15" wheel recommendations?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
Well, after hoarding and catching some good deals on the old 215/75R14 tire in the past, I'm finally going to have to bite the bullet for a different size. I no longer have any stashed away and I used my last one this afternoon. A couple of quick calls confirmed that all the local places don't have them and can no longer get them. Mail order is probably out also.
Just today I found a local shop that will still sell the 215/75R14 tire.
They can get Firestone and Hankook.
The Firestone price would be about $75 a tire. Not a big fan of Firestone from previous Firestone tires experiences, so I inquired about the Hankooks. The price on the Hankook is (get this) $56 a tire, plus taxes. This is mounted and balanced for that price. The man at the tire shop said that at that price, there would be no road hazard warranty available. (I didn't want it anyway)
They also don't stock that size so they would have to order them and it would be a 2-3 day wait. (Good. That means they are probably fresher tires) He assured me that his supplier had them in inventory.
I realize the Hankook will probably be made in China, Korea or Vietnam, but I've heard internet postings that no manufacturer has an American-made 215/75R14 tire available anymore anyway.
Tires are supposed to take a big price increase beginning January 1st, so I better get them ordered tomorrow.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
thanks kruse,
any tire info we can get and pass around on our ageing Aeros helps all. getting much harder to find 14s
I'll soon be replacing mine, Toyo Ultras which they no longer make.
let us know how the Hankook runs.
any tire info we can get and pass around on our ageing Aeros helps all. getting much harder to find 14s
I'll soon be replacing mine, Toyo Ultras which they no longer make.
let us know how the Hankook runs.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 5
From: greater Zurich area
INTERSTATE SIGMA ARCTIC CLAW TXI is another one still available in sizes from 185-205/75/14 made in co-operation with CooperTire & Rubber Co. I've found a source from Sweden that delivers to the EU Market but highly priced.
Must be a real Snow-Grabber. I wonder if anyone have expirience with those on a Aero*.
Must be a real Snow-Grabber. I wonder if anyone have expirience with those on a Aero*.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: SE WI
225 section fits? How about loaded? 225-70-14 is pretty common yet, but the last time I looked (this week), one tire place had 2 options in 215-70-14. The General Grabber AT2 in 27-8.50-14 was not available.
I was also thinking about 215-70-15, once I round up some rims. My Windstar has this size. Might be about the same overall height as the 215-75-14 I'm supposed to run (2wd), and have enough sidewall to ride decent and carry a load.
At this point I'm looking for rear tires first, as the ones I am using are 2-4 years old, off my old van. The fronts are fairly new, the previous owner replaced them after scrubbing them off due to shot tie rod ends.
The 14" tires are getting harder to find, only passenger car tires around here.
I was also thinking about 215-70-15, once I round up some rims. My Windstar has this size. Might be about the same overall height as the 215-75-14 I'm supposed to run (2wd), and have enough sidewall to ride decent and carry a load.
At this point I'm looking for rear tires first, as the ones I am using are 2-4 years old, off my old van. The fronts are fairly new, the previous owner replaced them after scrubbing them off due to shot tie rod ends.
The 14" tires are getting harder to find, only passenger car tires around here.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: south of France
It seems that 215/70 14 have completly vanished in Europe, I'm searching a solution since several week with no other issue to move to 15" rims; problem: finding Explorer rims in a junk here is like searching feather on an egg!!!!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 5
From: greater Zurich area
You easier might find tires in a size below 215 f.e. 185 to 205 made for Transporters, "C"-Class rated. I've finally found and ordered four of that kind in size 185/75/14. TOYO H9 and Conti Conveo are available in many sizes for 14" rims but rarely over 205.
Smaler is better in mudy snow-conditions and fresh deep snow, whereas bigger is better on hardened snow-surface, then i always put chains under.
Good Luck
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
almost any Ford 15" 6" or 7" wide 5 bolt rim will fit the Aero hub. lots of 1/2 ton pickups and all the larger cars from the 90s including the Taurus as an option i believe.
later Ranger pickups
Jeep 15" fits also.
Volvo may fit?
i would not go below 205 wide tires due to the weight of the Aero and body roll, especially the long heavy EXT. AWD
later Ranger pickups
Jeep 15" fits also.
Volvo may fit?
i would not go below 205 wide tires due to the weight of the Aero and body roll, especially the long heavy EXT. AWD
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
I'm not really fond of replying to my own post, but here goes.......
Just today I found a local shop that will still sell the 215/75R14 tire.
They can get Firestone and Hankook.
The Firestone price would be about $75 a tire. Not a big fan of Firestone from previous Firestone tires experiences, so I inquired about the Hankooks. The price on the Hankook is (get this) $56 a tire, plus taxes. This is mounted and balanced for that price. The man at the tire shop said that at that price, there would be no road hazard warranty available. (I didn't want it anyway)
They also don't stock that size so they would have to order them and it would be a 2-3 day wait. (Good. That means they are probably fresher tires) He assured me that his supplier had them in inventory.
I realize the Hankook will probably be made in China, Korea or Vietnam, but I've heard internet postings that no manufacturer has an American-made 215/75R14 tire available anymore anyway.
Tires are supposed to take a big price increase beginning January 1st, so I better get them ordered tomorrow.
Just today I found a local shop that will still sell the 215/75R14 tire.
They can get Firestone and Hankook.
The Firestone price would be about $75 a tire. Not a big fan of Firestone from previous Firestone tires experiences, so I inquired about the Hankooks. The price on the Hankook is (get this) $56 a tire, plus taxes. This is mounted and balanced for that price. The man at the tire shop said that at that price, there would be no road hazard warranty available. (I didn't want it anyway)
They also don't stock that size so they would have to order them and it would be a 2-3 day wait. (Good. That means they are probably fresher tires) He assured me that his supplier had them in inventory.
I realize the Hankook will probably be made in China, Korea or Vietnam, but I've heard internet postings that no manufacturer has an American-made 215/75R14 tire available anymore anyway.
Tires are supposed to take a big price increase beginning January 1st, so I better get them ordered tomorrow.
I got the three tires installed today. The bill for the mounted and balanced tires with new stems was $163.83. Tax added $11.96 to that amount for a grand total of $176.54. That is the total bill for a set of three tires. (Fourth tire is a different brand purchased a couple of months ago)
This was for a Hankook 215/75R14 tire that was made in Korea. FYI, the treadwear is rated at 500, traction is "A" and temperature is "C" on these tires. Tires are quiet and they make me feel a little bit better that my wife will be putting about 1500 miles on the Aero over Christmas.
So, yes. They are still available.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, IA
People keep saying wheels from full size Fords and 1/2 ton pickups will work, but I think some of the old Galaxies and LTDs, etc, (the real full size Fords) have a bolt pattern larger than 4 1/2", and the F100s and 150's have a 5" bolt pattern. I would definitely do a trial fit before mounting tires.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: SE WI
People keep saying wheels from full size Fords and 1/2 ton pickups will work, but I think some of the old Galaxies and LTDs, etc, (the real full size Fords) have a bolt pattern larger than 4 1/2", and the F100s and 150's have a 5" bolt pattern. I would definitely do a trial fit before mounting tires.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
A final followup.
I got the three tires installed today. The bill for the mounted and balanced tires with new stems was $163.83. Tax added $11.96 to that amount for a grand total of $176.54. That is the total bill for a set of three tires. (Fourth tire is a different brand purchased a couple of months ago)
This was for a Hankook 215/75R14 tire that was made in Korea. FYI, the treadwear is rated at 500, traction is "A" and temperature is "C" on these tires. Tires are quiet and they make me feel a little bit better that my wife will be putting about 1500 miles on the Aero over Christmas.
So, yes. They are still available.
I got the three tires installed today. The bill for the mounted and balanced tires with new stems was $163.83. Tax added $11.96 to that amount for a grand total of $176.54. That is the total bill for a set of three tires. (Fourth tire is a different brand purchased a couple of months ago)
This was for a Hankook 215/75R14 tire that was made in Korea. FYI, the treadwear is rated at 500, traction is "A" and temperature is "C" on these tires. Tires are quiet and they make me feel a little bit better that my wife will be putting about 1500 miles on the Aero over Christmas.
So, yes. They are still available.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: south of France
Penceau,
You easier might find tires in a size below 215 f.e. 185 to 205 made for Transporters, "C"-Class rated. I've finally found and ordered four of that kind in size 185/75/14. TOYO H9 and Conti Conveo are available in many sizes for 14" rims but rarely over 205.
Smaler is better in mudy snow-conditions and fresh deep snow, whereas bigger is better on hardened snow-surface, then i always put chains under.
Good Luck
You easier might find tires in a size below 215 f.e. 185 to 205 made for Transporters, "C"-Class rated. I've finally found and ordered four of that kind in size 185/75/14. TOYO H9 and Conti Conveo are available in many sizes for 14" rims but rarely over 205.
Smaler is better in mudy snow-conditions and fresh deep snow, whereas bigger is better on hardened snow-surface, then i always put chains under.
Good Luck
recently I found four rims from a Jeep in a local tires dealer: 15x7, they seem to fit perfectly with a positive offset of 17 mm. This is the lone solution available, in 14" dimensions over 205 have completly disappeared here; Michelin still sell a "collection tires" in 215/70 R14 for the price of four, I think for Mustang and old Ferrari.