What Happens When You Delete Your Bronco's Spare Tire

A spare tire delete means removing the spare tire and its mounting hardware from your Ford Bronco entirely, rather than carrying it as backup. Ford offers this as a factory option on newer Bronco models, and some owners retrofit older Broncos by unbolting and discarding the spare, carrier, and related equipment.

The main reason owners do this is weight reduction — a full-size spare tire, carrier, and mounting bracket can weigh 50 to 80 pounds depending on your Bronco's generation. Removing that weight improves fuel economy slightly and reduces the load on your suspension. The secondary reason is interior or cargo space: some owners want the room back under the rear seat or in the cargo area where the spare would otherwise sit.

The trade-off is straightforward: you lose the ability to change a tire roadside and must rely on a towing service, tire repair kit, or roadside information membership if you get a flat. This is a permanent choice — you cannot undo it without buying a new spare, carrier, and hardware.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting the spare saves 50 to 80 pounds and frees up cargo or interior space, but leaves you without a roadside tire change option.
  • Ford sells the spare tire delete as a factory option on current Bronco models; older Broncos require manual removal of the spare, carrier, and bolts.
  • You will need a tire repair kit, roadside information membership, or towing service as your backup plan if you get a flat.
  • Removing the spare yourself involves unbolting the carrier from the frame or body, which takes basic tools and 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Resale value may be affected if future buyers expect a spare tire to be present, so document the deletion in your maintenance records.

Factory Delete vs. Aftermarket Removal

If you ordered your Bronco from the factory with the spare tire delete option, Ford straightforward does not install the spare, carrier, or mounting hardware — there is nothing to remove. You receive the vehicle complete and ready to go. This is the cleanest route because no bolts are left behind, no brackets remain, and the frame or body has no unused mounting points.

If you own an older Bronco or a newer one that came with a spare and you want to delete it yourself, you will need to unbolt the carrier from the frame. The location varies by generation: first-generation Broncos (1966–1977) typically carry the spare on the rear bumper or tailgate, while modern Broncos (2021+) mount it under the rear seat or on the frame behind the rear axle. Consult your owner's manual or a Bronco-specific forum to locate the exact mounting points for your year.

Aftermarket removal is reversible if you keep the spare, carrier, and hardware, but it requires you to source or retain all the original parts. If you sell the Bronco later, a buyer may expect the spare to be present, so transparency about the deletion is important for resale.

Tools and Steps to Remove the Spare Yourself

Removing a spare tire and carrier is a straightforward job that does not require specialized equipment. You will need a socket set or wrench set (typically 10mm to 18mm sockets), a jack, jack stands, and a helper to stabilize the Bronco if you are working under the rear end. Some carriers bolt directly to the frame; others bolt to the body. Check your manual to determine which applies to your model year.

Start by raising the rear of the Bronco on jack stands — never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Locate all bolts connecting the carrier to the frame or body; there are usually four to six. Remove each bolt and set them aside in a labeled container so you do not lose them. Once all bolts are out, the carrier and spare will come free as one assembly. Lower the Bronco carefully and remove the jack stands.

If you want to keep the spare and carrier for future use or resale, store them in a dry location. If you are discarding them, check local recycling rules — many tire shops will accept old tires and carriers for a small fee, and some will recycle them at no charge if you are a customer.

Backup Plans When You Have No Spare

Without a spare tire, you need a reliable backup plan for a roadside flat. The most common options are a tire repair kit, a roadside information membership, or both. A tire repair kit (also called a plug kit or patch kit) costs $15 to $40 and fits in a small bag under your seat. These kits work on punctures in the tread but not on sidewall damage or large tears. They are a temporary fix that gets you to a tire shop, not a permanent solution.

A roadside information membership through AAA, your insurance company, or a service like Better World Club covers towing and tire changes. Most plans cost $50 to $150 per year and cover multiple calls. If you drive remote trails or far from towns, this is worth the cost. Check whether your auto insurance already includes roadside information — many policies do at no extra charge.

Some owners carry a portable air compressor and a plug kit together, which handles most common flats. Others rely on cell service and a towing app like Roadside information or their insurance company's app. The key is knowing your plan before you need it, not scrambling on the side of the road.

Weight Savings and Fuel Economy Impact

A full-size spare tire weighs 35 to 50 pounds, and the carrier, bracket, and mounting hardware add another 15 to 30 pounds, for a total of 50 to 80 pounds depending on your Bronco's generation and tire size. Removing this weight does improve fuel economy, but the gain is modest — typically 0.5 to 1.5 miles per gallon under normal driving. The improvement is more noticeable if you drive highway miles consistently, because highway fuel economy is more sensitive to weight than city driving.

If you tow or carry heavy loads regularly, the weight savings from a spare delete is negligible compared to the load you are already carrying. The real benefit is felt by owners who drive lightly loaded and want every fraction of efficiency they can get. Keep in mind that removing the spare also slightly lowers your Bronco's center of gravity, which can improve handling marginally, though the effect is small enough that most drivers will not notice it.

Resale and Insurance Considerations

When you sell a Bronco with a deleted spare, disclose it to potential buyers upfront. Some buyers will not care; others will see it as a negative because they expect a spare to be included. The resale impact depends on your market and the buyer's priorities. Off-road enthusiasts and weight-conscious owners may view it as a plus; families and long-distance drivers may view it as a minus.

Document the deletion in your maintenance records and include a note in the vehicle's history. If you kept the original spare, carrier, and hardware, offering to include them or sell them separately can sweeten the deal for a buyer who wants to reinstall them. Insurance companies do not typically penalize you for a spare delete, but confirm with your agent if you have questions about coverage.

If you financed or leased your Bronco, check your loan or lease agreement before removing the spare. Some lenders or lease companies require the vehicle to be returned in original condition, which could include the spare tire. Removing it without permission could result in a charge at lease end or a dispute with your lender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting my spare tire void my Bronco's warranty?

No. If you ordered the spare delete from the factory, it is a covered option and does not affect your warranty. If you remove the spare yourself after purchase, Ford will not void your warranty for this alone, but if a frame or body component is damaged during removal, that damage is not covered. Work carefully and consult your manual to avoid damaging mounting points.

Can I reinstall the spare later if I change my mind?

Yes, if you kept the original spare, carrier, and hardware. Bolt them back in place using the same mounting points. If you discarded them, you will need to source a replacement spare, carrier, and hardware from a Ford dealer or salvage yard, which can cost $200 to $400 depending on your Bronco's year and tire size.

What if I get a flat tire on a remote trail with no cell service?

This is the main risk of a spare delete. If you plan to drive remote trails, carry a tire repair kit and a portable air compressor as backup. A plug kit can handle most punctures and get you mobile enough to reach help. For serious off-road use, many owners keep the spare despite the weight penalty.

Does a spare tire delete affect my Bronco's towing capacity?

No. Towing capacity is determined by your engine, transmission, and frame, not by the spare tire. Removing the spare slightly improves your payload capacity (the weight you can carry in the bed and cabin), but does not change how much you can tow behind the vehicle.

Are there any other parts I should remove with the spare to save more weight?

Some owners also remove the jack and lug wrench that come with the spare tire kit, which saves another 5 to 10 pounds. However, if you keep the spare, you need the jack and wrench. If you delete the spare, you no longer need them, so removing them is a logical next step — just store them safely in case you need to reinstall the spare later.