New(er) 38x13.50r17 in the Market w/ D load range

TX Braptor · Apr 18, 2023

Hi Y’all, anyone familiar with the new Falken “RT” that was released a few months ago?

It’s Falken hybrid that appears to have been been designed to compete with the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Toyo RT Trail.

The reason it’s great for the Braptor is that they offer a 38x13.50r17 in a D load range, which is a rare tire size and load range offering for a larger tire. Currently the Nitto Trail Grappler comes in this size as an MT tire weighing in at 90+ lbs and louder on the highway with a more aggressive tread. The Falken RT are 87 lbs and about $150 less per tire.

I’m about to pull the trigger on a set and just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions about the tire or know first hand if they are any good? I know their At3 and MT have rave reviews, so figured it might be a good choice for the Braptor on stock suspension or with a 1” leveling kit like I am planning.

I added some pics, as this is a good looking tire and has the specs that appear to be perfect for what I am looking for. Thanks

TurboS · Apr 18, 2023

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Falken tires, but I agree these new R/T's look good!

WILDPEAK R/T

www.falkentire.com

Dragoon · Apr 26, 2023

I have heard good things about Falken Tires. These new R/Ts might be a great solution for those who want a little bit bigger tire with a good load range.

Dragoon · Apr 26, 2023

JohnGalt · Oct 23, 2024

TX Braptor said:
Hi Y’all, anyone familiar with the new Falken “RT” that was released a few months ago?

It’s Falken hybrid that appears to have been been designed to compete with the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Toyo RT Trail.

The reason it’s great for the Braptor is that they offer a 38x13.50r17 in a D load range, which is a rare tire size and load range offering for a larger tire. Currently the Nitto Trail Grappler comes in this size as an MT tire weighing in at 90+ lbs and louder on the highway with a more aggressive tread. The Falken RT are 87 lbs and about $150 less per tire.

I’m about to pull the trigger on a set and just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions about the tire or know first hand if they are any good? I know their At3 and MT have rave reviews, so figured it might be a good choice for the Braptor on stock suspension or with a 1” leveling kit like I am planning.

I added some pics, as this is a good looking tire and has the specs that appear to be perfect for what I am looking for. Thanks View attachment 7702 View attachment 7704 View attachment 7703 View attachment 7705

Did you pull the trigger on these? If so what offset rims are you running? I assume just a 1” spacer up front. Given that, what’s experience on road and off-road? TIA

TurboS · Oct 24, 2024

JohnGalt said:
Did you pull the trigger on these? If so what offset rims are you running? I assume just a 1” spacer up front. Given that, what’s experience on road and off-road? TIA

Here ya go,

39 to 40 Inch Tires for the Bronco Raptor

Loving 39s.

www.broncoraptor.com

39 to 40 Inch Tires for the Bronco Raptor

Looks Great! Our 37's are starting to look... small. I like the tire to flare stick out, looks perfect, Well Done! :cool: How does it drive? You noticed the -10 lbs per wheel when you went to the RTR wheels, you must notice gaining the tire weight along with the taller tire/gearing. yes the...

www.broncoraptor.com

DdYHrse · Oct 24, 2024

I have that exact tire on mine. I went with the Eibach pro lift springs front and rear and don't have any rubbing. I did have to have my shop change my low tire pressure warning to around 20 PSI since I have to run these at like 25 PSI cold to get them to ride good. They were way too stiff at 40 PSI. Good tire though. They have a little noise, but nothing too crazy. I can definitely feel the weight difference with them too power wise. With the lift and tires it dropped about an MPG all around as well. Luckily I am having the ford tune installed soon to hopefully negate that.

JohnGalt · Saturday at 8:38 PM

Just completed a bunch of work on the truck. 74 Weld steering rack, FMI tie rods and shock top hats, Hyperco 2”/1” spring lift, RPG Panhard bar and the aforementioned 38”x13.5” D rated Falken Wildpeak R/T01s.

Ride after just the shocks was surprisingly nicer than expected. Adding the new tires today made if a bit stiffer, but tires were pumped up to 38 PSI. Still much better than I anticipated. All this is over a few highway miles.

the fit of the 38x13.5s is fantastic on road, no rubbing. But I have +6 rims and I previously removed the front bumper air dams and the mud flap pieces from all four flares. Try to get it articulated to look for any hot spots soon.

Greybeard · Monday at 11:20 AM

Great Ride! Did you remove the metal chuck behind the air dam?

JohnGalt · Monday at 12:20 PM

Greybeard said:
Great Ride! Did you remove the metal chuck behind the air dam?

Been a long time, but I don’t recall a metal chuck/chunk? Sold the parts as well.

Here’s a pic at the back side of the bumper ends for reference.

Greybeard · Monday at 1:34 PM

I am ignorant again. The chunk I am referring to is the part of the chassis. I thought it would be visible when the air dam was removed, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

I expect to order the Hyperco springs, Nitto's, and KMC very soon.

JohnGalt · 2024-11-05T09:24:37-0600

Greybeard said:
I am ignorant again. The chunk I am referring to is the part of the chassis. I thought it would be visible when the air dam was removed, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

I expect to order the Hyperco springs, Nitto's, and KMC very soon.

I thought that might be the case. I don’t think that spot is going to be a problem at all if you’re running lower offset wheels. Are you planning to remove the “mud flaps”? I’ve had mine off so long that I’m not sure how close they might be.

I’m thinking full stuff off a jump will be close (perhaps hit) somewhere up top, so I wouldn’t go past 0 offset (I’m at +6) as extra width from the rim and 13.5 tire may result in catching the bottom edge of the flare.

Once I resolve a tie rod boot issue (ugh), I’ll take down to the local OHV area to test on the track and obstacles for clearances at the extremes.

Greybeard · 2024-11-05T09:32:08-0600

On day 2, the mud flaps were off. I am going with a 0 offset. My math and a few wheel calculators say the poke will be about 1.2" from the original.

JohnGalt · 2024-11-05T09:41:14-0600

+34 to 0 gets you 1.34”, the 13.5s get you another 0.5” of width on inside and out, and the Nitto sidewalls vs the K02s are lugged which may get you a little more width inside and out. Lots of folks are running 0 offset with larger tires, I just wouldn’t push past that for a variety of reasons (scrub, overall width, clearance on full stuff)

Greybeard · 2024-11-05T09:45:46-0600

I met a guy at a shopping mall with a BRaptor. He took the original beadlock wheels, installed 38x13.5 Nittos, and installed 1.5" spacers. NO LIFT!! He swears it doesn't rub, but he has yet to flex it completely.

I have a friend who has the same setup I'm going with (but Falken tires), including 2/1" Hyperco. He rock crawls like crazy. No rub.

JohnGalt · 2024-11-05T09:59:39-0600

Greybeard said:
I met a guy at a shopping mat with a BRaptor. He took the original beadlock wheels, installed 38x13.5 Nittos, and installed 1.5" spacers. NO LIFT!! He swears it doesn't rub, but he has yet to flex it completely.

I have a friend who has the same setup I'm going with (but Falken tires), including 2/1" Hyperco. He rock crawls like crazy. No rub.

Good to know. Everyone says their bigger tires don’t rub, but very few actually wheel them. Even a little. But I’m super happy to hear your friend has no issues with the Falken like mine!

One last consideration, the 13.5” Nittos are probably a load range E. That’s going to stiffen things up even more. The only lower rated 38s I remember seeing are my D rated 13.5 Falken R/T01s and Nitto 12.5” C rated Recon (I think) Grapplers.

I wanted something tougher than a C after blowing out two K02 sidewalls in one day and something more pliable than an E to preserve some of the Raptors plush ride after springs and sturdier tires. FWIW

WANNA1 · 2024-11-05T12:51:17-0600

JohnGalt said:
Just completed a bunch of work on the truck. 74 Weld steering rack, FMI tie rods and shock top hats, Hyperco 2”/1” spring lift, RPG Panhard bar and the aforementioned 38”x13.5” D rated Falken Wildpeak R/T01s.

Ride after just the shocks was surprisingly nicer than expected. Adding the new tires today made if a bit stiffer, but tires were pumped up to 38 PSI. Still much better than I anticipated. All this is over a few highway miles.

the fit of the 38x13.5s is fantastic on road, no rubbing. But I have +6 rims and I previously removed the front bumper air dams and the mud flap pieces from all four flares. Try to get it articulated to look for any hot spots soon.
View attachment 13953

You'll like them a lot more when you drop the pressure to ~32psi.

TurboS · 2024-11-05T14:01:47-0600

JohnGalt said:
Just completed a bunch of work on the truck. 74 Weld steering rack, FMI tie rods and shock top hats, Hyperco 2”/1” spring lift, RPG Panhard bar and the aforementioned 38”x13.5” D rated Falken Wildpeak R/T01s.

Ride after just the shocks was surprisingly nicer than expected. Adding the new tires today made if a bit stiffer, but tires were pumped up to 38 PSI. Still much better than I anticipated. All this is over a few highway miles.

the fit of the 38x13.5s is fantastic on road, no rubbing. But I have +6 rims and I previously removed the front bumper air dams and the mud flap pieces from all four flares. Try to get it articulated to look for any hot spots soon.
View attachment 13951 View attachment 13952 View attachment 13953

Looks Good! That is quite a few major enhancement upgrades, and having watched a majority of your video's I'm certain you will be utilizing them. Congrats, very nicely done.

JohnGalt · 2024-11-06T16:10:16-0600

@Greybeard

Good news. In the interests of science…I went over to the nearby county park and found a 24” tall boulder to flex on. I did this quickly as I was getting disapproving stares from dog walkers. So not a comprehensive assessment.

I put passenger front tire up on the rock in both straight and locked fully passenger positions. No rubbing in front with loads of clearance.

This obviously caused the drivers rear to stuff. Again no contact I could see although the clearances were probably 1.5-2 inches. And hard to see inside the well with the flare so close to the tire. Hard to say if there would be any contact at absolutely full stuff (I was probably reasonably close to full stuff).

Rear stuff