The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer arrived as part of a period when SUVs had fully moved into everyday family, utility, and lifestyle use, and the Explorer stood near the center of that shift. Buyers today often approach this generation with a different tire question than a vintage restoration project: not whether it uses bias-ply or radial construction, but which exact 16-inch metric radial size belongs on the specific trim. The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer uses 235/70R16, 245/70R16, or 255/70R16 depending on sub-model. Available choices range from all-terrain raised white letter tires to wide whitewall radials in 235/70R16, so appearance and intended use both matter when selecting a set.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are radial tires for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming the trim and current wheel setup. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the kind of tire you want within the proper size, including all-terrain construction or a more appearance-focused wide whitewall option where available.
245/70R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size serves trims that use a slightly wider 16-inch radial setup than the 235 section tire. Available product choice in this size centers on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling. It is the size to evaluate when the vehicle's trim calls for 245/70R16 and the goal is retaining the correct fitment category on the proper wheel.
Fit(s): Postal, Sport Choice, and Sport Premium 4x4
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
255/70R16 is a metric radial size where 255 is the nominal width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size appears on certain sub-models that use the widest of the three primary 16-inch fitments. The available product offering in this size is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewall treatment. This size should be chosen only after confirming the Explorer's exact trim and wheel setup, especially on models where size variation exists within the Sport line.
Fit(s): Sport Choice, Sport Premium 4x2, Sport Value, XLS, and XLT
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
235/70R16 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. It is one of the most broadly used sizes on the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer and appears across several trims. Product choice is wider here, including the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in raised white letter form as well as American Classic and Coker Classic wide whitewall radials. That makes 235/70R16 especially important for owners balancing everyday road use, period-inspired appearance, or a more traditional SUV presentation.
Tire fitment on the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer is not the same across every sub-model, so trim identification matters before choosing a size. Most versions use a single primary size, but certain Sport configurations introduce variation that makes wheel and sub-model confirmation especially important.
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2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Eddie Bauer
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Eddie Bauer uses a 245/70R16 radial tire. That keeps tire selection fairly straightforward, with the main decision centered on choosing a tire that matches the vehicle's intended road use and confirming that the current wheels remain the correct 16-inch setup.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Limited also uses a 245/70R16 radial tire. Selection comes down to staying with the proper metric size and matching the tire's character to how the vehicle is driven, rather than sorting through multiple primary fitment sizes.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Postal uses a 255/70R16 radial tire. Because this is the widest primary size used on this Explorer range, it is worth confirming both the exact trim and the wheel setup before choosing among the available 16-inch options.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Choice can use either 235/70R16 or 255/70R16 radial tires. That makes this one of the trims where identifying the actual wheel and tire configuration on the vehicle is more important than assuming a single size from the model name alone.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Premium 4x2 uses a 235/70R16 radial tire. Owners in this trim can focus on choosing between available tire styles within that size, including all-terrain and wide whitewall presentations where appearance is part of the decision.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Premium 4x4 uses a 255/70R16 radial tire. Tire selection should start with that exact size, then move to wheel compatibility and the type of use the vehicle sees, especially if it has had any wheel or suspension changes over time.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Value uses a 235/70R16 radial tire. With that fitment established, the buyer can compare available tire styles in the correct size and decide whether the priority is utility-oriented tread character or a more traditional whitewall look.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer XLS uses a 235/70R16 radial tire. That makes size selection straightforward, and the real choice becomes which available tire style best suits the vehicle's current role, wheel setup, and overall appearance.
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer XLT uses a 235/70R16 radial tire. Once that size is confirmed, attention can shift to the type of tire being installed, whether the goal is an all-terrain look or a more distinctive wide whitewall radial presentation.
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 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer Tires for Sale
Available 16-inch Explorer tires center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options in 235/70R16, 245/70R16, and 255/70R16 with raised white letter styling, while 235/70R16 also includes American Classic and Coker Classic wide whitewall radials for a more appearance-driven choice.
These 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer tire FAQs focus on the trim-specific size differences, 16-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, sidewall styles, and the checks worth making before putting an older SUV back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer uses three primary tire sizes: 235/70R16, 245/70R16, and 255/70R16. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, with many XLS, XLT, Sport Value, and Sport Premium 4x2 versions using 235/70R16, Eddie Bauer and Limited using 245/70R16, and some Sport and Postal applications using 255/70R16.
That means the first job is confirming the exact trim and checking the wheels currently on the vehicle. A Sport Choice model deserves extra attention because it can use more than one primary size, so matching the tire to the actual 16-inch wheel setup is more reliable than choosing by model name alone.
What size rim does a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer use?
The tire sizes used on the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer are all built for a 16-inch rim diameter. Whether the vehicle uses 235/70R16, 245/70R16, or 255/70R16, the final number in each size confirms that the tire is intended for a 16-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing actual tire options. If the Explorer has aftermarket wheels, confirm both diameter and width before choosing a tire, since the proper 16-inch size still needs to match the wheel and the vehicle's available clearance.
Why does the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer have more than one tire size?
The 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different fitments. The range includes 235/70R16, 245/70R16, and 255/70R16, and those sizes are tied to specific trims rather than applying across the entire Explorer lineup.
That variation is most important on models such as Sport Choice, where more than one primary size can appear. Instead of assuming all Explorers from 2002 use the same tire, identify the exact sub-model and inspect the current wheel setup so the replacement tire matches the vehicle's intended fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Start with the exact size your 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer uses, because this model range does not share one universal fitment. The proper choice begins with 235/70R16, 245/70R16, or 255/70R16, then moves to the available tire type within that size, including all-terrain radial options and, in 235/70R16, wide whitewall radials.
After size, compare the wheel setup and the way the Explorer is used. A utility-driven vehicle may point you toward an all-terrain style, while a more appearance-focused build may favor a whitewall radial. It also helps to review rim-width compatibility, load figures, and sidewall style before making the final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer tires?
Available sidewall styles for the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer include raised white letter and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires use raised white letter styling, while 235/70R16 also has wide whitewall radial choices from American Classic and Coker Classic.
Sidewall style changes the Explorer's visual character even when the size stays the same. Raised white letters lean toward a more truck and utility-oriented look, while wide whitewalls create a much more distinctive presentation. The key is choosing the sidewall treatment within the correct size for the specific sub-model and wheel setup.
What brands offer tires for the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Tires for the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer are available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Coker Classic. BFGoodrich covers all three primary sizes with the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, while American Classic and Coker Classic appear in 235/70R16 wide whitewall radial options.
Brand choice matters most after the correct tire size has been confirmed for the Explorer's trim. Once size is settled, compare the brand offerings by tire series, sidewall appearance, rim-width specification, and the kind of use the vehicle sees, rather than treating every 16-inch Explorer tire as the same.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
A period-style 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer usually starts with the exact trim-specific size, then narrows to the tire appearance that best suits the vehicle. In 235/70R16, that can include wide whitewall radial options, while other Explorer sizes in this range are represented by BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter styling.
The right choice depends on whether the goal is a traditional SUV look, a more customized visual statement, or a utility-oriented presentation. When exact historical appearance matters, compare the vehicle against original photos, dealer literature, or marque-specific references before settling on a sidewall style or tire series.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
On the 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the appearance difference comes less from changing construction type and more from the tire's sidewall treatment and series. A raised white letter all-terrain tire gives the vehicle a more rugged presentation, while a wide whitewall radial creates a far more stylized look.
That makes visual selection especially important on a restored or carefully preserved Explorer. Even with the correct size in place, sidewall style can shift the vehicle's personality noticeably. Matching the tire to the SUV's intended look is often just as important as matching the tire to the wheel diameter.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer even when the tire size matches a factory-style application. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lifts or lowering, and body or fender changes can all influence clearance around a 235/70R16, 245/70R16, or 255/70R16 tire.
A modified Explorer should be checked at the wheel opening and through the steering range before settling on a replacement tire. It is also smart to confirm that the wheel still uses the right 16-inch diameter and an appropriate width for the chosen tire, especially on trims that originally had size variation.
What should I inspect before driving a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires?
Before driving a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs that the previous tires rubbed or wore unevenly.
A short test drive should include listening for rubbing and feeling for pull, vibration, or unusual steering response. Older SUVs often accumulate wheel changes or suspension wear over time, so looking beyond the tires themselves helps confirm that the new set is working with the vehicle rather than exposing an existing problem.
How often should tires on a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer be inspected?
Tires on a 2002 Ford Trucks Explorer should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Frequent visual checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, punctures, uneven wear, and air loss are important, especially on an older SUV that may sit for long periods or alternate between short local use and longer trips.
Inspection is also a good time to confirm that all four tires still match the intended size for the sub-model. A 2002 Explorer benefits from checking pressure, tread condition, and general tire age before road use, since time and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage on a vehicle of this era.
