235 75 15 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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235 75 15

9COOP5

Well-Known Member
Joined
September 7, 2015
Messages
145
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City, State
Ohio
Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Exp XLS
2014 Exp XLT
Just wondering how these wheels and tires would fit, and look since they are really nice with only 400 miles on the tires. They came off a Ford Ranger, but my rims are 16” and my tires are 235/70/16. Not sure how these 15” would fit my ‘02 Explorer? Should I just get new 16” tires?
 






Most 1st and 2nd gen Explorers came with 235 75 r15. My 98 XLT has them and they are a little small for my taste but great on the highway. The only difference in your tire is the rim size and 1/2 inch in width. The lug pattern and backspacing should be the same on a ranger as your 02.

I would hold out for a set of 16's unless it is a super cheap deal. I attached a photo of mine. 100% stock with 235 75 r15 and they look tiny!

29216151_1903845412960982_971121019345436672_o.jpg
 






Are they the same height as the 16"? Just wondering if they are not as tall did it mess with your speedo
 






While the vehicle could have different tires than the factory size by now, that size appears to be 235/70/16. 235/75/15 is the same width and as close as it gets to the same height so there would be no real visual difference as far as how much they fill the wheel well. The 15" would actually look a little larger because there's more rubber and less rim.

It would handle slighly sloppier due to the taller sidewall and speedo wouldn't be off enough to bother with getting a new speedo gear to change it. For example at 65MPH speedo reading you'd be going 64.83MPH, though your speedo might already be reading 1MPH above actual speed, or even more since the difference in diameter between new and worn out tires is more than between those two sizes.

I would prefer 16", but mostly to go taller and wider like a 255/70/16 without as much sidewall flex as going that direction on 15" rims. One thing about the 235/75/15 though, is that they're very inexpensive to run. I've had them on my '98 for 20 years and they've done fine.
 






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