The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport sits in the era when midsize SUVs were becoming everyday family transportation without giving up light-truck practicality. Its shared pickup-based roots gave it a more traditional SUV character than many later crossovers, so tire choice still plays a big role in stance, ride, and intended use. This model uses radial tires, but fitment splits between 225/75R15 and 245/70R16 depending on the exact version and wheel setup. Available choices range from traditional whitewall-style 15-inch options to a more truck-oriented BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in 16-inch fitment. The key is matching the correct size to the sub-model before comparing appearance, load capacity, and road-use goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport
Two tire sizes apply to the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport, and the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Some versions use a 15-inch wheel with 225/75R15 tires, while others use a 16-inch wheel with 245/70R16 tires. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to the kind of tire you want within that fitment, including sidewall appearance for 15-inch applications or a more utility-focused tread choice for 16-inch applications.
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 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport, this size is used on 16-inch applications and supports a more truck-oriented fitment profile. Available product choice centers on BFGoodrich in the All Terrain TA KO2 series with raised white letter styling. This size is the one to evaluate carefully when the Passport has the larger-wheel setup or a configuration intended for more rugged use.
225/75R15 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport, it belongs to the 15-inch wheel fitment used on specific LX 4x2 configurations. This size has the broadest appearance variety, with options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, including narrow and wide whitewall treatments across several radial series. It is the size to focus on when preserving a more traditional look matters as much as basic road fitment.
Sub-model fitment on the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport is not one-size-fits-all, because tire selection follows both trim and wheel package. Checking the exact EX or LX version, along with 4x2 or 4x4 and whether aluminum wheels are present, is the easiest way to avoid choosing the wrong rim diameter.
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1997 Honda Trucks Passport EX
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport EX uses the 245/70R16 radial fitment. That points the tire search toward 16-inch compatibility and a more utility-minded selection rather than the whitewall-focused 15-inch choices.
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport EX w/aluminum wheels also uses 245/70R16 radial tires. Tire selection starts with the same 16-inch fitment check, then moves to tread character, load specification, and overall intended use.
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x2 uses the 225/75R15 radial size. That opens the door to several 15-inch radial choices, especially for owners who want a traditional whitewall presentation on a road-driven SUV.
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x2 w/aluminum wheels remains on the 225/75R15 radial fitment. The main decision is not a different size, but which 15-inch radial best matches the vehicle's appearance and use.
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x4 uses 245/70R16 radial tires. That makes wheel diameter confirmation especially important before comparing options, since this fitment differs from the 15-inch LX 4x2 versions.
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport LX 4x4 w/aluminum wheels also uses the 245/70R16 radial size. Tire choice here centers on the correct 16-inch fitment and whether the vehicle is being kept for everyday road use or more truck-like service.
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 1997 Honda Trucks Passport Tires for Sale
Available 1997 Honda Trucks Passport tire choices vary by size and purpose. The 15-inch 225/75R15 fitment includes several radial options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while the 16-inch 245/70R16 fitment is represented by BFGoodrich's All Terrain TA KO2 with raised white letters.
These 1997 Honda Trucks Passport FAQs focus on identifying the correct tire size by sub-model, understanding 15-inch versus 16-inch fitment, comparing available radial choices, and checking wheels, condition, and clearance before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
A 1997 Honda Trucks Passport uses either 245/70R16 or 225/75R15, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. EX models and LX 4x4 models use 245/70R16, while LX 4x2 models use 225/75R15. Both are radial tire fitments, but they do not share the same rim diameter.
The practical step is confirming the exact Passport version before comparing tires. Checking the current wheel diameter on the vehicle is especially important, because the difference between 15-inch and 16-inch fitment changes the tire size entirely and narrows the available product choices.
What size rim does a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport use?
The 1997 Honda Trucks Passport uses either a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 225/75R15 fitment belongs to 15-inch applications, while the 245/70R16 fitment belongs to 16-inch applications. Rim diameter is part of the tire size itself, so it has to match exactly.
That makes wheel confirmation the first fitment check, especially on older SUVs that may have changed hands or received replacement wheels. Looking at the current tire sidewall and measuring the wheel setup can prevent ordering a correct tire size for the wrong rim diameter.
Do all 1997 Honda Trucks Passport sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1997 Honda Trucks Passport sub-models do not all use the same tire size. EX and LX 4x4 versions use 245/70R16, while LX 4x2 versions use 225/75R15. Aluminum wheel versions keep the same size as their corresponding base sub-model in this lineup.
That distinction matters because tire selection is tied directly to the sub-model and wheel diameter, not just the model name. A buyer who starts with the wrong trim can end up comparing whitewall-oriented 15-inch radials when the vehicle actually needs a 16-inch truck-style fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
Start with the correct size for the exact Passport sub-model: 225/75R15 for LX 4x2 versions or 245/70R16 for EX and LX 4x4 versions. After that, compare radial construction details such as rim-width compatibility, load capacity, sidewall treatment, and the overall character of the tire.
The 15-inch fitment gives more appearance-focused choices, especially for owners who want a whitewall presentation, while the 16-inch fitment is more centered on a truck-style all-terrain option. Matching the tire to how the Passport is actually used will usually narrow the field faster than brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1997 Honda Trucks Passport tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 225/75R15, the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport is available with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments. In 245/70R16, the available option uses RWL, or raised white letters, which gives the tire a more utility-oriented appearance.
That means sidewall choice is closely tied to sub-model and wheel diameter, not just personal taste. Owners of 15-inch LX 4x2 versions have the broadest appearance flexibility, while 16-inch EX and LX 4x4 versions should focus first on the correct fitment and intended driving use.
What brands offer tires for the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
Available brands for the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar. The 225/75R15 size has the widest brand spread, while the 245/70R16 fitment is represented by BFGoodrich in the All Terrain TA KO2 series.
Brand is only one part of the decision. It helps more to compare which brand offers the right size, sidewall appearance, rim-width compatibility, and load specification for the specific Passport configuration, especially since the two primary sizes serve noticeably different vehicle setups.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
A period-style choice starts with the original fitment pattern for the exact sub-model, so the first decision is 225/75R15 versus 245/70R16. Among those, the 225/75R15 size offers the strongest restoration-oriented appearance options because it is available in narrow and wide whitewall radial designs.
That approach suits an owner who wants the Passport to carry a more era-appropriate late-1990s custom or dealer-accessory look rather than a purely contemporary replacement appearance. Exact originality questions should still be checked against vehicle-specific historical references if precise restoration detail matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
On the 1997 Honda Trucks Passport, the primary fitments are radial, so the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from sidewall treatment and tread character. A 225/75R15 whitewall radial gives a very different visual impression than a 245/70R16 raised-white-letter all-terrain tire.
That makes the sub-model and wheel diameter especially important for restoration planning. A buyer aiming for a cleaner street presentation will likely focus on the 15-inch whitewall choices, while a more rugged late-1990s SUV look lines up better with the 16-inch all-terrain style.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport even when the size itself is correct for the original sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lifts or lowering, and body or fender changes can all influence clearance and final tire choice.
A Passport that has been changed from stock should be checked at the wheel, steering, and suspension level before settling on a tire. Turning clearance, full-compression space, and actual wheel dimensions matter just as much as the number molded into the sidewall.
What should I inspect before driving a 1997 Honda Trucks Passport on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the new tires are mounted in the right size for the sub-model, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel mounting condition.
A short test drive should include listening for rubbing, checking steering response, and looking again for any contact at full lock. On an older SUV, it is also smart to inspect suspension wear, alignment condition, and any signs that previous wheel changes may affect tire clearance.
How should tires on a collector-era 1997 Honda Trucks Passport be maintained?
Tires on a low-use 1997 Honda Trucks Passport should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the tread still looks good. Proper inflation matters during storage and regular driving alike, because underinflation can age a tire poorly and affect how the SUV sits and steers.
Storage conditions also matter on a vehicle that sees limited mileage. Keeping the Passport away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and occasional movement can reduce flat-spotting during long periods of inactivity.
