Questions for owners of SAS on 37s

Thank you for your post! We're running Ford's OEM 35s on our '23 WT, 3.0 HOSS. We had GREAT fun on our first season on 8 off roading adventures here in Colorado. Most of these were popular high mountain trails up to 12,000+ft, where October's deep snow pack eventually turned us around. We're looking forward to next year's big mountain off roading opportunities!!

Your post's mention of 37s reminded me that a lot, if not most of the Jeepers we met on these high rocky mtn trails are running 37s - Usually Nitto Ridge Grappler 37s, obviously a popular set up here.

So far, we've not had trail clearances issues we couldn't simply drive around with our 35s. Actually, I'm more concerned with airing down on Ford's light 2-ply sidewalk tires, because our very rocky trails here luv to puncture light weight tires, but I digress..

When thinking of bigger, heavier 37 tires and Bronco OEM's steering & front suspension, am wondering how to mitigate heavier wheel/tires with steering & suspension components - Steering rack, bushing, end assembly, tie rods, etc. Heck, we also think about future bumper & winch upgrades and that added weight & related spring upgrades - All gets complicated!!

This winter, we're running Nokian's fine winter studded snow tires - They;re GREAT!! Am sure we'll get another season on Ford's Goodyears, and after that, perhaps set of lighter Method wheels to offset heavier 3-ply sidewall off-roading tires .. Wonder if 35s are high enough though??

Cheers

Kenneth

Thank you for your post! We're running Ford's OEM 35s on our '23 WT, 3.0 HOSS. We had GREAT fun on our first season on 8 off roading adventures here in Colorado. Most of these were popular high mountain trails up to 12,000+ft, where October's deep snow pack eventually turned us around. We're looking forward to next year's big mountain off roading opportunities!!

Your post's mention of 37s reminded me that a lot, if not most of the Jeepers we met on these high rocky mtn trails are running 37s - Usually Nitto Ridge Grappler 37s, obviously a popular set up here.

So far, we've not had trail clearances issues we couldn't simply drive around with our 35s. Actually, I'm more concerned with airing down on Ford's light 2-ply sidewalk tires, because our very rocky trails here luv to puncture light weight tires, but I digress..

When thinking of bigger, heavier 37 tires and Bronco OEM's steering & front suspension, am wondering how to mitigate heavier wheel/tires with steering & suspension components - Steering rack, bushing, end assembly, tie rods, etc. Heck, we also think about future bumper & winch upgrades and that added weight & related spring upgrades - All gets complicated!!

This winter, we're running Nokian's fine winter studded snow tires - They;re GREAT!! Am sure we'll get another season on Ford's Goodyears, and after that, perhaps set of lighter Method wheels to offset heavier 3-ply sidewall off-roading tires .. Wonder if 35s are high enough though??

Cheers

Hey Kenneth,
I hear ya on the Goodyears OEM "35s". I also keep thinking if 37s with an upgraded suspension would be worth it. Or am I just better off on 35s ( Love the "Robin's egg blue" of your WT )

We did the GRT Offfroad perch collar lift kit on the Bronco Nation GPW green Bronco ('21 WT), 37" BFG KO2s, and Fifteen52 Analog HD wheels.
The ride changed to slightly stiffer as expected, but nothing too different from stock HOSS 2.0.
It got the job done and the modification has held up fine even with a moderate amount of wheeling on difficult trails, but if it were my own vehicle, I'd choose coilovers to upgrade the shocks while strengthening other components as well.

What are you after with yours? Clearance, aesthetics?

Hello Laura,
Thank you, for the information. I have looked at the perch collars but like you said, I would update to the coilovers with possible King shocks and some steering components upgrades. Definitely heavier springs, I am after the clearance. How much did the clearance gain with the collars? I absolutely love the way it rides stock so looking for something not so stiff.

Mobius 1

Hello Laura,
Thank you, for the information. I have looked at the perch collars but like you said, I would update to the coilovers with possible King shocks and some steering components upgrades. Definitely heavier springs, I am after the clearance. How much did the clearance gain with the collars? I absolutely love the way it rides stock so looking for something not so stiff.

ANY... suspension lift will raise the belly skids but NONE will lift the rear differential, lower shock mounts or lower trailing arm mounts. There is only two ways to raise those above the ground. 1) larger tires 2) portals.

So lets say you put a two inch suspension lift on but run with the same tires, You raise the belly skids by two inches but the rear axle has not moved. Differential housing, axle housing, shock mounts, trailing arm mounts are all in the same place. (Do not know how much you know here...so... It is all the stuff you see down low from the back of the rig. Now since you lifted the suspension 2 inches you can put 37s on in place of the 35s... That raises the differential housing, axle housing, shock mounts, trailing arm mounts 1 inch. ... because it is the radius of the tire that raises the axle.... Your ride height would be 3 inches higher though but your clearance has only increased 1 inch at the lowest points. BUT it does raise all those skid pans 3 inches as well.

Unicorn

ANY... suspension lift will raise the belly skids but NONE will lift the rear differential, lower shock mounts or lower trailing arm mounts. There is only two ways to raise those above the ground. 1) larger tires 2) portals.

So lets say you put a two inch suspension lift on but run with the same tires, You raise the belly skids by two inches but the rear axle has not moved. Differential housing, axle housing, shock mounts, trailing arm mounts are all in the same place. (Do not know how much you know here...so... It is all the stuff you see down low from the back of the rig. Now since you lifted the suspension 2 inches you can put 37s on in place of the 35s... That raises the differential housing, axle housing, shock mounts, trailing arm mounts 1 inch. ... because it is the radius of the tire that raises the axle.... Your ride height would be 3 inches higher though but your clearance has only increased 1 inch at the lowest points. BUT it does raise all those skid pans 3 inches as well.

Unicorn,
Thanks for the Intel, I have seen the rear shocks and trailing arm mounts scrape .... Not a lot but enough for the "but clinch effect" (lol) and I am looking for that not to occur as often. However, I'm not sure if that 1 inch will do the trick.
Thanks for the info, that is along the lines of what I was looking for. I know enough to get me into trouble..

Mobius 1

Unicorn,
Thanks for the Intel, I have seen the rear shocks and trailing arm mounts scrape .... Not a lot but enough for the "but clinch effect" (lol) and I am looking for that not to occur as often. However, I'm not sure if that 1 inch will do the trick.
Thanks for the info, that is along the lines of what I was looking for. I know enough to get me into trouble..

You would be amazed at what that little bit will do for you.... It is also the "relatively affordable" option. There are several ways to attain this kind of lift. Some more expensive, some less. They all have their pros and cons. Some of the options you can actually improve ride while lifting... Now the question is do you want to improve the ride while on the road or improve the ride while off the road. They are actually two different approaches in spring rates and shock valving.

Personally I will be getting armor for those locations. No matter how high I go (and I am going way up) I know those are my most vulnerable locations and I am going to protect them the best that I can.

Here in about a month this should be my rear shock clearance. And yes I think those still need armor.

This is a fantastic and educational feed. I'm not unhappy with my 35's (2dr Wildtrak) with the exception of wanting some MT Baja Boss A/T's. The armor is what I'm getting, shock skids, bought the ford transfer case skid (since oddly my 2 door had gas tank skid but not the transfer case). It was like $80 and easily bolted on. Next is diff cover, but as for clearance...until portals get down sub $10k (and still quality)...not a likely option. I just missed the HOSS 3.0 for my WT so rolling the 2.0 just fine.
Plus, going 37 may get me that 1 inch at the diff...but probably good idea to reinforce the tailgate which means more $.
Probably didn't help contribute to original ask of the post, except to conclude I'm not sure 37's is the route I would take...but I'm not trying to run extreme trails either.

Golfsky

This is a fantastic and educational feed. I'm not unhappy with my 35's (2dr Wildtrak) with the exception of wanting some MT Baja Boss A/T's. The armor is what I'm getting, shock skids, bought the ford transfer case skid (since oddly my 2 door had gas tank skid but not the transfer case). It was like $80 and easily bolted on. Next is diff cover, but as for clearance...until portals get down sub $10k (and still quality)...not a likely option. I just missed the HOSS 3.0 for my WT so rolling the 2.0 just fine.
Plus, going 37 may get me that 1 inch at the diff...but probably good idea to reinforce the tailgate which means more $.

only 1 inch at Diff but assuming a 2.5 inch lift to clear those 37s then you have 3.5 inch at the skids! It is pretty significant and does make a huge difference!

And yes! reinforce that tail gate!

Unicorn

You would be amazed at what that little bit will do for you.... It is also the "relatively affordable" option. There are several ways to attain this kind of lift. Some more expensive, some less. They all have their pros and cons. Some of the options you can actually improve ride while lifting... Now the question is do you want to improve the ride while on the road or improve the ride while off the road. They are actually two different approaches in spring rates and shock valving.

Personally I will be getting armor for those locations. No matter how high I go (and I am going way up) I know those are my most vulnerable locations and I am going to protect them the best that I can.

Copy that.
I will look into armor also.

Golfsky

This is a fantastic and educational feed. I'm not unhappy with my 35's (2dr Wildtrak) with the exception of wanting some MT Baja Boss A/T's. The armor is what I'm getting, shock skids, bought the ford transfer case skid (since oddly my 2 door had gas tank skid but not the transfer case). It was like $80 and easily bolted on. Next is diff cover, but as for clearance...until portals get down sub $10k (and still quality)...not a likely option. I just missed the HOSS 3.0 for my WT so rolling the 2.0 just fine.
Plus, going 37 may get me that 1 inch at the diff...but probably good idea to reinforce the tailgate which means more $.
Probably didn't help contribute to original ask of the post, except to conclude I'm not sure 37's is the route I would take...but I'm not trying to run extreme trails either.

Same here I have the HOSS 2.0 and I do like it don't get me wrong. And even though I do not rock crawl either I do scrape/scratch from time to time while out on the trails.

Mobius 1

Same here I have the HOSS 2.0 and I do like it don't get me wrong. And even though I do not rock crawl either I do scrape/scratch from time to time while out on the trails.

Just carry an extra tie rod with you.... They are like less than $50.00 I think... and if you break one out on the trail it is like a 15 minute fix.... They are a fuse. do not up grade them unless you upgrade the rack first. They will break before the rack breaks unless you put one in that is too heavy duty. That is how Ford designed them. They break before the rack breaks.

IF you find that you are breaking a lot of tie rods then you need to upgrade your rack so that you can upgrade your tie rod. Some people are upgrading their tie rod because they heard it is the weak link... Then they go out and break their rack.

You can throw a lot of good money after bad. I agree with @Unicorn i roll with a couple of extra tie rods. There are a few folks running 37” with standard factory tie rods, with out issues. A lot has to do with how you approach an obstacle. Good technique can save your equipment. If you bash it even upgraded parts will fail. I have seen Broncbuster break some very heavy duty parts. Granted he is trying to find the breaking point of his gear. But since this is a daily I just don’t want to treat my Bronco in that way. I want my grand kids to enjoy this Bronco some day.

Unicorn

Just carry an extra tie rod with you.... They are like less than $50.00 I think... and if you break one out on the trail it is like a 15 minute fix.... They are a fuse. do not up grade them unless you upgrade the rack first. They will break before the rack breaks unless you put one in that is too heavy duty. That is how Ford designed them. They break before the rack breaks.

IF you find that you are breaking a lot of tie rods then you need to upgrade your rack so that you can upgrade your tie rod. Some people are upgrading their tie rod because they heard it is the weak link... Then they go out and break their rack.

I have thought about carrying extra Tie Rods. If I were to upgrade the tie rods I would update the rack at the same time. I have read somewhere that the SAS 2023s ( Hoss 3.0 ) come upgraded from FORD. So something along those lines perhaps.

Jakob1972

You can throw a lot of good money after bad. I agree with @Unicorn i roll with a couple of extra tie rods. There are a few folks running 37” with standard factory tie rods, with out issues. A lot has to do with how you approach an obstacle. Good technique can save your equipment. If you bash it even upgraded parts will fail. I have seen Broncbuster break some very heavy duty parts. Granted he is trying to find the breaking point of his gear. But since this is a daily I just don’t want to treat my Bronco in that way. I want my grand kids to enjoy this Bronco some day.

I hear you. Line choice, line choice, line choice. I do have a light foot on the trails. I too want to keep this rig for a long time.

Laura

We did the GRT Offfroad perch collar lift kit on the Bronco Nation GPW green Bronco ('21 WT), 37" BFG KO2s, and Fifteen52 Analog HD wheels.
The ride changed to slightly stiffer as expected, but nothing too different from stock HOSS 2.0.
It got the job done and the modification has held up fine even with a moderate amount of wheeling on difficult trails, but if it were my own vehicle, I'd choose coilovers to upgrade the shocks while strengthening other components as well.

What are you after with yours? Clearance, aesthetics?

I have the same setup as Laura on my 22 Squatch. I did it for the clearance. My first miles were mostly off road over 3 days. On the 4th day I had 37" BFG on and the lift. With the original squatch ride height I was not getting the clearance I wanted and the upgrade made all the difference in the world. I have not seen a difference in ride or handling. I run 35 lbs on the road and 12 lbs off road in the tires.
FYI I do not have the BFG throwing rocks up and chipping paint like the original 35's did.

Mantruck

I have the same setup as Laura on my 22 Squatch. I did it for the clearance. My first miles were mostly off road over 3 days. On the 4th day I had 37" BFG on and the lift. With the original squatch ride height I was not getting the clearance I wanted and the upgrade made all the difference in the world. I have not seen a difference in ride or handling. I run 35 lbs on the road and 12 lbs off road in the tires.
FYI I do not have the BFG throwing rocks up and chipping paint like the original 35's did.

Got it.
I hear you on the Goodyears. They did seem to quiet down after the 10K mark. However, every now and then, after a trail they remind you of the fun you just had with their signature "ping"

I'm on the SAS Goodyear tires, they're not really 35's. When you put a tape measure on them they are just under 34", not sure why Ford advertises them as 35's. I had some clearance issues going over the Poukeepsie Wall in Ouray this past summer, really needed about 2 more inches (yes I know, that's what she said lol). Going to a true 35" tire would help some but once you air down it's prolly not a big difference.