I'm about to get a set of alloys for the Aerostar!

[JohnAerostarXLT]

They come from a 2003 Ford Explorer. I may need spacers so they wont rub but I hope not! Im trading a set of Contour SVT wheels for them (they are currently on my Tempo GLS).

Picture of the wheel(s):

 

[BrooklynBay]

What's the size of the tire?

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

235/70/16

I will probably need spacers

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't know if it will fit in the front. It might work in the back. The large size might throw off the speedometer, odometer, cruise control, and transmission shift points if it's not recalibrated for it.

 

[Adam_tinkerer]

I'll quote myself from your other thread.
"I found a tire size calculator at 1010tires.com. And found that a 215 65 R15 was very close to the same size as a 215 70 R14, which was what my van came with. I wouldn't have thought the difference between a 65 and 70 series would be enough, but here we are!"
I think the bolt spacing changed in 01 with the redesigned body also.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I remember that from the other thread. The P235/70/R16 is larger than a P215/65/R15, and a P215/70/R14.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Well I'm open to replacing the tires with something of a lower profile but I figure its a deal for the wheels alone since the tires aren't exactly new. Same with the tires I'm trading him so it's even.

 

[Jose A.]

I just got a set of the original aluminum wheels that came with the 1996 through 1997 Aerostar, including brand new tires, (really new 225/70/14 radials). The owner bought new tires and then the engine went. I got lucky, didn't pay a lot for everything.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Which brand are these tires? I thought that 215 was the largest size for a 14" wheel.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

The alloys on the very last of the vans were 1" wider than the stock 14"'s. I have read this in several places.

I could've bought a set from pull-a-part when I bought my seat, door pannels, etc., awhile back.

 

[Jose A.]

Which brand are these tires? I thought that 215 was the largest size for a 14" wheel.

the new tires say "GRAND AM RADIAL GT" on both sides of the tire.

when I bought my '97 Aerostar it came with the same size tires, (225/70/14), mounted on the factory steel wheels although the tires are wearing out. I'm going to keep one of them to use as a full spare since the old tires are the same size as the new ones, then Craigslist the other 3 wheels and tires and the donut spare.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I always have a hard time trying to find 215 tires. The places I go to never have anything larger than 215. I'm lucky if they even have one or two in stock without special ordering them. Do you have a link for these 225 tires? What's the tread wear rating?

 

[Jose A.]

I always have a hard time trying to find 215 tires. The places I go to never have anything larger than 215. I'm lucky if they even have one or two in stock without special ordering them. Do you have a link for these 225 tires? What's the tread wear rating?

I don't know where they bought them, or where they bought the ones that came with the Aerostar. There is a place in Orlando Craigslist selling tires in every size imaginable, used and new.

where on the tire would it say "tread wear rating"?

 

[Jose A.]

ok found it:

treadwear: 440
traction: A
temperature: B

what does that mean? no clue.

 

[loosenut349]

I had 225/70 16 on the back of my van, the 16" wheels would not fit on the front because the rim offset was too negative( too far inward ). They raised the rear of the van about 4 inches. As for speedo and trans shift point, they were both off of course. The speedo was of by 9 mph( read slower ) and the shift points were much later because of the larger diameter tire. I installed a tach and instead of shifting at 3200, it was shifting at 3950.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Sounds like I really need lower profile tires. And possibly spacers? I dont mind about it being slightly higher, thats not a problem for me. I can deal with the spedo issues as well, but 9 MPH is significant.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

ok found it:

treadwear: 440
traction: A
temperature: B

what does that mean? no clue.

From discounttire.com:

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tire when tested carefully under controlled conditions. For example the useful tread on a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200. However, another tire manufacturer may grade a comparable design 300, so a grade of 150 would last just half as long under their grading scheme. The lesson learned is to not use one manufacturer's grade versus the other, but instead to compare tire grades within a given brand. Actual treadwear performance can vary tremendously according to the tire's real-world use. Variations in driving habits, service practices (most importantly air pressure maintenance), road conditions and climate affect tire life.

Traction grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on asphalt and concrete test surfaces. As of 1997, the traction grades from highest to lowest are "AA","A","B" and "C". A tire graded "AA" may have relatively better traction performance than a tire graded lower, based on straight-ahead braking tests. The grades do not take into consideration the cornering or turning performance of a tire.

Temperature grades represent a tire's resistance to heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled laboratory test conditions. The grades from highest to lowest are "A","B" and "C". The grade "C" corresponds to the minimum performance required by federal safety standard. Therefore, the "A" tire is the coolest running, and even though the "C" tire runs hotter it does not mean it is unsafe. The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.

 

[BrooklynBay]

They should be good over all tires.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

I wonder if these will fit. I honestly have no clue: http://gulfport.craigslist.org/pts/3482122076.html

 

[loosenut349]

Just a quick note, you can safely go 5 % larger than stock with no safety issues. A 215 70 16 tire is 215 MM wide so, 215+5%=10.75. add 10.75 MM to the 215MM and you come up with 225.75MM. obviously, there are no tires of this size so just drop the.75 and use a 225. The 70 is what is called the aspect ratio. 70 means the tires height is 70 % of its width. a 60 series tire means 60% of the width is the height and obviously a lower profile, but wider tire.