1987 Ford EXP Tires

The 1987 Ford EXP uses two tire sizes, depending on sub-model. The Luxury uses 185/70R14 radial tires, while the Sport uses 195/60R15 radial tires. Both are modern metric radial sizes, but they are not interchangeable primary fitments because they are built around different wheel diameters.

The first thing to confirm is which EXP sub-model is in front of you and whether it still has the correct 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. A car that has been modified over the years may no longer match its original setup, so checking the existing wheel diameter and current tire markings helps prevent ordering the wrong size.

A 1987 Ford EXP uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Luxury pairs with 185/70R14 tires on a 14-inch rim, and the Sport pairs with 195/60R15 tires on a 15-inch rim. The rim diameter is built into the tire size itself, so the final number is the key reference.

That wheel difference is why confirming rim diameter comes before comparing tire brands or sidewall styles. Measuring the wheel or checking the current tire size is the simplest way to verify what is actually on the car, especially if the EXP has had replacement wheels installed during its life.

The 1987 Ford EXP has more than one tire size because the fitment changes by sub-model. The Luxury uses 185/70R14, while the Sport uses 195/60R15. Both are radial sizes, but each was matched to a different wheel diameter and a different overall tire presentation for that version of the car.

That means tire shopping starts with identifying the exact model rather than simply searching by year and make. A Luxury owner should stay focused on 14-inch fitment, while a Sport owner should stay focused on 15-inch fitment, then compare the available series, sidewall styles, and rim-width specifications within that correct size.

Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 185/70R14 for the Luxury or 195/60R15 for the Sport. From there, the useful comparisons are radial tire series, sidewall appearance, brand, and wheel-width compatibility. Those differences shape both the visual character of the car and how closely the tire matches the intended setup.

A buyer choosing for road use should also look at practical details such as maximum load figures where stated, tire weight, and whether the wheel width falls inside the tire’s approved range. Once the fitment is confirmed, the decision becomes whether the EXP should look more understated, more sporty, or more restoration-oriented.

Sidewall choices for the 1987 Ford EXP vary by tire size. In 185/70R14, available styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. In 195/60R15, the range broadens to blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL, which is the raised white letter style often associated with period sporty radial presentation.

That variety gives the EXP very different visual personalities even within the correct size. A blackwall tends to keep the car understated, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter choices create a stronger period look. The right choice depends on whether the car is being kept subtle, restored with era flavor, or presented as a more assertive sport compact.

Tires for the 1987 Ford EXP are available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with 185/70R14 showing the broadest spread and 195/60R15 centered mainly around BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series within the correct size, the sidewall treatment you want on the car, and the wheel-width specifications where they are stated. Once those basics line up, the brand choice becomes part of the overall appearance and usage plan rather than a shortcut.

A period-style 1987 Ford EXP tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size, then moves to the visual treatment that best matches the car. The Luxury’s 185/70R14 options include blackwall and wide whitewall, while the Sport’s 195/60R15 choices add redline and raised white letter presentations alongside blackwall and whitewall styles.

That means the most appropriate look depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universally correct answer. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare the car against marque references, old photos, or surviving examples, while drivers seeking an era-appropriate look can choose the sidewall style that best suits the wheel and trim combination.

On the 1987 Ford EXP, construction is straightforward because both primary fitments are radial. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from sidewall treatment, tread presentation, and the way the tire fills a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel. That keeps the appearance discussion centered on the specific radial selected.

A restored EXP can look notably different with blackwalls than it does with wide whitewalls, redlines, or raised white letters, especially on the Sport model’s 15-inch setup. Matching the tire’s visual style to the car’s trim, wheel design, and restoration goal usually matters more here than construction type, since radial construction is already the baseline fitment.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford EXP even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, suspension alterations, lowering, and body or fender work can all change clearance. That matters on a compact car where fitment margins can be tighter than expected.

An EXP that has been altered should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before settling on a tire. Even a correct 185/70R14 or 195/60R15 needs to match the actual wheel and chassis setup on the car, not just the original sub-model specification shown on paper.

Before driving a 1987 Ford EXP on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated properly, and set inflation pressure to the vehicle’s requirements. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components, especially on a car that may have sat unused for long periods.

A short local test drive is a smart follow-up after installation. Pay attention to rubbing, vibration, pulling, or unusual steering feel, then recheck pressure and lug torque after the first miles. On an older compact like the EXP, catching small fitment or chassis issues early is much easier than troubleshooting them after a longer trip.

Tires on a 1987 Ford EXP should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is collector-owned, driven seasonally, or stored for extended periods. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of air loss. A quick visual check before each drive is sensible, with a more thorough inspection done on a routine schedule.

Low-mileage cars can still age their tires even when the tread looks good, so condition matters as much as wear. Storage environment also plays a role, since heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can shorten tire life. Keeping pressures correct and catching sidewall or tread changes early helps the EXP stay safer and more predictable on the road.