2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac Tires

The 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac uses four tire sizes: 255/50R20, 235/65R18, 235/70R16, and 245/65R17. All are radial sizes, but they do not apply across every version of the truck. Limited models can use either 18-inch or 20-inch fitments depending on configuration, while XLT models use either 16-inch or 17-inch sizes depending on whether the Appearance Package is present.

The practical step is to identify the exact sub-model and then confirm the wheel diameter already on the truck. Looking only at the model name is not enough here, because two Explorer Sport Tracs from the same year can use different sizes. If the truck has aftermarket wheels, that makes physical verification even more important before replacing tires.

A 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac can use 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch rims depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 235/70R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, 245/65R17 uses a 17-inch rim, 235/65R18 uses an 18-inch rim, and 255/50R20 uses a 20-inch rim. All of these are radial tire applications.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before choosing tires for this truck. Similar Sport Trac trims can sit on different wheel packages, and the tire size must match the wheel diameter exactly. A quick sidewall check usually confirms the installed size, but wheel changes from a previous owner are another reason to confirm the actual setup on the vehicle.

The 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac has more than one tire size because different trims, drivetrains, and appearance packages used different wheel-and-tire combinations. Limited models are associated with both 18-inch and 20-inch fitments, the standard XLT uses 235/70R16, and the XLT with Appearance Package uses 245/65R17. The truck was offered with distinct visual and equipment combinations rather than one universal tire setup.

That means replacement tires should be chosen from the actual wheel package on the truck, not from the year and model name alone. The sidewall marking on the current tire and the wheel diameter are the fastest checks to make. Once that is confirmed, the next decision becomes style and intended use rather than guessing between incompatible sizes.

Start with the role the truck plays, because 235/70R16 for the 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac is available in more than one style. BFGoodrich offers an All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, while American Classic and Coker Classic offer wide whitewall radial choices. All share the same basic size, but they create very different visual character and use-case emphasis.

Rim-width compatibility is worth comparing before narrowing the choice. The available 235/70R16 products also vary in load figures, weight, and sidewall treatment, so a daily-driven truck may lead to a different decision than a personalized or appearance-focused one. Matching the tire to the actual 16-inch wheel and the truck's intended presentation usually makes the decision much clearer.

The available sidewall styles for the 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac include RWL and Wide Whitewall on the sizes represented here. RWL means raised white letters and 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. Those are very different appearance directions for the same basic vehicle.

Choosing between them depends less on fitment than on the look you want the truck to carry. Raised white letters give the Sport Trac a more truck-oriented, utility-minded presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a custom or retro-inspired effect. Once the correct tire size is confirmed, sidewall style becomes one of the most visible ways to shape the truck's personality.

BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Coker Classic all appear in the available tire choices for the 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac sizes shown here. BFGoodrich covers the truck-style all-terrain offerings, while American Classic and Coker Classic appear in the 235/70R16 fitment with wide whitewall radial options. The brand mix reflects different appearance goals as much as different tire categories.

Brand choice should still begin with correct size and wheel diameter, because not every brand appears in every Sport Trac fitment. After that, compare sidewall treatment, tire series, load specifications, and rim-width range to see which option suits the truck best. A buyer looking for a more traditional custom look may prioritize different details than one keeping an XLT in utility-focused trim.

A period-style choice for a 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac starts with keeping the correct size for the exact sub-model, since this truck used several different wheel diameters. Once that is settled, the visual direction matters. A BFGoodrich raised white letter all-terrain keeps a distinctly truck-oriented early-2000s look, while the 235/70R16 wide whitewall radials move the truck toward a more custom presentation.

The right answer depends on whether the goal is stock-like visual balance, personalized styling, or a retro-flavored build. Tire size should stay true to the truck's actual wheel package before appearance details are chosen. For buyers chasing exact showroom-era presentation, period photos, original brochures, and marque-specific references are still the best way to confirm what look suits a particular Sport Trac build.

On the 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice is less about bias-ply versus radial appearance and more about how sidewall design changes the truck's visual character. In the available selections, the major appearance difference comes from raised white letter all-terrain styling versus wide whitewall radial styling rather than from switching between construction types.

That makes size and sidewall treatment the main restoration or presentation decisions. A truck kept close to its original-era road-going image will usually benefit from a tire that looks proportionate to the correct wheel diameter and trim level. A custom-oriented build can take a different path, but the tire should still preserve proper clearance and visual balance within the wheel openings.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac even when the replacement tire matches one of the original size codes. Wheel swaps can change width or offset, suspension changes can alter clearance, and appearance upgrades may move the truck away from its original trim-specific setup. That matters on this model because it already spans 16-inch through 20-inch fitments.

A truck that has been lowered, lifted, or fitted with aftermarket wheels should be checked more carefully than one with an untouched factory-style setup. Steering clearance, fender space, and actual wheel diameter are the first things to verify. Matching the tire size to the current hardware on the vehicle is more useful than assuming every Explorer Sport Trac still carries its original wheel package.

Before driving a 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the truck's actual rim diameter, and check that all four tires are properly seated and inflated. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components for looseness or wear, especially on a truck that may have seen utility use or wheel changes over time.

A short local drive is the best early check for vibration, rubbing, or pulling that was not obvious in the shop. After that first outing, recheck inflation and give the sidewalls and tread a quick visual review. Any unusual contact marks inside the fenders or on suspension parts deserve attention right away before the truck is driven farther or loaded.

Tires on a 2009 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport Trac should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. Check them before longer trips and at normal intervals during ownership for pressure loss, irregular wear, cuts, cracking, bulges, and damage from curb contact or road debris. That applies whether the truck is used as a daily driver or spends long stretches parked between outings.

Consistent inspection matters because problems often show up first as small changes in wear pattern or sidewall condition. A Sport Trac with infrequent use can age tires without putting many miles on them, while one with modifications may reveal clearance or alignment issues through the tread. Keeping an eye on condition over time helps catch those issues before they turn into bigger road-use concerns.