The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport sits in the early sport-utility era when midsize SUVs were expected to handle daily road use, light trail duty, and family hauling without losing a truck-based sense of durability. For owners today, that makes tire selection less about vintage construction and more about matching the Passport’s exact wheel and trim setup. This model uses radial tires in two primary sizes, 225/75R15 and 245/70R16, depending on sub-model. Available choices range from whitewall street-oriented radials in 15-inch fitment to a 16-inch raised white letter all-terrain option. The key is confirming the correct sub-model and wheel diameter before focusing on sidewall style, series, or intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. Some versions use a 15-inch radial tire, while others use a 16-inch radial tire, so confirming the exact trim and wheel setup is the first step before comparing sidewall styling, tread character, or product specifications.
225/75R15 is a metric radial size where 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport, this size serves the 15-inch wheel applications and keeps the focus on standard road-oriented radial fitment. Product choices in this size include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. It is the size to evaluate when your Passport carries the 15-inch wheel setup and appearance matters alongside basic fitment.
Fit(s): EX, EX w/aluminum wheels, LX 4x4, and LX 4x4 w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
245/70R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport, this size belongs to the 16-inch wheel applications, so wheel diameter confirmation is essential before selection. The available product in this size is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewall styling, giving it a more truck-oriented visual character than the 15-inch whitewall choices. This is the size to consider when your Passport is equipped with the 16-inch sub-model fitment.
Tire fitment on the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport changes by sub-model, so the exact trim matters before choosing a tire. The main dividing line is wheel diameter, with some versions using a 15-inch radial setup and others using a 16-inch radial setup.
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1996 Honda Trucks Passport DX
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport DX uses the 225/75R15 radial size. That keeps the selection centered on 15-inch road-oriented radial tires, including several whitewall presentation choices for owners who want a more distinctive appearance.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport DX w/aluminum wheels also uses the 225/75R15 radial size. Tire selection stays within the same 15-inch fitment, so the main decision becomes sidewall style, tire series, and confirming wheel width compatibility.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport EX uses the 245/70R16 radial size. That places the focus on the 16-inch wheel setup and a more truck-style tire choice, making wheel confirmation the first step before purchase.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport EX w/aluminum wheels uses the 245/70R16 radial size as well. For this sub-model, the key consideration is matching the existing 16-inch wheel package and evaluating whether the available all-terrain presentation suits the vehicle’s intended use.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x2 uses the 225/75R15 radial size. Owners choosing tires for this version can compare several 15-inch options with different whitewall treatments while staying within the correct primary fitment.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x2 w/aluminum wheels uses the same 225/75R15 radial fitment. That means selection is driven less by size changes and more by appearance, series differences, and the wheel’s actual width.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x4 uses the 245/70R16 radial size. Tire selection for this sub-model starts with the 16-inch wheel requirement and then moves to tread character, sidewall style, and suitability for the way the SUV is driven.
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x4 w/aluminum wheels also uses 245/70R16 radials. The practical takeaway is to confirm the 16-inch wheel package first, then compare the available tire’s dimensions and wheel-width compatibility against the vehicle as equipped.
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 1996 Honda Trucks Passport Tires for Sale
Available 1996 Honda Trucks Passport tire options vary meaningfully by size. The 225/75R15 fitment includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar choices with narrow and wide whitewall treatments, while 245/70R16 is represented by a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.75 Inch Whitewall | 225/75R15
Owners shopping for 1996 Honda Trucks Passport tires usually need to sort out the correct size by sub-model first, then compare wheel diameter, sidewall style, and intended use. These answers focus on fitment, product choice, and practical checks before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport uses either 225/75R15 or 245/70R16 radial tires. The correct size depends on the sub-model, with DX and LX 4x2 versions using 225/75R15, while EX and LX 4x4 versions use 245/70R16.
That means the first step is identifying the exact Passport trim and confirming the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. A 15-inch wheel requires the 225/75R15 fitment, while a 16-inch wheel requires 245/70R16, and any past wheel changes should be checked before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport use?
A 1996 Honda Trucks Passport uses either a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 225/75R15 fitment belongs to 15-inch wheel applications, and the 245/70R16 fitment belongs to 16-inch wheel applications.
Rim diameter is the key fitment checkpoint because the tire bead must match the wheel exactly. Before ordering tires, check the actual wheel on the vehicle rather than assuming it still has the original setup, especially if aluminum wheels, aftermarket wheels, or replacement wheel packages have been installed over time.
Why does the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport have more than one tire size?
The 1996 Honda Trucks Passport has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel packages. Some trims were fitted with 15-inch wheels and use 225/75R15 tires, while others use 16-inch wheels and take 245/70R16 tires.
This is why selecting by year, make, and model alone is not enough on this SUV. The Passport’s trim level and actual wheel diameter need to match the tire size being considered, and that becomes even more important when the vehicle has changed hands or has had wheels replaced at some point.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 225/75R15 tire for a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
For a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport that uses 225/75R15, the main considerations are correct size, radial construction, wheel-width compatibility, and the look you want. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with both narrow and wide whitewall styles.
That makes this fitment more of an appearance and product-selection decision than a construction decision. Compare the wheel-width range against the wheel on the SUV, then choose between a cleaner black-and-chrome-era whitewall presentation or a more understated narrow whitewall depending on how the Passport is driven and displayed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1996 Honda Trucks Passport tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size fitted to the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport. In 225/75R15, available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall, while the 245/70R16 option is available with raised white letters.
Those sidewall differences can change the Passport’s appearance more than many buyers expect. A whitewall treatment gives the 15-inch fitment a more classic road-going presentation, while raised white letters on the 16-inch all-terrain tire create a more truck-focused look, so the right choice depends on your trim, wheels, and visual goals.
What brands offer tires for the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
Tires for the 1996 Honda Trucks Passport are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Brand choice varies by size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 225/75R15 and the 245/70R16 fitment represented by BFGoodrich.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. It helps more to start with the correct sub-model fitment, then compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width specification that best match the wheel package and the way the Passport is actually used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
A period-style 1996 Honda Trucks Passport still needs to start with the correct primary size for the specific sub-model. Once that is settled, the 225/75R15 fitment offers the broadest range of appearance-focused choices, including narrow and wide whitewall radial options.
That makes the 15-inch fitment especially useful for owners who want a more distinctive late-1990s custom or upscale look without leaving the correct basic size. For a more utility-oriented presentation, the 245/70R16 raised white letter all-terrain approach may suit the vehicle better, provided it matches the Passport’s actual trim and wheel setup.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
On a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport, tire construction does not create a bias-ply versus radial appearance decision because the primary fitments are radial. The visible difference comes more from sidewall treatment and tire character, such as whitewall street radials in 225/75R15 versus a raised white letter all-terrain in 245/70R16.
For restoration-minded owners, that means the visual result depends heavily on choosing the right size first and then matching the sidewall style to the vehicle’s intended presentation. A Passport kept close to its original trim and wheel package will usually look most coherent when the tire style matches that same road-oriented or truck-oriented theme.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension lifts or lowering, and body or steering changes can all influence clearance and the way a tire sits on the vehicle.
That is especially important on a Passport that may no longer have its original wheel package. Checking the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the suspension, steering, and fender areas helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the trim on paper but conflicts with the SUV as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport on new tires?
Before driving a 1996 Honda Trucks Passport on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the new tires match the vehicle’s correct size and wheel diameter. It also helps to verify inflation pressure, valve stem condition, and basic suspension and steering health.
A short visual clearance check is worthwhile before regular use. Turn the steering from lock to lock, look for rubbing points near the inner fenders and suspension, and keep an eye on air retention during the first few drives so any mounting or vehicle-condition issue is caught early.
How should tires on a collector 1996 Honda Trucks Passport be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1996 Honda Trucks Passport should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even a low-mileage SUV can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, or slow air loss when it sits for long periods.
Good maintenance also means keeping the Passport away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors when stored. Moving the vehicle occasionally, watching tread wear patterns, and checking for vibration or pull on the road can help catch alignment or tire-condition problems before they become more serious.
