Spare tire addition.

[TheX]

as I look back, it has been a while since I've had a flat.

#metoo

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[Bill G]

Well I would not be driving on the spare except to get to a tire shop. If my math is right a 225-65 is about a 1/2” shorter than my 245-65’s. I could bump up to a 225-70 17, assuming one exist, and that is only .08” shorter than my 245-65’s. That brings me back to will it fit? I guess I could put one of my tires in there and see what it looks like. (Width would be an issue, but At least I would have an idea) All this crap could be avoided if Ford would just put the damn spare in there from the get go. Also, I read (on this forum) that the Bronco doesn’t have a traditional transfer case.

Yes, in “normal, eco, sport” modes the Sport is “intelligent” awd. The other modes are what “lock” up the various drive components (depending on your trim) and provide the quasi-transfer case.

As to the tire issue, 225/65’s are @ 1” shorter than 245/65”s, 235/65’s are @ 1/2” shorter. The Ford “full size spare” on my BS BL w/OEM optional AT tires (235/65r17) was a 225/65 (NOT a matching tire). It was close enough for limited use to get back to “civilization”. The 235/65 tire would “just fit” into the spare wheel well with all the padding in place.

When I put on 235/70r17 tires (30” tall) I decided the 225/65 might cause an issue, so I decided to keep the 1/2” size difference and put in a 245/65 spare (29.5” tall). It fits (with some effort) after all the padding is removed and you keep it deflated to @15/20psi. This isn’t a problem as I carry a compressor so I can pump it up after it’s on the car if I need to use it (hopefully never).

 

[REDWM]

While rotating my tires on my 2023 Big Bend Bronco Sport, checked to see if the full size tire would fit in the well where the donut sits. It does fit but is a litte higher , however the floor mat will sit on it with it sliding into the higher groves in the floor.

 

[prchandler86]

The "full-size" spare is 225/65R17. As far as the proper foam, try finding a Badlands at a wrecking yard, that is the only trim that has always included a spare for its entire run (AFAIK).

imo, the foam serves no purpose. The slots cut into it for storage are too small to hold anything meaningful. I pulled the foam out and now have plenty of storage for useful items (battery booster, first aid kit, k-rope and soft shackles, battery powered tire inflator). The metal well and the retainer bolt/nut keeps the tire in place.

 

[BBBronk]

It took me a bit to get around to testing this out, but a 225/65 R17 does not fit in a 2026 Bronco Sport Big Bend. The floor, even in the raised position, rest on the tire, but does not rest on the side supports. This makes the floor wobble and puts the floor at risk of cracking if you put anything in the cargo area. This is only making do, not fitting. Which is fine if you are ok with that, but be fair warned the full size stock tire does not fit in a 26. I cannot speak for previous years. I will be shopping for a donut spare.

 

[BBBronk]

Seems so odd that Ford would change the spare tire compartment but unless you had the tire in not upside down I could see Ford making changes due to the ‘25-‘26 rear bumper and other mods for those models

But I thought other 2026 Big Bend owners did fit that size tire as a spare

The Pirelli 225/65 R17 came from the factory as a spare fitting easily into the 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands but a Falken WILDPEAK A/T4W 235/65 R17 would not fit as a spare

Don’t know what to tell you other than it 100% did not fit a 26 sport big bend no matter which way I flipped it, period. I have room laterally. So a donut with as close as possible in height to my 245/65 R17’s will fit fine.

 

[Jmuns]

Don’t know what to tell you other than it 100% did not fit a 26 sport big bend no matter which way I flipped it, period. I have room laterally. So a donut with as close as possible in height to my 245/65 R17’s will fit fine.

Did you take any photos? What's the well look like when it's empty?

 

[North_of_49]

Don’t know what to tell you other than it 100% did not fit a 26 sport big bend no matter which way I flipped it, period. I have room laterally. So a donut with as close as possible in height to my 245/65 R17’s will fit fine.

Your tire size is almost exactly the same diameter as the 245/60/18 I put on my ‘25 OBX so I’ll be looking for a donut setup the same as yours. If you get something please post it here.

 

[BBBronk]

Did you take any photos? What's the well look like when it's empty?

No, I did not.

 

[Garth]

The deck is built different on Sports with a full size spare. The lip by the hatch is bigger lifting it up to give more room underneath.

 

[Jmuns]

The deck is built different on Sports with a full size spare. The lip by the hatch is bigger lifting it up to give more room underneath.

This. It has a small downward lip on the front edge that bumps it up an inch or two to clear the tire. I was also wondering if there was any sound deadening foam/fabric in the bottom of the well that might prohibit the spare from dropping the whole way. To fit 245's in as a spare you have to remove that in previous years models to fit as it should.

 

[BBBronk]

This. It has a small downward lip on the front edge that bumps it up an inch or two to clear the tire. I was also wondering if there was any sound deadening foam/fabric in the bottom of the well that might prohibit the spare from dropping the whole way. To fit 245's in as a spare you have to remove that in previous years models to fit as it should.

I removed all foam and the sound deadening fabric. I know I can’t fit a 245/65, but I went to a used tire store and they had a 225/ 65-17 on a steelie to have an idea what would fit. It sounds like I don’t have the extra lip, at the bumper, like Garth mentioned. I can’t really tell you because I do not know what that would look like. I have the side supports for raising the floor higher, nothing at the bumper.

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