New Badlands owner – Tire Upgrade and initial setup (looking for feedback)

[Whpony96]

https://www.amazon.ca/Godeson-88702-Smart-Color-Coded/dp/B01F5N55B0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SzcMvJUV03eTfEKTDjgWZH8fv2DM69Rj2u2GBT1238X9K2JonKJMasqboCb9sM7bczgJ1vuqjfX0PKVw4CjSSPg9Fr0VMsurkDBPULRC_0W3qwyCLXWVwN8IuUflGBldUqpyxcq7avzRp-StD9wPDb-8NXoHIRHaXaaL0Ea-bEvRbafHW9LEHq-9ZbHKvjHhQGSqJ0KxQx0YdH7_bvxVwg.XzeHYGPQDYxL4yJ18yoomA_-SDzeNwalkgYMTVXMVZ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire+tread+gauge&qid=1774550491&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

That checking it by using a tire tread depth gauge not "By Eye" LOL

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[RSH]

Hi everyone,

First of all, thanks to all of yo, I’ve been reading through many threads here and found a lot of useful information.

I recently picked up a brand new Bronco Sport Badlands (about a week ago), and I wanted to share one of the first changes I made and get your thoughts.

From the factory (at least here in Buenos Aires, Argentina), the vehicle came with Continental CrossContact tires in size 225/65 R17.
I decided to switch to 235/65 R17, mainly to gain a slightly wider contact patch and a bit more sidewall height.

I went with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus. My reasoning was to have a more aggressive tread pattern for off-road use, along with a stronger sidewall to better withstand potential damage when driving off-road.

I’ll leave some photos below so you can see the setup.

Before:

After:

Regarding tire pressure: from the factory, all four tires were set at 44 PSI. With these new tires, which feel noticeably stiffer, I decided to lower pressures to 39 PSI in the front and 38 PSI in the rear.

My plan is to monitor wear over the next weeks/months to ensure even tread contact and avoid any uneven wear patterns. The goal with the pressure adjustment was to improve ride comfort without negatively affecting tire performance or contact patch behavior on pavement.

I’d really appreciate any feedback, experiences, or suggestions, especially from those running similar sizes, model or AT tires on the Badlands.

Thanks in advance.

I have a 2021 Badlands that has the same color scheme as yours.
I have 245 65r 17's on mine, they are Falken Rubitrek AT tires, they have worn really well and have just shy of 50,000 miles on them. They have gotten noisier as the miles have increased but it isn't that bad. I also have aftermarket Raceline wheels. I run the standard tire pressure, with more air the ride is too bouncy and with less air the vehicle leans too much when cornering.
You'll find what works best for you.

In your case the dealer must have originally overlooked the tire pressure during the pdi, 44/45 PSI is what is used to seat the tire to the rim bead at the factory, the standard tire pressure for the Sport is 33 PSI.

 

[Bill G]

Every place, every time, some place that services my car puts the pressure 4-6 psi over the recommended pressure — and I drop it down using a known gauge asap. The recommended 33 cold psi works well over-all. If I were to change it, I might go to 36psi cold as it stiffens up the sidewall a little to improve cornering, but then I don’t do a lot of “spirited” driving in my BL.

 

[wireman]

Timon.Arg,
This part of your post caught most of my attention. I, too, had the exact same CrossContact tires on my ‘25 Heritage as stock and immediately after taking delivery did what you did: changed to an AT tire (Falken Wildpeaks) in 235/65/17.
When I was shopping the vehicle I noticed every BS at the dealership (in Florida) had the same Continentals on them.
So, I went to the Continental web site and found that the tire, at the time, had an overall customer rating of less than 3 stars.
While this is my first new car purchase in the brand I find it surprising that Ford would provide a tire like this one as standard equipment on, what I thought is, an all terrain vehicle.
[/QUOTE
Exactly. I bought a used 2025 Badlands. Sad that they would put these 225 tires on the Badlands since it's supposed to be the off road trim. They look stupid on the vehicle.

The 2021 1st gen Badlands I had came with the 235 Wild peaks standard.

With the 2025 they are an option with the Sasquatch package IIRC.

Ford's thinking baffles me a lot when it comes to deciding how each trim is equipped.

 

[Thom2play]

Hi everyone,

First of all, thanks to all of yo, I’ve been reading through many threads here and found a lot of useful information.

I recently picked up a brand new Bronco Sport Badlands (about a week ago), and I wanted to share one of the first changes I made and get your thoughts.

From the factory (at least here in Buenos Aires, Argentina), the vehicle came with Continental CrossContact tires in size 225/65 R17.
I decided to switch to 235/65 R17, mainly to gain a slightly wider contact patch and a bit more sidewall height.

I went with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus. My reasoning was to have a more aggressive tread pattern for off-road use, along with a stronger sidewall to better withstand potential damage when driving off-road.

I’ll leave some photos below so you can see the setup.

Before:

After:

Regarding tire pressure: from the factory, all four tires were set at 44 PSI. With these new tires, which feel noticeably stiffer, I decided to lower pressures to 39 PSI in the front and 38 PSI in the rear.

My plan is to monitor wear over the next weeks/months to ensure even tread contact and avoid any uneven wear patterns. The goal with the pressure adjustment was to improve ride comfort without negatively affecting tire performance or contact patch behavior on pavement.

I’d really appreciate any feedback, experiences, or suggestions, especially from those running similar sizes, model or AT tires on the Badlands.

Thanks in advance.

Like them!.....any problem with rub on tight turns? Just got a '23 and may replace the tires. Thanks!

 

[Timon.Arg]

Like them!.....any problem with rub on tight turns? Just got a '23 and may replace the tires. Thanks!

Hi @Thom2play

I actually installed them the same day I made that post, so I haven’t put a lot of miles on them yet, just city driving and highway so far. Behavior has been excellent.

This Wednesday I’m heading out for a beach/off-road trip here on the Argentine coast. Sand is probably the worst-case scenario for AT tires, so that’ll be a good real test.

So far, in my garage where I do tight turns, I haven’t noticed any rubbing at all.

 

[jkernitzki]

With the 2025 they are an option with the Sasquatch package IIRC.

They were included with the package. I don't think they were an independent option at any trim level.

 

[wireman]

I should have said that the Sasquatch Package is an option and includes the 235 Goodyear tires.

 

[jkernitzki]

I should have said that the Sasquatch Package is an option and includes the 235 Goodyear tires.

Gotcha.

 

[Dannyp56]

Mine came from the factory and they didn't release some of the pressure. Took it to a different Ford dealer and they lowered the pressure to 33.

 

[Happy Joe]

After a few decades off road(searching for maximum traction) and at on road at speeds that were; Grandma boring to well beyond illegal; An old guy told me about the chalk test ; easy to do at home, requires little specialized equipment and has given me good results: under many load conditions...
Chalk test
... from one of my favorite offroad tire manufacturers...
(and it even works for tiny, on road tires, in the 215 to 245 range). used on vehicles ranging from CJ's and YJ's through my old and much beloved Explorer...

... not certain how well the computer will like the inflation pressure results though...

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Joe]

Here is an easy safety tip;
after changing tire pressure or significantly increasing the loaded vehicle weight; drive 20 miles at highway speeds then stop (off the highway) and immediately feel the tire tread with your hand if any tire (or all of them) are excessively war, or god forbid hot, to the touch consider raising the tire pressure.
IMO most blowouts happen because the tire is , or was overheated.
The tires should be warm but if they are HOT to the touch you need to immediately; check and likely increase, increase the tire pressure....

On long trips I typically make a trip around the vehicle at each fuel stop and feel my tires...
I rarely stop for any thing but fuel; and a and a quick adjustment of my liquid level at the same time (if I consume a lot of coffee or soda)...

Enjoy!

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