The race for power between performance vehicles is nothing new. Recently, the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco engaged in a battle of tire sizes. It all started with the Bronco Sasquatch package sporting 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler-Not-Wrangler mud terrains, which was quickly matched by Jeep’s Xtreme Recon pack. Ford then upped the ante with the Bronco Raptor, featuring 37-inch tires as standard. Now, as announced by Jeep, you have the option to equip your Wrangler with similarly massive BF Goodrich KO2s. Act fast and prepare your finances for this one.
To get your hands on these 37-inch tires, you’ll need to purchase either a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe or Wrangler Rubicon 392 with the 20th Anniversary Edition package. The former costs $71,380 and the latter $92,690. Additionally, you’ll need to add the Level II equipment group, which is an upgrade from American Expedition Vehicles. Keep in mind, only 150 units will be built to these specifications, and they come at a premium price. The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th AE with the Level II kit will set you back $94,358 after factoring in logistics, while the Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th AE with Level II equipment is priced at $113,820.
Jeep
Fortunately, AEV provides more than just tires for the cost. The package includes the company’s 17-inch wheels, DualSport RT suspension for a 2.5-inch lift with Bilstein 5100 shocks, new front and rear bumpers, skid plates, an off-road jack base, a tire carrier, a steering damper, AEV 7000 Series lights, a Warn winch, and the 4xe’s 4.56 rear axle ratio!
These heavily equipped Wranglers offer 14.2 inches of ground clearance and 37.1 inches of water fording capability, outperforming the Bronco Raptor. The off-road angles of the Jeeps measure 50 degrees approach, 33 degrees breakover, and 43 degrees departure, surpassing the Bronco Raptor’s figures of 47.2 degrees approach, 30.8 degrees breakover, and 40.5 degrees departure. AEV’s Jeeps take the victory here.
The Drive / Caleb Jacobs
It’s clear that these are not direct comparisons. The Jeep offerings are highly exclusive compared to the more widely available Bronco Raptors from Ford. Moreover, the price gap is significant, with the Bronco Raptor’s starting price at $70,045. However, securing one at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is a challenge. These 37-inch tire-equipped Jeeps are specially customized models that stand out in the market.
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