The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee sits in the era when the Grand Cherokee had already established itself as a more refined, road-friendly SUV without giving up the stance and utility buyers expected from a Jeep. Tire choice on this model is tied closely to trim and wheel package, with radial fitments including 225/75R15, 245/70R15, and 225/70R16. That means the decision is less about vintage bias-ply versus radial construction and more about confirming the correct sub-model and rim diameter, then choosing the right look and use case. Whitewall touring-style options appear in 15-inch sizes, while the 16-inch fitment takes on a more utility-focused character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee
The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. All of them are radial fitments, but they do not all use the same rim size, so the first step is confirming whether the vehicle has 15-inch or 16-inch wheels and then matching that to the proper trim-level fitment.
225/75R15 is a metric radial size in which 225 indicates the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee, this size is one of the 15-inch radial fitments used on certain Laredo configurations. Available choices lean toward traditional street-oriented styling, including wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar. It is the right size to evaluate when the vehicle carries the correct 15-inch wheel and the goal is a more classic touring-style presentation.
245/70R15 is also a metric radial size, with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee, this size belongs to specific 15-inch Laredo applications and represents a different fitment choice than the narrower 225/75R15. Its practical significance is that wheel diameter alone does not settle the decision on every Laredo, since both 15-inch sizes appear within that trim family. This size should be matched carefully to the vehicle's actual wheel and configuration before choosing a replacement tire.
225/70R16 is a metric radial size that uses a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch rim. On the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee, this fitment is associated with the Limited and immediately changes the wheel-diameter requirement compared with the 15-inch sizes. The available product selection shown here takes a different direction from the whitewall 15-inch options, with a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in raised white letter form. This is the size to consider when the vehicle retains its proper 16-inch wheel setup and the intended look is more truck- or utility-oriented.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee because tire size is not shared across the full range. Laredo models use 15-inch tire fitments, while the Limited uses a 16-inch size, so confirming the exact trim and wheel setup is the first step before comparing tires.
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1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee Laredo
The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee Laredo uses radial tires and can be fitted with either of two 15-inch sizes. That makes wheel confirmation only part of the process, since the exact Laredo setup still needs to be matched before choosing between traditional whitewall-style replacements or another 15-inch option.
The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee Limited uses a 16-inch radial tire fitment rather than either of the 15-inch Laredo sizes. Tire selection here starts with confirming the 16-inch wheel, then choosing a product that suits the vehicle's intended road use and visual style.
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 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee Tires for Sale
Available Grand Cherokee tire choices vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation. The 15-inch fitments include whitewall radial options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, while the 16-inch fitment shown here uses 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 of a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee usually need to sort out trim-level tire size, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, and the difference between whitewall touring-style choices and more utility-focused radial options before selecting a tire.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
A 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee uses one of three radial tire sizes: 225/75R15, 245/70R15, or 225/70R16. The correct size depends on the sub-model and wheel package, with Laredo applications using 15-inch sizes and the Limited using a 16-inch size.
The key is to confirm both the trim and the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle before choosing a replacement. Some Grand Cherokees may have had wheel changes over time, so checking the tire sidewall, wheel itself, and overall clearance is more useful than assuming every 1996 model uses the same size.
What size rim does a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee use?
The 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee uses either a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 225/75R15 and 245/70R15 fitments use 15-inch wheels, while the 225/70R16 fitment uses a 16-inch wheel.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch wheel, and vice versa. Rim width also matters once the diameter is settled, especially when comparing replacement products with different approved wheel-width ranges or different intended visual styles.
Do all 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Laredo models use 15-inch fitments, while the Limited uses 225/70R16 on a 16-inch wheel, so tire selection changes with the trim level.
That difference affects more than the size printed on the sidewall. It changes the required wheel diameter and can also change the kinds of tires available, from whitewall touring-style radials in 15-inch sizes to a raised-white-letter all-terrain option in the 16-inch fitment shown here.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact Grand Cherokee sub-model and wheel diameter, because this model uses more than one radial fitment. After that, compare the tire's intended character, whether that means a traditional whitewall presentation for a 15-inch setup or a more truck-oriented all-terrain style on the 16-inch fitment.
Rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and the vehicle's actual use all matter once the basic fitment is confirmed. A Grand Cherokee used mainly for road driving may call for a different look and construction emphasis than one wearing the 16-inch setup and expected to keep a more utility-focused appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee tires?
Sidewall style varies by size. In 225/75R15, available options include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall designs, while the 225/70R16 fitment shown here uses an RWL, or raised white letter, sidewall on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
That gives the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee two distinct visual directions depending on the wheel and tire size. Whitewalls create a more traditional road-oriented presentation, while raised white letters lean toward a more rugged SUV and truck look, so appearance can be matched to the vehicle's trim and overall character.
What brands offer tires for the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
Available brands for the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Brand choice depends on the tire size, since the 15-inch and 16-inch fitments do not share the same assortment.
The most useful way to compare them is by size first, then by tire series and sidewall style rather than by brand name alone. On the 15-inch side, the selection centers on whitewall radial options, while the 16-inch fitment shown here takes a more all-terrain, raised-white-letter direction.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
A period-style direction for a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee starts with keeping the correct size for the trim and wheel diameter, then choosing a tire that matches the look you want. On 15-inch applications, whitewall radials offer the strongest restoration-oriented appearance among the available options shown here.
The best visual result usually comes from treating size, wheel, and sidewall style as one decision rather than picking a tread or brand first. For an originality-focused project, period photos, sales literature, and marque-specific references are worth checking before settling on a particular whitewall width or sidewall presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
On the 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee, primary fitment is already radial, so the appearance difference comes more from tire size and sidewall style than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. A whitewall radial on a 15-inch wheel creates a noticeably different presentation from a raised-white-letter all-terrain on the 16-inch fitment.
That means restoration appearance depends heavily on matching the tire to the correct trim-level character. A Laredo wearing a traditional whitewall style gives off a different visual message than a Limited on 16-inch raised-white-letter tires, even though both are using proper radial construction for this generation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee even when the replacement tire is one of the correct original sizes. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body alterations can change the clearance picture enough to make a normally correct size require a closer check.
That is especially important on a model with both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments in the same model year. A Grand Cherokee that has been changed from its original wheel package should have wheel diameter, width, and surrounding clearance confirmed before a new tire is selected or mounted.
What should I inspect before driving a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size, and check inflation pressure carefully. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to work around worn parts or obvious alignment issues.
A short clearance check at full steering lock is worthwhile, especially if the Grand Cherokee has wheel or ride-height changes. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, uneven contact, or vibration so small fitment problems are caught early.
How should tires on a collector 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee be maintained?
Collector-use tires on a 1996 Jeep Trucks Grand Cherokee should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and any change in ride feel. Vehicles that are driven infrequently can show age-related problems long before the tread is worn, so visual inspection matters as much as mileage.
Storage conditions make a difference as well. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle occasionally can help prevent long-term flat spotting on low-use Grand Cherokees.
