The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer sits in the modern three-row SUV era, blending family-duty practicality with the more substantial stance and wheel packages that became common in the segment. Tire choice on this Explorer is closely tied to trim level, because it uses three different radial sizes: 245/65R17, 245/60R18, and 255/50R20. That means the first step is confirming whether the vehicle is a Base, Limited, Sport, or XLT and checking which wheel diameter is actually on it. For buyers comparing options, the decision is less about vintage-style construction and more about matching the correct metric radial size, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Base models use a 17-inch setup, Limited and Sport models use a 20-inch setup, and XLT models can use either an 18-inch or 20-inch tire. Before choosing a tire, confirm the trim and verify the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle.
A 245/65R17 tire uses a 245-millimeter section width, a 65-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size is part of the modern radial fitment used on the Base model. Available product selection in this fitment includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls, giving it a more rugged look than a standard street-oriented SUV tire. This size is the right starting point for owners who want to keep the original wheel diameter and confirm compatibility with a 17-inch Explorer setup.
A 255/50R20 tire has a 255-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim diameter. This is the primary size used on the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Limited and Sport, and it also appears on some XLT configurations. Its lower-profile format gives the buyer a different selection path than the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes, so wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before comparing products. This size matters most when the vehicle already carries the larger 20-inch wheel package and the goal is to stay with that trim-specific fitment.
A 245/60R18 tire combines a 245-millimeter section width with a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer, this size is used on certain XLT configurations rather than across the full model line. It sits between the 17-inch and 20-inch Explorer fitments, so it is important not to assume interchangeability based only on similar section width. This size should be evaluated by owners who have confirmed an 18-inch wheel and want to keep the fitment matched to that specific XLT setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer because tire size changes with trim and wheel package. Base, Limited, Sport, and XLT models do not all share the same size, so identifying the exact sub-model and checking the installed wheel diameter should come first.
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2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Base
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Base uses the 245/65R17 radial size. For this trim, the tire decision centers on staying with the 17-inch fitment and comparing product style and intended use rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Limited uses the 255/50R20 radial size. Tire selection for this trim starts with confirming the 20-inch wheel package, then choosing a tire that matches the vehicle's wheel setup and expected road use.
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Sport also uses the 255/50R20 radial size. That keeps fitment straightforward as long as the vehicle still has its 20-inch wheels, with the main focus shifting to product choice within the correct metric radial size.
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer XLT can use either 245/60R18 or 255/50R20, depending on the wheel setup. This makes wheel confirmation especially important before replacing tires, since both sizes are radial but they are built for different rim diameters.
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 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Tires for Sale
Current product selection is centered on the 245/65R17 size, with a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 option that combines radial construction, raised white letter sidewalls, and a 7.0- to 8.0-inch rim-width range.
These FAQs focus on 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer tire size by sub-model, wheel-diameter differences, product selection, and the fitment checks that matter before putting the vehicle back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer?
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer uses three primary tire sizes: 245/65R17, 245/60R18, and 255/50R20. The correct size depends on the sub-model and wheel package. Base models use 245/65R17, Limited and Sport models use 255/50R20, and XLT models can use either 245/60R18 or 255/50R20.
That makes trim identification and wheel confirmation the two most important first steps. A quick look at the tire sidewall or wheel diameter usually settles the question, especially on XLT models. Similar overall dimensions do not make these sizes interchangeable, because each one is built for a different rim diameter.
What size rim does a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer use?
A 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer can use 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch rims depending on the sub-model. The 245/65R17 size uses a 17-inch rim, the 245/60R18 size uses an 18-inch rim, and the 255/50R20 size uses a 20-inch rim.
Wheel diameter should always be confirmed before tire replacement, since the Explorer does not use one universal rim size across the model range. The XLT is especially important to check because it appears with both 18-inch and 20-inch fitments. Reading the current tire size is often the simplest way to verify the wheel setup.
Why does the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer have more than one tire size?
The 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel packages. Base models use 245/65R17, Limited and Sport models use 255/50R20, and XLT models can be equipped with either 245/60R18 or 255/50R20.
That variation means tire replacement is tied to the exact trim and the actual wheels on the vehicle, not just the year and model name. It is common for used SUVs to have had wheels changed over time, so checking the installed size on the sidewall and confirming rim diameter helps prevent ordering the wrong fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/65R17 tire for a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Start with the correct size, radial construction, and the wheel setup on the vehicle. For the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer Base, 245/65R17 is the primary fitment, and available choices in this size can differ by tread character, sidewall treatment, load capacity, and rim-width specification.
A BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is available in this fitment with raised white letter sidewalls, a 2,405-pound maximum load capacity at 65 psi, and a 7.0- to 8.0-inch rim-width range. That makes it important to compare not just size, but also how the tire's appearance and intended use align with the Explorer's wheel and driving setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer tires?
The available sidewall style in the current 245/65R17 product selection for the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer is RWL, or raised white letter. That style gives the tire a more pronounced visual presence than a plain black sidewall and is often associated with truck and SUV all-terrain tire styling.
Sidewall choice affects appearance more than basic fitment, but it still matters to buyers who want the Explorer to look closer to a street SUV or more like a rugged utility vehicle. Once the correct size and wheel diameter are confirmed, sidewall treatment becomes one of the easiest ways to tailor the vehicle's presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer?
The current product selection for the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer includes BFGoodrich in the 245/65R17 size. That option appears in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, which is a radial tire with a more aggressive truck-oriented character than a standard highway-style tire.
Brand is only one part of the decision, especially on a vehicle with multiple sub-model tire sizes. Correct size, wheel diameter, and the way the Explorer is actually used should come first. After that, comparing series, sidewall style, load rating, and rim-width compatibility gives a more useful buying picture than brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer?
A period-style choice for a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer starts with keeping the correct trim-based tire size and wheel diameter intact. Since this is a modern SUV with radial fitments only, a period-appropriate look is more about maintaining the proper 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch configuration than choosing between vintage constructions.
Appearance can then be shaped by tread style and sidewall treatment within the correct size. An all-terrain tire with raised white letters creates a different visual effect than a more understated street-oriented radial. Buyers focused on originality should compare the vehicle's current setup with window-sticker, brochure, or marque-specific references before making a change.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because the 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer did not use one universal size across all trims. Base, Limited, Sport, and XLT configurations can carry different wheel diameters, so keeping the proper size helps preserve the vehicle's intended stance and overall presentation.
Fitment accuracy also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and the visual balance between tire sidewall and rim. On a newer collector SUV, an incorrect replacement can make the vehicle look noticeably off even before any clearance issue appears. Matching the tire to the trim and installed wheel package is the cleanest restoration starting point.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or body alterations can change tire fitment on a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer. That matters even more here because the Explorer already spans 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch factory-style fitments depending on sub-model.
A modified vehicle should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock before replacing tires. Even when the sidewall size looks close to stock, differences in wheel setup can change the result. Using the trim name alone is not enough if the Explorer no longer has its original wheel package.
What should I inspect before driving a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires?
Before driving a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm that all four tires match the intended size, and check that inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over valve stems and make sure the tires seat properly on the rims.
A short clearance check is worthwhile, especially if the vehicle has different wheels than it left the factory with. Steering lock, suspension travel, and fender room should all look normal before a longer trip. After the first drives, recheck pressure and look for any unusual rubbing, vibration, or uneven wear.
How often should tires on a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer be inspected?
Tires on a 2014 Ford Trucks Explorer should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. A visual check for cuts, cracking, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss is a good routine habit, especially on a vehicle that may see family use, seasonal use, or long periods of sitting between drives.
Inspection becomes even more important when the Explorer has an alternate wheel package or spends time parked outdoors. Heat, sunlight, curb contact, and underinflation can all shorten tire life without obvious warning at first glance. Checking condition before longer trips helps catch problems early and confirms that the vehicle is still wearing the correct size.
