Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat Tires

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat uses four listed tire sizes across 1980 and 1981: 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 750-16. The 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes appear in both 1980 and 1981 and all require 16.5-inch wheels. The 750-16 size appears in 1981 and requires a 16-inch wheel.

That means year alone is not enough, especially for 1981. The practical way to choose correctly is to read the size already mounted, then confirm the wheel diameter stamped on the rim or measured directly. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, match the section width to the truck’s existing setup and intended use rather than assuming every F-350 Ranger Lariat from these years used the same tire.

On a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat, 800-16.5 is a numeric bias-ply truck tire size. The 800 portion represents a nominal 8.00-inch section width, written without the decimal point, and the 16.5 portion is the rim diameter in inches. The same basic reading method also applies to 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 750-16.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a more detailed metric code, but these vintage truck sizes use an older numeric bias-ply system. The key buying step is not just decoding the width, but making sure the second number matches the wheel exactly. A 16-inch tire will not interchange with a 16.5-inch wheel, even though the numbers look close at a glance.

A 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat can show 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 because that model year includes more than one wheel and tire configuration. The main split is rim diameter, with one fitment on 16-inch wheels and the others on 16.5-inch wheels. The remaining variation reflects different section-width choices within the 16.5-inch group.

That makes wheel identification the first priority before comparing tread style or brand. If the truck still carries original-style wheels, the rim itself usually settles the question quickly. If wheels may have been changed over the years, inspect each wheel directly and avoid relying on trim level alone, since the listed choices overlap within the same model year.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat uses both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel diameters in the 1980 to 1981 range shown here. The 750-16 size is for 16-inch wheels, while 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 are for 16.5-inch wheels. Both diameters appear in 1981, which is why that year needs extra attention.

A close-looking tire size can still be completely wrong if the wheel diameter is off by half an inch. The safest approach is to inspect the wheel and the existing tire together before choosing a replacement. That is especially important on restored or hard-working trucks, where wheel swaps over the decades are common and can easily blur what was originally fitted.

Start with the model year, then narrow the choice by wheel diameter. A 1980 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat uses 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5, while a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat may use those same 16.5-inch sizes or the 16-inch 750-16 size. The wheel diameter is the deciding factor when the year overlaps multiple fitments.

After confirming wheel diameter, compare the existing tire width and the wheel width range where shown. Trucks that have remained in service may have had wheels changed to suit load use, appearance, or availability, so the best match comes from the truck in front of you rather than assumptions about the model name. The year listing works best as a guide, and the wheel itself settles the final choice.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the listed sizes. The 16.5-inch truck sizes shown here are blackwall only, while the 750-16 size includes blackwall and wide whitewall options. That gives the 16-inch fitment the broadest styling range.

Blackwall is the more work-truck-oriented look and aligns naturally with military and transport tread patterns. Wide whitewall choices in 750-16 suit a more styled presentation if the truck is being restored with a period custom or polished appearance in mind. Appearance should come after wheel diameter and size confirmation, since a correct style on the wrong rim diameter is still the wrong tire.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat tire listings here include products from STA, Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. STA covers all four sizes and includes several truck-oriented series, while Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich appear in the 750-16 size. That makes 750-16 the broadest size for brand choice.

Brand selection usually follows size selection rather than the other way around. If your truck uses one of the 16.5-inch sizes, the available choices are concentrated in STA truck lines. If your truck uses 750-16, you can then decide whether you want a classic passenger-style bias-ply look, a wide whitewall presentation, or a more utility-focused military or transport pattern.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat tire offerings here include Super Transport, Traxion, Transport Highway, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, and Super Traxion. Those names indicate different intended character, from highway-oriented transport use to more aggressive traction or military-truck patterns, alongside classic bias-ply passenger-style lines in 750-16. All listed products remain bias-ply construction.

The right series depends on how the truck is being finished and used. A period truck restoration with commercial character may favor transport or military-style tread, while a more appearance-focused 16-inch setup may lean toward classic bias-ply or whitewall offerings. Once size and wheel diameter are settled, compare series by visual style, intended duty, and the load and pressure figures shown for the specific product.

A Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat should be stored clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight, with the tires kept away from electric motors, welders, ozone sources, and standing moisture. Collector and work trucks that sit for long periods benefit from being parked on clean concrete or barriers rather than bare ground. Proper inflation for the tire’s intended load also helps reduce flat spotting and casing stress during storage.

If the truck will remain parked for an extended season, rolling it occasionally or using stands to reduce sustained load can help preserve the tires. Trucks with bias-ply tires especially benefit from regular movement because they can take a set more readily than modern radials. Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use collector truck.

Tires on a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat should be visually inspected before every drive and checked more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the truck is rarely used. Look for weather checking, sidewall cracking, irregular wear, impact damage, and any sign that the tire has shifted on the rim or lost air. Bias-ply truck tires on older wheels deserve especially careful inspection around the bead and valve area.

A heavy-duty pickup can place significant load on its tires even at modest speeds, so small problems become important quickly. It is wise to inspect after seasonal storage, after any towing or hauling use, and anytime the truck begins to wander, vibrate, or pull. Consistent inspection is one of the easiest ways to protect both the tires and the truck itself.

Tires on a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat should be replaced when age, cracking, casing condition, or structural concerns appear, even if tread depth still looks good. Collector trucks often accumulate time faster than miles, and rubber deterioration does not wait for the tread to wear out. A tire that looks usable from a distance can still be too old or too compromised for dependable road service.

The practical rule is to treat age and condition as seriously as tread. Any tire showing sidewall dryness, repeated air loss, impact damage, or bead distress deserves prompt evaluation and often replacement. On a heavy pickup, delaying replacement because the tread still appears deep can be a false economy, especially if the truck will carry passengers, cargo, or trailer weight.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat appears here with 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 750-16 fitments across 1980 and 1981, all in bias-ply construction. Several series are represented, including truck-oriented lines such as Super Transport, Traxion, Transport Highway, Firestone Classic Military, and Super Traxion, along with classic bias-ply and whitewall choices in 750-16. More than one period-appropriate direction is therefore possible within the listed range.

For an exact restoration, the best approach is to compare the truck’s surviving wheels, old tire markings, build paperwork, and period photos. A heavily optioned or long-served truck may not still wear its original wheel and tire combination. The tire should support the story of the specific truck, not just the model name, especially where 1981 overlaps both 16-inch and 16.5-inch applications.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and credibility on a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat. Judges and knowledgeable buyers tend to notice whether the wheel diameter, tire profile, sidewall style, and tread character make sense for the truck’s year and restoration theme. A truck fitted with an obviously mismatched diameter or an implausible visual style can lose authenticity even if the tire is new.

The biggest issue on this model is getting the wheel diameter right before worrying about cosmetic details. Once that is settled, choose a sidewall and series that match the truck’s intended look, whether that is work-truck utility or a more dressed presentation. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photos remain the best tie-breakers when more than one listed option could suit the truck.

Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat tire options here include blackwall and wide whitewall styles, but their availability depends on size. The 16.5-inch truck sizes are blackwall only, while 750-16 includes both blackwall and wide whitewall offerings. That means the wheel diameter and chosen size partly determine what an authentic-looking restoration can use.

A truck restored with a commercial, towing, or utility emphasis will generally look most natural on blackwalls, especially in the transport and traction-oriented series. A 750-16 setup offers more room for a styled presentation if the truck is being finished to emphasize trim and period flair. The right answer comes from matching the truck’s actual wheel fitment and restoration goal rather than selecting sidewall style in isolation.

These tires can be appropriate for public-road use on a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat when the size, wheel diameter, condition, inflation, and intended load all match the truck correctly. The listed products are bias-ply truck and classic bias-ply tires, so their driving feel and response will differ from modern light-truck radials. Safety begins with selecting the exact 16-inch or 16.5-inch fitment the truck actually uses.

A properly fitted tire still needs to be treated like an older-style design rather than a modern high-speed all-season tire. Keep expectations realistic, maintain conservative speeds, and match the tire to how the truck will actually be used. If the truck is driven only occasionally, condition and age matter just as much as tread pattern or brand.

Before driving a Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat, check inflation pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, valve stems, and any visible cracking or distortion. On an older heavy-duty pickup, it is also wise to check that all four tires are the same size family and that no 16-inch and 16.5-inch mismatch exists. A short look at the wheel and tire together can prevent a major fitment mistake.

Because these are bias-ply applications, the truck may feel different after sitting, especially until the tires warm up and round out. Any pulling, harsh vibration, repeated air loss, or uneven stance should be investigated before road use. A careful pre-drive routine is especially important on collector trucks that spend more time parked than moving.

A Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat fitted with period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at prudent, moderate speeds consistent with the tire type, the truck’s load, and overall mechanical condition. These are older-design constructions with different handling behavior from modern radials, especially in steering response, tracking, and braking feel. Heavy loads, hot weather, and rough pavement all argue for a more conservative pace.

The practical goal is smooth, controlled road use rather than pushing a one-ton vintage truck as if it were on modern performance tires. Keep speed in line with the truck’s condition and avoid sustained fast cruising until the entire vehicle has been evaluated. Bias-ply tires reward a measured driving style, and the truck will usually feel best when driven within that character.