Aftermarket wheels for the Bronco Raptor

[Ape Factory]

Ok so LR has a higher load rating then. I noticed the LR designation but hadn't used my google-fu to discover what that meant exactly. New to the world of off-road tires.

If they're coming out with the LR-C, I'll wait til 2026. Not in need of new tires yet anyway although my new super commute may change that.

 

[Dgchurch44]

I'm more concerned with reducing weight than just buying wheels for looks. One of the Raptor sites had a good list of lightweight wheels going and I've included it below.

View attachment 32

This is great!

I'm starting to go down the wheel rabbit hole a bit. Would like to run a 0 to +6 offset or something in that range with the tire protruding a bit beyond the fender flare, with either a bead grip or street legal bead lock, with lighter weight than stock and with the same strength as stock/want to jump it and crawl it and not have issues.....

Tall order but I'm open to suggestions!! Thanks everyone.

 

[Ape Factory]

You'll definitely want a forged wheel. Substantially stronger than cast or flow formed. Those last two are cheap but not nearly as strong.

On weight, the tire will make the most difference since the weight of the tire is furthest from the center rotating point. You could, with a sensitive enough instrument, measure the acceleration increase with a lighter wheel (same tire) but you'll never notice the difference yourself, at least on the Raptor.

So assuming the stock beadlock wheels are 37 pounds, you'd end up saving, possibly, 20 pounds per wheel if you went with the BC Forged wheels. The monoblock wheels vary in weight depending on design, size and machining. Not an insignificant amount and it'll probably benefit most in the suspension compliance department since it's unsprung weight that the shocks have to control. They might exhibit a slightly better steering response as well.

 

[Dgchurch44]

You'll definitely want a forged wheel. Substantially stronger than cast or flow formed. Those last two are cheap but not nearly as strong.

On weight, the tire will make the most difference since the weight of the tire is furthest from the center rotating point. You could, with a sensitive enough instrument, measure the acceleration increase with a lighter wheel (same tire) but you'll never notice the difference yourself, at least on the Raptor.

So assuming the stock beadlock wheels are 37 pounds, you'd end up saving, possibly, 20 pounds per wheel if you went with the BC Forged wheels. The monoblock wheels vary in weight depending on design, size and machining. Not an insignificant amount and it'll probably benefit most in the suspension compliance department since it's unsprung weight that the shocks have to control. They might exhibit a slightly better steering response as well.

so... i bought method 705 bead grips. they are flow formed.... thoughts? are they jumpable?

 

[Ape Factory]

Flow formed are cast wheels where the barrel undergoes final shaping with a forging tool. Better than cast, less than a true forging. On being jumpable, I guess we'll find out?

 

[Dgchurch44]

Flow formed are cast wheels where the barrel undergoes final shaping with a forging tool. Better than cast, less than a true forging. On being jumpable, I guess we'll find out?

yes...................... we will! stay tuned!

 

[Splaktar]

I've got the Method 705s as well, with a chrome powder coat. I'll let you know if I get the chance to jump them...

 

[Dgchurch44]

I've got the Method 705s as well, with a chrome powder coat. I'll let you know if I get the chance to jump them...

ok so they passed the jump test. 15psi and 50mph and no problems..

 

[Dragoon]

ok so they passed the jump test. 15psi and 50mph and no problems..

Thank you for performing this test, for science, of course!

 

[Mdrums30]

I want new wheels for my 2026 Bronco Raptor. I have an oem stock gloss black cast wheel. Decided on Method bead grip wheels and probably 709HD with the removable rash ring.

I was considering the Icon Recon Pro 17x8.5 et6 but they are lug centric and not hub centric so they are off the table!!!!.

The Method 709 17x8.5 can be ordered as et0 offset or et25 offset. The 709HD also has the correct hub size at 87 so the wheel is hub centric. I see some here doing 0 offset but that is a big deviation over stock suspension geometry. Where et25 is only 9mm difference from stock and this won't mess with scrub radius too much. I do not want to rub and knock off a fender and I do not want to change the stock Bronco Raptor suspension. Pushing wheels out as far as 0 offset I worry about causing damage.

...maybe this instead......???? I also have a line on the Raptor headlock capable wheels that are an option on our Raptors for $800 new take off 10 miles on them. I like these wheels looks too and the price but I hear they are very heavy.

 

[JohnGalt4]

Icon Recon Pro is DEFINITELY hub centric with 87.1 bore for Bronco Raptor in a +6 offset, 6x135, 17x8.5” in Satin Black, possibly others. I have Rebound Pros with same specs. See attached pic.

It’s possible you’re looking at standard Bronco hub bore?

I have Rebound Pros Installed for about 3 years now. I Wheel extensively, and had them at single digit PSI on many occasions never lost a bead. In fact I hit a very big boulder in Mojave and broke a 2-3” chunk out of the rim bead (see pic), didn’t lose bead or leak. I then drove another 40 - 50 miles of trail and swapped in the spare at camp that night.

The Methods are light which is great, but Rebound Pros are almost as light and crazy light for the actual beadlocks.

If you wheel in rocks, the valve stem on the Rebounds is deeply inset, not sure about Recons. The Method beadgrips (which are also fine wheels) all have the valve stem very exposed to rock strikes.

I’ve got two friends I wheel with almost weekly running Method Bead grips, beside the valve stem issue, I’ve seen them lose a bead twice once on the end of an unseen log end in deep snow hitting the sidewall just right and once descending at the bottom of the Whale Bones on the Rubicon slipping off a rock in a full lock turn (it was extreme situation!). Their big advantage is they hold a bead really well AND a tire shop doesn’t charge extra for mounting.

So for the Recon Pros expect to pay $25-50/wheel for mounting. It’s a lot of shop time to remove and replace all those bead retention bolts. But the wheels are DOT legal so any shop will mount tires for you vs. standard bead locks.

Lastly with the +6 I’m running 38x13.5” tires without rubbing in very articulated situations if that’s of interest. Plus the +6 gives enough poke to keep my flares off the rocks, haven’t lost one…..yet.

P

 

[Mdrums30]

Those are 18" I need 17" in 8.5" width 6x135 with a 87.1 hub

Still looking at et0 and et25 ... again not wanting to deviate from Frod Bronco RAPTOR suspension specs to much and cause issues

 

[JohnGalt4]

Yikes, sorry I grabbed the Recon Pro specs too quickly. The Rebound Pros I have definitely come in 17x8.5, hub centric but they are +6. I’ve had zero issue with rubbing, flare contact and I’ve had mine airborne and fully flexed out on numerous occasions.

FWIW, Good luck with your decision!

 

[Mdrums30]

Yikes, sorry I grabbed the Recon Pro specs too quickly. The Rebound Pros I have definitely come in 17x8.5, hub centric but they are +6. I’ve had zero issue with rubbing, flare contact and I’ve had mine airborne and fully flexed out on numerous occasions.

FWIW, Good luck with your decision!


View attachment 18563

Well I missed that …twice somehow…so thanks for the correction! Cool… I’ll try to see some in person as pics don’t do these justice sometimes.

 

[Crayon Eater (IYKYK)]

So for those that can't leave a vehicle stock, what wheels are you considering for the Bronco Raptor?

Here are a few that are on my list:

RTR Wheels:

View attachment 30

Black Wheels:
View attachment 31

I don't know about weight but I love the Method 703's with Mickey Thompsons. You get the benefit of beadlock without the ring. I've run at 4 psi with zero issues.

 

[Mdrums30]

I don't know about weight but I love the Method 703's with Mickey Thompsons. You get the benefit of beadlock without the ring. I've run at 4 psi with zero issues.

What offset did you go with? Those come et25 and et0 like most Methods in this size for our Braptor. Thanks!

 

[Mdrums30]

I don't know about weight but I love the Method 703's with Mickey Thompsons. You get the benefit of beadlock without the ring. I've run at 4 psi with zero issues.

Also those are classic and will always be in style. I’m looking at the Method 709HD but I also keep going back to a simple classy wheel with the great benefit of bead grip like these 703’s.

 

[Motorpig47]

My buddy runs the 703's. They look good. I, too, am looking at the 709 HD's. Both are good style wheels. I like the idea of having a removable/replaceable ring. They are a few donuts lighter than the Braptor beadlock capable wheels. I think 36lbs vs. 34lbs for the Methods. 703's are even lighter.

 

[jeffreybehr]

'Last year's' Braptor.

https://www.elementwheels.com/weld-off-road-fulcrum-w118-gloss-black-machined?find=2024-ford-bronco-raptor-stock-height-w-37-tires-v11889#sel=208490&bp=6x135&bp_r=6x135

Here's this year's.

Both '24s.. I have only the HCP-red one.. Will have the 20" Welds on soon.

 

[Crayon Eater (IYKYK)]

I want new wheels for my 2026 Bronco Raptor. I have an oem stock gloss black cast wheel. Decided on Method bead grip wheels and probably 709HD with the removable rash ring.

I was considering the Icon Recon Pro 17x8.5 et6 but they are lug centric and not hub centric so they are off the table!!!!.

The Method 709 17x8.5 can be ordered as et0 offset or et25 offset. The 709HD also has the correct hub size at 87 so the wheel is hub centric. I see some here doing 0 offset but that is a big deviation over stock suspension geometry. Where et25 is only 9mm difference from stock and this won't mess with scrub radius too much. I do not want to rub and knock off a fender and I do not want to change the stock Bronco Raptor suspension. Pushing wheels out as far as 0 offset I worry about causing damage.

...maybe this instead......???? I also have a line on the Raptor headlock capable wheels that are an option on our Raptors for $800 new take off 10 miles on them. I like these wheels looks too and the price but I hear they are very heavy.

I have the Method bread grip wheels and I love them.