Thoughts on Rock Crawling and 39 to 40 inch tires and bead locks

[pkdrew]

I’ve got a 2024 Bronco Raptor that I wheel pretty seriously. I’ve upgraded the Steering rods (FMI) and the steering rack (BroncBuster steering rack upgrade kit) and have lifted it with the Eibach Pro Bronco Raptor Lift. Also have completely armored the underside with Next Venture Motorsports. I’m running 12.50x37x17 Baja Boss M/T on Icon Rebound Pro rims (the ones with pins behind the bead).

However, I’m still pushing the limits on this rig and headed to some serious rock crawling ventures including the Rubicon. I trailer the bronco out and back so not concerned with Street Legality but I don’t want to end up destroying some other suspension part because I’ve pushed it to far.

What I’m now considering is putting true Bead Locks from KMC with more offset on the rig and either 39x13.5x17 KM3 tires or maybe even 40x13.50x17 Baja pro tires. Any thoughts or experience on whether the CV and outer axles can handle this? The only steering rack issues I’ve experienced on my current setup so far was some overheating on some hard core trails in the Palo Duro Canyon in Texas last summer. Once it cooled off it was fine.

I just need a bit more tire clearance and a bit more room for my fenders on canyons with extreme off camber and rocks/walls next to me. I’ve already ripped done drivers fenders off once.

Thanks in advance for any experience and input here.

 

[timhutch]

Hi, I have a similar setup on my 2023 BRaptor. Same Eibach springs, Next Venture Motorsports sliders and skids and the 74Weld steering rack with the FSI tie rods. I also wheel mine pretty hard and have been very glad for the addition of an upgraded rear bumper. I went with the ADD Bomber rear bumper and I'm very happy with it. I enjoy wheeling at Sand Hollow park in Utah and many of those obstacles have steep descents with vertical drops that are guaranteed to destroy the factory rear bumper. I'm currently on 39" Goodrich KM3's and have no clearance issues. I use about 15 psi when wheeling hard trails with the Method Wheels internal bead securing ribs. My main issue so far on hard trails is the steering. Once the front locker is engaged, and your on any type of difficult terrain, it becomes almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I've had to really limit using that locker unless it's absolutely necessary. And then I have to figure out how to make the turn at the top that many of the obstacles require. I asked PSC Motorsports if they had any plans to make a hydro assist system for the Broncos with our IFS front suspension and they said it was something they were looking at and it was "currently on the whiteboard". If they ever do offer one, I think I would want to be near the front of the line to get one. I'm also planning to do the Rubicon and if you ever find yourself in southern CA send me a message and I'll be happy to take you on some of the local trails!

 

[95BK9]

Tim I am looking into the Mud Terrain T/A KM339 X13.50R17
I have the 7x8.5 rims Beadlock capable. I know I will have to lift the braptor.

two questions:
1) did you keep your stock rims?
2) any clearance problem for the 39" spare? on the old or new bumper.

 

[timhutch]

I went with the Method 703 Raw Machined MR70378516300 rim. I liked the raw aluminum look since anything with paint or powder coat really shows the scratches and scars. Also the internal locking ribs for the bead are legal for the street here in CA. The 39" spare did require a kit to extend the center brake light higher so it remained visible.

 

[95BK9]

Thanks, it looks sharp. What size rims did you use?

 

[timhutch]

Pretty sure there 17"x8.5". They've stood up very well to all my abuse for the last six months!

 

[Shelby392R]

I've checked out the eibachs. From things I have read being they lift 2.6" some folks have destroyed their lower control arms because the valving doesnt align with after market shocks and it deadblows the FOX shocks. But I also know that is from folks going balls to the wall jumping. So i havent completely lost interest in doing this myself and imagine it would be ok crawling around. How does it ride in the different modes, surely it is harder even in baja?

 

[95BK9]

How are the wheels for cleaning ?,
The OEM Beadlocks are difficult to clean.Also they are easy to nick up off road.

 

[timhutch]

I havent had any problems with the suspension so far and I've had the springs installed for about 6 months. I have modified my truck to make it better at rock crawling and do not do much of the high speed Baja style stuff. It's very difficult to describe how the spring change affected the ride of the truck since I did several things at once. The springs added about 2.75" up front and 1.5" in the back (love the new leveled look) and the tire change added another inch to the ride height for a total gain up front measured at 3.5" and 1.75" in the rear. If anything, the ride is a little softer now, but the truck does not handle as well on pavement. With the CG raised way up like that and the switch to a mud terrain tire it just does not turn or stop as well on pavement as it did stock. For me this was an acceptable trade off since I gained a ton of capability on very hard trails which was what I wanted. I've done a bunch of trails at Sand Hollow state park and most of them end with a high speed blast back to the staging area on the dunes. I have found myself slightly in the air after topping a steep dune with a little too much speed. So far no damage!

To 95BK9, these wheels are MUCH easier to clean. If you look at the picture you'll see that they are a much simpler design than OEM without all the fake beadlock ring stuff.

 

[timhutch]

I love my truck!