The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer sits in the later body-on-frame era of Ford’s long-running SUV line, balancing family-duty comfort with the tougher stance that kept the Explorer relevant for daily driving, light towing, and weekend use. Tire selection matters here because this exact model year and model can use three different radial sizes depending on sub-model and wheel package: 235/70R16, 245/65R17, or 235/65R18. That makes wheel diameter and trim identification more important than simply shopping by vehicle name. Available choices also range from all-terrain raised white letter options to wide whitewall radials, so appearance and intended use should guide the final decision as much as size.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. All three are radial sizes, but they are split across 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rims, so confirming the wheel on the vehicle comes first before comparing tread style, sidewall treatment, or product type.
Fit(s): Eddie Bauer, Limited, and XLT w/Ironman Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
235/65R18 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size is tied to 18-inch wheel applications and is part of the model’s modern radial fitment. Its role is mainly about matching the correct wheel package rather than choosing among many product variations. This size should be evaluated by confirming the exact sub-model and ensuring the vehicle still has the intended 18-inch wheel setup.
245/65R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer, it serves specific 17-inch wheel applications and is also the only primary size here with an available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 option in raised white letter form. That gives it a more truck-oriented product character than the other sizes shown. It is the right size to consider only after confirming that the Explorer is one of the sub-models equipped with 17-inch wheels.
235/70R16 is a metric radial size that uses a 235-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size supports 16-inch wheel applications and offers the broadest visible product variety, including an all-terrain raised white letter tire as well as wide whitewall radial choices. That makes it especially relevant for owners balancing utility use with a more traditional or customized appearance. The key is confirming that the vehicle still wears the proper 16-inch wheel before selecting among those style differences.
Tire fitment for the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer varies by sub-model and wheel package rather than staying uniform across the lineup. Checking the exact trim matters because this Explorer can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch radial fitments depending on configuration.
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2008 Ford Trucks Explorer Eddie Bauer
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer Eddie Bauer uses either a 235/65R18 or 245/65R17 radial tire depending on the wheel setup. That means the first step is confirming whether the vehicle has 17-inch or 18-inch rims before comparing available tire styles within the correct size.
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer Limited uses the 235/65R18 radial size. Tire selection here is more straightforward than on other sub-models, with the main job being to confirm the 18-inch wheel and then choose a tire that suits the vehicle’s current appearance and road-use priorities.
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer XLT can use either 235/70R16 or 245/65R17 radials, so trim alone is not enough to identify the tire. Wheel diameter should be verified on the vehicle first, especially if wheels have been changed, because the available product styles differ significantly between those two sizes.
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer XLT w/Ironman Pkg. uses the 235/65R18 radial size. That keeps fitment simple, but it is still wise to confirm the vehicle remains on its 18-inch wheels before replacing tires or comparing options with other Explorer sub-models from the same year.
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 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer Tires for Sale
Available Explorer tire choices are concentrated in 245/65R17 and 235/70R16, with BFGoodrich all-terrain options in raised white letter form and 235/70R16 wide whitewall radials from American Classic and Coker Classic. That gives buyers a clear split between truck-style utility and more appearance-driven presentation.
Owners of a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer usually need to sort out the correct tire size by sub-model and wheel diameter first, then compare radial choices by style and use. The questions below focus on fitment, rim size, available product types, and practical inspection points before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
A 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer can use 235/65R18, 245/65R17, or 235/70R16, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel package. All three are radial sizes, so the real difference is not construction type but which wheel diameter is on the vehicle.
That makes trim identification and wheel confirmation the first step before choosing a tire. An Explorer Limited uses 235/65R18, while XLT and Eddie Bauer models can vary, so a quick check of the sidewall on the current tire or the wheel diameter itself helps avoid choosing the wrong size.
What size rim does a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer use?
The 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer uses 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims depending on sub-model and tire size. The matching combinations are 235/70R16 on a 16-inch rim, 245/65R17 on a 17-inch rim, and 235/65R18 on an 18-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the most important fitment checkpoint on this Explorer because the model does not share one universal wheel size across the lineup. Wheel changes over the years are common on SUVs, so the safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel on the vehicle rather than assuming the current setup matches original trim-based fitment.
Do all 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Limited and XLT w/Ironman Pkg. use 235/65R18, while Eddie Bauer can use 235/65R18 or 245/65R17, and XLT can use 235/70R16 or 245/65R17.
That variation means tire shopping by year and model alone is not enough for this Explorer. Checking the exact sub-model helps narrow the options, but wheel diameter still deserves a look because some trims were offered with more than one size, and a previous owner may also have changed the wheels.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Start with the correct primary size for the vehicle’s sub-model and wheel diameter: 235/70R16, 245/65R17, or 235/65R18. After that, the main considerations are intended use, sidewall style, available tire series, and whether the Explorer is being kept in a stock-looking configuration or given a more truck-oriented appearance.
A 235/70R16 Explorer has the broadest visible choice here, including all-terrain raised white letter and wide whitewall radials. Buyers should also compare wheel-width compatibility, load figures at stated pressures, and how the tire’s visual style matches the vehicle before settling on a replacement.
What sidewall styles are available for 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer include RWL and Wide Whitewall, depending on tire size and product line. RWL, or raised white letter, appears on the BFGoodrich all-terrain options, while the 235/70R16 radial choices from American Classic and Coker Classic use a 2.375-inch wide whitewall.
Sidewall style changes the Explorer’s presentation more than the raw fitment itself, especially on a 16-inch application. A raised white letter tire leans toward a more rugged truck look, while a wide whitewall creates a more custom or nostalgic appearance, so the right choice depends on how the vehicle is used and shown.
What brands offer tires for the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Coker Classic all offer applicable tires for the 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer within the sizes shown here. BFGoodrich appears in the all-terrain category, while American Classic and Coker Classic appear in 235/70R16 wide whitewall radial form.
Brand choice should be considered alongside size, sidewall style, and tire series rather than by name alone. The available products serve different purposes visually and functionally, so it makes more sense to decide whether the Explorer needs a truck-style all-terrain look or a more distinctive whitewall presentation first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
A period-style choice for a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer starts with keeping the correct radial size for the sub-model and wheel diameter already on the vehicle. From there, the appearance decision becomes more specific: a raised white letter all-terrain tire creates a more SUV and truck-oriented look, while a 235/70R16 wide whitewall moves in a more customized visual direction.
Because this is a modern-era Explorer rather than an early collector truck, originality questions often come down to how closely the vehicle is being returned to its original presentation. Owners seeking exact appearance accuracy should compare the current setup with original vehicle literature or marque-specific references before choosing a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Construction is simpler on a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer because the primary fitments are all radial, so the visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall treatment and tire character. A raised white letter all-terrain tire looks more aggressive, while a wide whitewall radial creates a more stylized presentation.
That means a restoration-oriented owner should focus on the correct size first and then decide how closely the sidewall appearance should reflect the vehicle’s intended personality. Even within the proper fitment, a change in whitewall or lettering can significantly alter how the Explorer reads at a glance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer even when the tire size matches one of the original applications. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, and body or fender modifications can all change how much clearance is available around the tire.
That matters most on a model like this one because the Explorer already uses multiple wheel diameters across the lineup. Checking actual wheel size, wheel width, and visible clearance at the front suspension and fender openings is a smart step whenever the vehicle’s setup may no longer match its original trim configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires?
Before driving a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm the correct tire size and rim diameter, and make sure inflation pressure matches the tire’s intended use. It is also wise to look over valve stems, wheel balance, and any signs of interference at the fenders or suspension.
A short local test drive can reveal vibration, rubbing, or steering issues before the vehicle is put into regular service. After the first miles, recheck pressure and look for any unusual contact marks, especially if the Explorer has replacement wheels or has moved from one factory size to another over time.
How often should tires on a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer be inspected?
Tires on a 2008 Ford Trucks Explorer should be inspected regularly, with a visual check before routine driving and a closer inspection at service intervals or before longer trips. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, punctures, and any unexplained air loss.
Low-mileage vehicles still need attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth. Pressure should be monitored consistently, and an Explorer that sits for extended periods benefits from occasional movement, clean dry storage, and avoiding prolonged exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone-producing equipment.
