The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero came from the era when compact sport-utility vehicles were becoming serious all-around machines, balancing off-road utility with everyday road manners. Its upright body, truck-based roots, and broad enthusiast appeal make tire choice especially important today, because appearance and intended use can pull in different directions. This Montero uses radial 15-inch fitments, with 225/75R15 or 235/75R15 depending on sub-model. That opens the door to choices ranging from traditional whitewall radials to a raised white letter all-terrain look in the larger size. The right selection starts with the exact sub-model, then moves to sidewall style, tire character, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. Both are radial tires for 15-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether your Montero takes 225/75R15 or 235/75R15. Once that is settled, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether you want a more traditional whitewall presentation or a more utility-focused look.
225/75R15 is a metric radial size in which 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero, this size suits sub-models that use the narrower of the two primary fitments while retaining modern radial construction. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with narrow and wide whitewall treatments across several series. It is the right size to evaluate when your Montero calls for the smaller 15-inch fitment and appearance matters as much as road use.
Fit(s): LS, SP w/3.0L Eng., Sport, and w/3.0L Eng.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
235/75R15 is a metric radial size where 235 reflects the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 designates the wheel diameter in inches. For 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero sub-models that use this larger primary size, it supports a broader range of visual and use-oriented choices within the same basic fitment. Available options include whitewall radials from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar, along with a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in raised white letter form. This is the size to confirm if your Montero has the larger factory-style 15-inch tire specification.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero because tire size is split between two radial 15-inch options. Confirming the exact trim or engine designation first keeps you from choosing between 225/75R15 and 235/75R15 by appearance alone.
1
1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero Base
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero Base uses the 225/75R15 radial fitment. That keeps the tire search focused on whitewall radial choices in the correct size, while wheel width and the vehicle's current setup should still be checked before final selection.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero LS uses the 235/75R15 radial size. That opens a wider spread of product character, from traditional whitewall radials to a raised white letter all-terrain option, as long as the 15-inch wheel setup matches the tire's requirements.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero SP uses the 225/75R15 radial tire size. Tire choice here is less about changing dimensions and more about choosing the right sidewall presentation and series for a road-going, restoration-oriented, or collector-style Montero.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero SP w/3.0L Eng. uses 235/75R15 radials. That makes it important to stay with the larger primary size for this configuration, then compare available sidewall styles, rim-width compatibility, and tire type for the way the truck is used.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero Sport uses the 235/75R15 radial fitment. Selection comes down to whether you want a classic whitewall look or a more truck-oriented presentation, while still confirming wheel width and clearance on the vehicle itself.
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero w/3.0L Eng. uses the 235/75R15 radial size. That means the larger of the two primary Montero fitments applies, so the next step is comparing sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility rather than moving between sizes.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero tires center on 225/75R15 and 235/75R15 radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. The strongest points of comparison are sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width range, with narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter choices.
Showing 6 of 17
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.75 Inch Whitewall | 225/75R15
Common 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero tire questions usually come down to the correct sub-model size, 15-inch rim fitment, whitewall versus RWL appearance, and what to inspect before putting a vintage SUV back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
A 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero uses either 225/75R15 or 235/75R15, depending on the exact sub-model. Base and SP models use 225/75R15, while LS, Sport, w/3.0L Eng., and SP w/3.0L Eng. use 235/75R15. Both are radial tire sizes built for 15-inch rims.
The important step is matching the tire size to the specific Montero configuration instead of choosing by appearance alone. A 15-inch wheel is common across both sizes, but the section width and overall tire dimensions are different, so the sub-model and current wheel setup should be confirmed before making a final tire choice.
What size rim does a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero use?
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 225/75R15 and 235/75R15. That shared rim diameter simplifies the first level of fitment, since both sizes are built around the same 15-inch wheel diameter even though they are not the same tire.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing different radial products within the same size, and many Monteros have seen wheel changes over the years. Measuring the actual wheel on the vehicle helps prevent choosing a tire whose recommended wheel range does not match your setup.
Why does the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. Some versions use 225/75R15, while others use 235/75R15, even though all of them use radial construction on 15-inch rims. The difference is tied to the specific Montero configuration rather than a universal one-size-fits-all setup.
That means the right starting point is the exact trim or engine designation on the vehicle. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the remaining decision is easier and shifts toward tire style, series, and wheel compatibility. This matters especially on older SUVs, where replacement wheels or previous tire changes may no longer match the original-size pattern.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero sub-model, since some use 225/75R15 and others use 235/75R15. After size, compare tire construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, load capacity, and the wheel-width range that each product is built to work with.
The best choice depends on how the Montero is actually used and how you want it to look. A whitewall radial gives a more traditional presentation, while the raised white letter all-terrain option in 235/75R15 leans more toward truck character. Wheel condition, suspension height, and the vehicle's current stance are all worth checking before deciding.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles, depending on tire size and product line. The 225/75R15 options stay focused on whitewall presentations, while 235/75R15 includes both whitewall radials and a raised white letter all-terrain choice.
That makes sidewall style one of the main visual decisions once the correct size is confirmed. Whitewalls can suit a more restoration-oriented or period-style Montero, while raised white letters create a more utility-driven look. Appearance should still be balanced against the product's wheel-width requirements and the way the truck is driven and displayed.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
Available brands for the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. Brand availability depends on whether your Montero uses 225/75R15 or 235/75R15, and the mix also changes by tire series and sidewall style within each size.
Brand alone should not be the only filter. It helps to compare the full tire package, including size, sidewall treatment, series character, rim-width range, and load figure at the stated pressure. On a vehicle like the Montero, the right tire often comes down to matching the visual style and wheel setup just as carefully as the name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
A period-style 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero usually starts with the correct primary size for the specific sub-model, then moves to a radial with a traditional sidewall treatment. Whitewall options in both 225/75R15 and 235/75R15 create a more vintage presentation than a modern truck tire, while still keeping radial construction.
The appearance that feels right depends on the truck's role and finish. A cleaner, more restored Montero may suit narrow or wide whitewalls, while a more trail-oriented look may point elsewhere. Exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific references or period photos, since correct size does not automatically define exact original appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
On the 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero, the primary fitments are already radial, so the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from sidewall style and tire series. Narrow whitewalls, wide whitewalls, and raised white letters each change the truck's visual character in a noticeable way.
That matters on a restored SUV because tires strongly influence stance and period impression. A whitewall radial can give the Montero a more refined late-1980s look, while an RWL all-terrain reads more rugged and truck-oriented. The most convincing result usually comes from matching the tire's visual style to the vehicle's trim, finish, and intended use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lifts or lowering, and body or fender alterations can all change how a 225/75R15 or 235/75R15 tire sits on the vehicle.
That is why the actual wheel and vehicle setup should be checked before settling on a replacement tire. Diameter alone does not tell the whole story, and an older SUV may no longer be running its original wheels. Steering clearance, suspension travel, and visible tire-to-body spacing are all worth reviewing before road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the wheel width falls within the tire's usable range. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition before putting miles on the vehicle.
A short inspection drive is a smart next step. Watch for rubbing during turns, listen for contact over bumps, and confirm that inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. On an older Montero, suspension wear or alignment issues can show up quickly after a tire change, so early rechecking helps catch problems before they grow.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Mitsubishi Trucks Montero should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss during storage. Even when tread looks good, low-use collector vehicles can age their tires through time, temperature swings, and long stationary periods.
Storage conditions make a real difference on a vintage SUV. Keeping the Montero away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, while moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce flat spotting from sitting too long. A careful visual inspection before each season or longer drive is a sensible habit.