For some people, owning a stock Bronco isn’t as fun as getting “more” out of it. More clearance, more power, and a bigger visual impact are things modifiers are after.
One of the most popular changes after delivery is new wheels, and with that, maybe upgrading the tire size (a common forum question: Can I fit 37"s?).
However, remember that Ford built your Bronco for the tire size it came with. It’s fine to add larger tires, but you need to do work if you want your vehicle to drive the way it was intended. Otherwise, you will have losses in performance and power.
Taking a Loss
Adding larger tires reduces wheel horsepower, affects transmission shift points, requires you to give your Bronco more acceleration input while climbing obstacles, throws off your speedometer, and even makes it appear you’re getting worse fuel range than you are. Any parameter calculated by your wheel speed will be “messed up” by the larger diameter tire. Plus, larger tires added without further modifications stress vehicle components, forcing your Bronco’s drivetrain to work harder to turn them.
Gaining It Back
This is where regearing comes in and why it's important to consider doing. Regearing to a proper ratio after adding larger tires helps your Bronco's drivetrain perform as engineered, in a way tuning for horsepower and torque alone cannot.
You will need to reconfigure your Bronco after regearing, and of course, some people will want larger tires and more power on top of regaining what was lost.
Ford Performance Parts has a solution.
Ford Calibrations Get New Features
Ford Performance recently released Bronco calibrations for the 2.3L and 2.7L EcoBoost engines – M-9603-B23 and M-9603-B27. Owners could gain horsepower and torque and upgrade to 4.70 gears.
Now, with a fresh update to these available calibrations, you can reconfigure after regearing, correct your speedometer, enhance the performance of your engine – plus go further. As of Nov. 29, these calibrations support gear ratio changes up to 5.38.
“More importantly,” said Mike Goodwin, Engines/Drivetrain/Calibrations Product Manager at Ford Performace, “customers can now upgrade base models with M190 front drive units to the M210 with E-lockers. Now customers can go up to 37” tires and 5.38 gears.”
The M190 front drive unit (FDU) is found on non-Sasquatch Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Black Diamond Broncos. Goodwin reminds 2021-2022 owners upgrading from the M190 FDU to the M210 FDU (M-3002-446BF or M-3002-470BF) that they will need the calibration to reconfigure the driveline control module. You’ll also need new half-shafts: the same ones M210 FDU-equipped Broncos use (M-3429-BR).
If you’ve already purchased one of these performance calibrations, you can access the new ratios and module configuration capability by updating the ProCal 4 firmware.
More to Come
Watch Ford Performance Parts for new releases: In addition to the currently available 4.46 and 4.70 ratios, FPP will be offering Bronco gears, FDUs, and complete axle assemblies in 4.88, 5.13, and 5.38 ratios.
Questions on regearing? Hear from the community. Head to the Bronco Nation forum and ask!
Comments
You must log in or register to post here.