Lift or not to lift, that is the question…and tires

[awake1234]

New here, and to Bronco Sport, but not to Ford.
Just got the Heritage, it’s awesome, and I will post pics soon.
First, a general question: I’m scheduled to get a 1.5” lift and KO2 tires (245/65/17) from the Ford dealer. Anyone have experience, suggestions, comments here?
Anything is appreciated (ie, is the lift worth it, are the tires good, are they noisey, affect mpg significantly?)
I’m not going to be doing serious off-roading (been there done that), but I just want it to look a little more “cool”, and be ready if the urge arises to take a trail or two!
Thanks in advance,
G

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[Jewce]

welcome to the forum! There’s a lot of information on this topic if you search through past feeds. I’ve seen a lot of people with the exact set up you’re purchasing and they all seem really happy with it and their rides look great. Any easy way to find the info is to type in “bronco sport lift forum” in an google search and you’ll get a lot of hits on the topic. Cheers ?

 

[jkeaton]

Also seen lots of lifts done by folks that cause nothing but trouble. Personally, I leave the factory suspension geometry alone. It's not IF they will cause problems, it's WHEN.

 

[awake1234]

Thanks for the input Jewce and Jkeaton. I am noticing a lot of comments about issues, whether upfront, or down the line, when it comes to lifts. Seemingly regardless of whether the dealership or an individual does the install. (I guess with the dealer issues are covered but I don’t want to go down that road…).
What about the tires, any input - bigger tires without the lift, Goodyear vs KO2??
Thanks!

 

[Mark S.]

When you change the angles on suspension and driveline components you are almost certain to increase wear, but there is little data available to gauge how much. Ford sells the Badlands lifted from the factory. It includes longer/softer springs than the other Bronco Sport trims. I would use that as your guide on how far you can lift a Bronco Sport without causing issues.

Even if you have your dealership install a lift, if it results in damage to other suspension/driveline components that damage will not be covered by your warranty. The only thing you gain by having your dealer install the kit is if they damage something during the installation they are liable to repair it.

Larger, heavier tires come with their own issues. You need to ensure whatever diameter/width tire you choose will fit in the wheel well without interference. The tires should not touch anything inside the wheel well at full left/right lock, and throughout the full travel of the suspension. Additionally, heavier tires will decrease fuel mileage and acceleration performance. They will also increase wear on your suspension. For example, the shocks are set up to damp the motion of the combined weight of the wheel, tire, and other suspension components. When you increase that weight with heavier wheels and/or tires the shocks may no longer be adequate for the task. This can have adverse effects on ride quality and handling.

 

[Lanitas]

New here, and to Bronco Sport, but not to Ford.
Just got the Heritage, it’s awesome, and I will post pics soon.
First, a general question: I’m scheduled to get a 1.5” lift and KO2 tires (245/65/17) from the Ford dealer. Anyone have experience, suggestions, comments here?
Anything is appreciated (ie, is the lift worth it, are the tires good, are they noisey, affect mpg significantly?)
I’m not going to be doing serious off-roading (been there done that), but I just want it to look a little more “cool”, and be ready if the urge arises to take a trail or two!
Thanks in advance,
G

I plan to use this kit

 

[Robink]

Thanks for the input Jewce and Jkeaton. I am noticing a lot of comments about issues, whether upfront, or down the line, when it comes to lifts. Seemingly regardless of whether the dealership or an individual does the install. (I guess with the dealer issues are covered but I don’t want to go down that road…).
What about the tires, any input - bigger tires without the lift, Goodyear vs KO2??
Thanks!

I put Toyo Open AT 225 65 17 tire's on mine. I like the more slightly narrow tire's on mine.

 

[wireman]

New here, and to Bronco Sport, but not to Ford.
Just got the Heritage, it’s awesome, and I will post pics soon.
First, a general question: I’m scheduled to get a 1.5” lift and KO2 tires (245/65/17) from the Ford dealer. Anyone have experience, suggestions, comments here?
Anything is appreciated (ie, is the lift worth it, are the tires good, are they noisey, affect mpg significantly?)
I’m not going to be doing serious off-roading (been there done that), but I just want it to look a little more “cool”, and be ready if the urge arises to take a trail or two!
Thanks in advance,
G

The good thing is that it's installed by the dealer and that should help with any warranty issues.

I'd check with them first before installing it and find out what is covered.

 

[awake1234]

I appreciate all the feedback. I’ve definitely learned that I will need a detailed list of what’s covered with the install, or how the kit affects the current warranty.
All the advice against the lift is surprising, but you’re the experienced folks I’d expect to know here. Anyone for a lift, or with positive results on that side (self or dealer installed)?
Can anyone say how a size 265/65/17 fits on the BS ‘23? And how the BFG and KO2 tires stack up to each other??
Thanks again!

 

[dakman]

I put my lift on when my bs was about 2 months old and 36k miles ago. I installed myself and have previous experience. There is nothing special or hard on the procedure. Most issues I've seen were poorly designed parts causing issues, clunking top or endlinks that for the most part have been fixed. I definitely wouldn't put it back and if I bought another id lift it too. I say go for it. I do get a little less mpg and acceleration with bigger heavy tires but like the ride better.

 

[Colonel Angus]

I appreciate all the feedback. I’ve definitely learned that I will need a detailed list of what’s covered with the install, or how the kit affects the current warranty.
All the advice against the lift is surprising, but you’re the experienced folks I’d expect to know here. Anyone for a lift, or with positive results on that side (self or dealer installed)?
Can anyone say how a size 265/65/17 fits on the BS ‘23? And how the BFG and KO2 tires stack up to each other??
Thanks again!

245/65/17 is the largest tire with a lift or not. It's all the wheel well can handle without rubbing.

 

[awake1234]

I put my lift on when my bs was about 2 months old and 36k miles ago. I installed myself and have previous experience. There is nothing special or hard on the procedure. Most issues I've seen were poorly designed parts causing issues, clunking top or endlinks that for the most part have been fixed. I definitely wouldn't put it back and if I bought another id lift it too. I say go for it. I do get a little less mpg and acceleration with bigger heavy tires but like the ride better.

Looks great dakman! Thanks for the pic and the positive feedback. Is that a 1.5” lift (what brand)? And what tires do you have?

 

[dakman]

Yes it is a 1.5 HRG lift. I will go flat out CO's when time for new shocks. Flat out wasn't available yet. Ride is fine , hardly notice anything except you sit higher. Tires are falken wildpeaks 245x65x17.

 

[Lanitas]

New here, and to Bronco Sport, but not to Ford.
Just got the Heritage, it’s awesome, and I will post pics soon.
First, a general question: I’m scheduled to get a 1.5” lift and KO2 tires (245/65/17) from the Ford dealer. Anyone have experience, suggestions, comments here?
Anything is appreciated (ie, is the lift worth it, are the tires good, are they noisey, affect mpg significantly?)
I’m not going to be doing serious off-roading (been there done that), but I just want it to look a little more “cool”, and be ready if the urge arises to take a trail or two!
Thanks in advance,
G

I ordered my Bronco Heritage with all terrain 245/65/r17 tires and I’m very happy with the setup. Not noisy al all.
I’ve just ordered the 1.5” “gentleman’s lift” and will be install by a specialized off-road shop.
I’ll post pictures when finished.

 

[awake1234]

I ordered my Bronco Heritage with all terrain 245/65/r17 tires and I’m very happy with the setup. Not noisy al all.
I’ve just ordered the 1.5” “gentleman’s lift” and will be install by a specialized off-road shop.
I’ll post pictures when finished.

Nice! From your profile pic I think we have the same ride, and we are getting the similar upgrades. I will get mine back from the Ford shop soon and post the updates! Thx

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