height | Tire Size | Track Width | Suspension Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bend | 72.9" | 32.1" | 65" | F: 7.9" / R: 9.8" |
| Badlands | 73.8" | 32.7" | 65" | F: 8.75" / R: 10.2" |
| Sasquatch | 75.2" | 34.4" | 66.9" | F: 8.35" / R: 9.8" |
| Wildtrak | Not listed | 34.4" | 66.9" | F: 8.35" / R: 9.8" |
Here's the stack-up in plain terms, pulled straight from Ford's MicroCat parts catalog: Big Bend rides at 72.9" on a 32.1" tire. Badlands sits 0.6" taller at 73.8" on a 32.7" tire — that's the HOSS suspension lift over base. Sasquatch goes further, landing at 75.2" on a 34.4" tire — 0.55" taller than Badlands, or 1.15" over the base Bronco, with about 10mm less bump travel to show for it.
Shocks and struts are interchangeable terms here — the Bronco runs struts on all four corners, and a strut is technically a shock (or damper). Same part, different name, and it all applies to the suspension breakdown below.
Final Thoughts
The switch to independent front suspension rubbed some purists the wrong way — plenty of them were attached to the capability the old solid axle delivered. Ford answered with a handful of features built to close that gap:
- Electronic sway bar disconnect
- Coil-over struts on all four corners
- 8.75" of front travel, 10.2" in the rear
- RTI score of 620 (Ramp Travel Index — the "flex score" for rock crawling, where 1,000 is a perfect run)
How Does the Bilstein HOSS Compare?
Every Badlands, Wildtrak, and Sasquatch package comes with Bilstein's HOSS dampers, which trade a bit more compliance off-road at moderate speed for tighter handling on the road. The system also nets a little extra lift height and ground clearance over base Bronco models, along with a touch more usable wheel travel.
Inside the HOSS shocks, Bilstein's ESCV technology adds springs that slow and stop the piston as it nears full compression or extension — preventing harsh top-out and bottom-out under extreme suspension loads.
Tire Fitment Under the Fender
Ford offers two flare options, but the fender opening itself is identical across every trim. That means the flares — or lack of them — are the only real variable standing between you and clearance.
| Tire Size | Standard Suspension / Base FlaresBase, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Black Diamond | HOSS / Base FlaresBadlands | HOSS High Ride / High Rise FlaresSasquatch, First Edition, Wildtrak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Tire Size |
Base: 255/70R16 (30.1"×10.0") Big Bend: 255/75R17 (32.1"×10.0") Outer Banks: 255/70R18 (32.1"×10") Black Diamond: 265/70R17 (31.6"×10.4") |
285/70R17 (32.7"×11.2") | 315/70R17 (34.4"×12.4") |
| Fitting 33s |
Min. lift: 0.6" Wheel: 8" width, ET55 or lower / 8.5" width, ET35 or lower Fender mod: none |
Stock fitment | N/A — already exceeds stock size |
| Fitting 35s |
Min. lift: 1.15" Wheel: 8.5" width, ET35 or lower Fender mod: none |
Min. lift: 0.55" Wheel: 8.5" width, ET35 or lower Fender mod: none |
Stock fitment |
| Fitting 37s |
Min. lift: 3" Wheel: 8.5" width, ET35 or lower Fender mod: aftermarket flares, trimming, or flare removal required |
Min. lift: 2.5" Wheel: 8.5" width, ET35 or lower Fender mod: aftermarket flares, trimming, or flare removal required |
Min. lift: 2" Wheel: 8.5" width, ET35 or lower — stock wheels okay Fender mod: some trimming, flare removal, or aftermarket flares may be required |
| Tire Size | What It Takes |
|---|---|
| 33x11.5 / 285/70/17 | Fits any trim below Badlands on an 8" wheel (+55mm or lower) or 8.5" wheel (+35mm or lower). Run 0.6" of lift to be safe. |
| 35x12.5 / 315/70/17 | Base needs ~1.15" of lift, Badlands needs ~0.55". A 17x8.5 +35mm wheel with minor bump stop spacing gets you there. |
| 37x12.5 | ~3" lift on Base, ~2.5" on Badlands, ~2" on Sasquatch. Expect some fender trimming, though a few companies claim fitment on Sasquatch flares at just 2". |
| 37x13.5 / 39" | Possible with a low-offset wheel (0mm) and the right lift, but plan on cutting or replacing the fenders. |
Lifting Your Bronco — What You Actually Need
All four corners run coilovers from the factory, which makes lifting straightforward — until geometry and drivetrain angles become the limiting factor.
| Trim | Front — UCA Recommended Past | Front — Max Lift on Stock Crossmember |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 2.5" | 3.5" |
| Badlands | 2" | 3" |
| Sasquatch | 1.25" | 2.25"–2.5" |
| Trim | Rear — Lift Before Needing a Track/Panhard Bar |
|---|---|
| Base | ~2" |
| Badlands | ~1.5" |
| Sasquatch | ~1" |
Correct pinion angle with an upper or lower rear control arm any time you're running coilovers capable of taller lifts — even if the lift you're actually installing is minimal. Protect that driveline at full droop. 3.5"–4" of rear lift is doable with the right arms, though you'll likely need a track bar drop bracket at that point.
