39x13.5x17 BFG KO3 & Stock Steering Rack & Tie Rod Thoughts

[Dgchurch]

Next week I'm putting new 39x13.5x17 BFG KO3 tires on. A few data points:

--The 39's weigh 77lbs
--Stock 37's weigh 65lbs
--Methods are 6lbs lighter per wheel than the stock I was running
--Net weight increase is +6lbs per tire/wheel set up
--Running Method bead grips with 0 offset

I'd like to know if anyone has this set up or something similar and has wheeled it hard (i.e. Rubicon style trails and dune running/jumping, etc...). If you have... any issues with the rack, tie rods, etc...?

I'm pretty sure I'll be fine on width given the 0 offset. I may put a collar on to account for height. Would love your experiences on those aspects as well.

Thank you all!

 

[TurboS]

Next week I'm putting new 39x13.5x17 BFG KO3 tires on. A few data points:

--The 39's weigh 77lbs
--Stock 37's weigh 65lbs
--Methods are 6lbs lighter per wheel than the stock I was running
--Net weight increase is +6lbs per tire/wheel set up
--Running Method bead grips with 0 offset

I'd like to know if anyone has this set up or something similar and has wheeled it hard (i.e. Rubicon style trails and dune running/jumping, etc...). If you have... any issues with the rack, tie rods, etc...?

I'm pretty sure I'll be fine on width given the 0 offset. I may put a collar on to account for height. Would love your experiences on those aspects as well.

Thank you all!

@Tye has been running the 39x13.5x17 BFG K02 tires for several years with +18 offset RTR wheels and collars. The +18 offset places the inside of the 39's in the same location as the stock 37's tires & wheels, which is ideal. I mentioned him here so hopefully he'll chime in for you.

The rack & tie rods is more about the drivers technique and finesse than the hardware, as we all know it's possible to break anything. Note the Ford Racing and RTR Bronco Raptor's are racing stock suspension & steering components... and maybe a spare tie rod. Also, the stock tie rods are engineered to break just before breaking the steering rack, so don't reinforce or upgrade the stock tie rods on a stock steering rack. If "you" should happen to break a tie rod just borrow @JohnGalt 's spare that he's hiding, he has everything, there must be an extra tie rod.

Your planned upgrade and setup should look really cool. Please share pictures!

Weak Bronco Tie Rods or Driver Error? | Chasing Dust - By Driving Line

By our very First BROTM winner, and our First BROTM repeat winner: @DesertChief Thank you Matt, your video's are always loaded with useful information, knowledge, experience, and very helpful tips. "By now, you’ve probably heard of the 2021+ Bronco’s steering woes. Perhaps you’ve even broken...

www.broncoraptor.com

 

[Chalula]

@Tye has been running the 39x13.5x17 BFG K02 tires for several years with +18 offset RTR wheels and collars. The +18 offset places the inside of the 39's in the same location as the stock 37's tires & wheels, which is ideal. I mentioned him here so hopefully he'll chime in for you.

The rack & tie rods is more about the drivers technique and finesse than the hardware, as we all know it's possible to break anything. Note the Ford Racing and RTR Bronco Raptor's are racing stock suspension & steering components... and maybe a spare tie rod. Also, the stock tie rods are engineered to break just before breaking the steering rack, so don't reinforce or upgrade the stock tie rods on a stock steering rack. If "you" should happen to break a tie rod just borrow @JohnGalt 's spare that he's hiding, he has everything, there must be an extra tie rod.

Your planned upgrade and setup should look really cool. Please share pictures!

Weak Bronco Tie Rods or Driver Error? | Chasing Dust - By Driving Line

By our very First BROTM winner, and our First BROTM repeat winner: @DesertChief Thank you Matt, your video's are always loaded with useful information, knowledge, experience, and very helpful tips. "By now, you’ve probably heard of the 2021+ Bronco’s steering woes. Perhaps you’ve even broken...

www.broncoraptor.com

I am also considering this setup. I was wondering what your experience was after the lift and tires. Do you feel just as confident at high speed?

Is there just less scraping on obstacles? I just got back from KOH and it was great in stock form through the desert. High speed whoops felt planted and under control. Now I have Moab, Baja and likely the Rubicon on the list of next events.

 

[Dgchurch]

@Tye has been running the 39x13.5x17 BFG K02 tires for several years with +18 offset RTR wheels and collars. The +18 offset places the inside of the 39's in the same location as the stock 37's tires & wheels, which is ideal. I mentioned him here so hopefully he'll chime in for you.

The rack & tie rods is more about the drivers technique and finesse than the hardware, as we all know it's possible to break anything. Note the Ford Racing and RTR Bronco Raptor's are racing stock suspension & steering components... and maybe a spare tie rod. Also, the stock tie rods are engineered to break just before breaking the steering rack, so don't reinforce or upgrade the stock tie rods on a stock steering rack. If "you" should happen to break a tie rod just borrow @JohnGalt 's spare that he's hiding, he has everything, there must be an extra tie rod.

Your planned upgrade and setup should look really cool. Please share pictures!

Weak Bronco Tie Rods or Driver Error? | Chasing Dust - By Driving Line

By our very First BROTM winner, and our First BROTM repeat winner: @DesertChief Thank you Matt, your video's are always loaded with useful information, knowledge, experience, and very helpful tips. "By now, you’ve probably heard of the 2021+ Bronco’s steering woes. Perhaps you’ve even broken...

www.broncoraptor.com

Thanks for the intel! I’ve got one of @johngalt’s tie rods in the back currently so should be set!

Any thoughts on bump stops or lifts? Appreciate it.

 

[Dgchurch]

I am also considering this setup. I was wondering what your experience was after the lift and tires. Do you feel just as confident at high speed? View attachment 17513Is there just less scraping on obstacles? I just got back from KOH and it was great in stock form through the desert. High speed whoops felt planted and under control. Now I have Moab, Baja and likely the Rubicon on the list of next events.

I’d recommend wheeling the heck out of it stock and decide what you want. I did the rubicon twice last year, desert ran it hard, etc… all stock. I really like the ko2 but want a D sidewall versus C sidewall and a little extra height will help me on some of the obstacles. That said the new set up will be heavier so I’ll lose some get up and go. I put a Procal tune on it so that’ll help a bit. Tradeoffs

 

[TurboS]

Thanks for the intel! I’ve got one of @johngalt’s tie rods in the back currently so should be set!

Any thoughts on bump stops or lifts? Appreciate it.

I think you’ll need a lift to prevent taking the fender flares off at full compression.