GMC Trucks V1500 Tires

GMC Trucks V1500 sits at the transition point between square-body tradition and the more modern half-ton pickups that followed, with 1987 marking a brief but distinctive moment in GMC truck history. Buyers looking at a GMC Trucks V1500 today often care just as much about stance and period appearance as they do everyday road manners, especially when the truck is being restored, preserved, or customized. Tire selection is not entirely straightforward because two different 15-inch size formats appear for the same model year, including a modern metric radial and an older alphanumeric performance size. Before choosing a tire, the first step is to confirm which 15-inch wheel and overall look the specific GMC Trucks V1500 is actually running.

GMC Trucks V1500 Tire Size Guide

GMC Trucks V1500 uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1987 model year, and both fitments stay on 15-inch wheels. The two sizes represent different sizing systems rather than a wheel diameter change, with one modern metric radial and one older alphanumeric radial format. That makes it important to identify the wheel and the intended appearance of the truck before choosing between them.

235/75R151987Metric radial

235/75R15 fits 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 applications and is the size with available current-production products in this model group. The code indicates a 235 millimeter section width, a 75 aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when your GMC Trucks V1500 is equipped for the modern metric radial fitment shown here, and note that available products span black-letter off-road styling as well as narrow and wide whitewall radial options.

LR60-151987Alphanumeric radial

LR60-15 also applies to 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 and represents an alternate period performance-style sizing convention for the same model year. The L identifies the size class, R indicates radial construction, 60 is the aspect series, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose this size when the truck is set up for the lower-profile alphanumeric radial format rather than a metric replacement, and verify the wheel width and desired stance before matching it to the vehicle.

GMC Trucks V1500 Tires by Year

The year listing shows which tire sizes apply to each GMC Trucks V1500 model year and helps narrow the search before comparing products. In 1987, two sizes are listed, which points to a configuration or appearance split rather than a change in wheel diameter. GMC Trucks V1500 ended its run in a single model year, so it is wise to confirm the specific wheel setup on the truck before settling on a tire size.

Best GMC Trucks V1500 Tires for Sale

Available GMC Trucks V1500 tires cover 2 sizes across 10 products from 6 brands. Options center on 15-inch radial fitments, so confirm the correct size code and the actual wheel setup before selecting.

235/75R15 Products

These are the available products for 235/75R15.

Radial BFG KO2

BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 | 235/75R15 104S

BFGoodrich - All Terrain TA KO2

SidewallRWL
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.0 - 7.0 in
Weight36 lb
Max Load1,985 lbs @ 50 psi
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Radial Tires

American Classic Radial | 3 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

American Classic - American Classic Radial

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.50 in
Weight29 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Tires

Maxxis |.75 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

Maxxis - Classic Whitewall MA-1

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.00 in
Weight31 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Tires

Coker Classic Star Series | 3.125 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

Coker Classic - Star Series

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6 - 8 in
Weight32 lb
Max Load2,271 lbs @ 32 psi
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Radial Tires

BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.875 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Radial

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.50 in
Weight31 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Tires

Tornel | 0.625 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

Tornel - Tornel Classic

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.50 in
Weight30 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Tires

Coker Classic Star Series | 1.60 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

Coker Classic - Star Series

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6 - 8 in
Weight32 lb
Max Load2,271 lbs @ 32 psi
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Radial Tires

American Classic Radial | 1.6 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

American Classic - American Classic Radial

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.50 in
Weight30 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Tires

Coker Classic | 3.125 Inch Whitewall | 235/75R15

Coker Classic - Coker Classic Radial

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.00 - 8.50 in
Weight30 lb
Max Load2028@35 psi
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Radial Travelstar

Travelstar Radial | 18mm Whitewall | 235/75R15

Travelstar - UN106

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width6.5J in
Weight27 lb
Max Load2039 lbs @ 44psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below focuses on the two different 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 sizing systems, how metric and alphanumeric radials differ, and how to sort through whitewall, black-letter, and specialty-style options for the right look and fit.

Size Basics & Fitment

GMC Trucks V1500 uses two listed tire sizes for 1987: 235/75R15 and LR60-15. Both sizes are built around a 15-inch rim diameter, but they belong to different sizing systems. 235/75R15 is a metric radial size, while LR60-15 is an alphanumeric radial size that reflects an older performance-oriented way of sizing tires.

That means the correct choice is not simply a matter of model year. Check the actual tire sidewall on the truck, measure the wheel width if needed, and compare the truck’s stance and intended appearance before deciding which format belongs on your GMC Trucks V1500. If the truck has already been restored or modified, the installed wheel and tire combination may tell you more than the model year alone.

On GMC Trucks V1500, 235/75R15 means the tire has a nominal section width of 235 millimeters, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. It is the modern metric format used on many later classic trucks and offers the broadest product selection in this model group. Available products in this size include black-letter and multiple whitewall styles.

The practical benefit of understanding the code is that it helps you compare your existing tire to a replacement without guessing from appearance alone. If your GMC Trucks V1500 already wears 235/75R15 tires, staying with that size usually preserves the wheel diameter and general fitment approach. It also lets you choose between a stock-looking radial and a more customized whitewall presentation depending on how the truck is being used.

A 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 has 2 tire sizes listed because the model year appears with two different sizing conventions: 235/75R15 and LR60-15. Both are 15-inch radial sizes, so the split is not a wheel diameter change. Instead, it reflects a configuration, wheel, or appearance difference within the same year.

That is why a year-only search can lead to the wrong choice. Look at the exact size printed on the tire now fitted to the truck, then compare the wheel width and the overall profile you want to maintain. A GMC Trucks V1500 set up with a lower-profile alphanumeric radial may not deliver the same look as one using the taller metric radial, even though both fit 15-inch wheels.

Crossply vs Radial

For the GMC Trucks V1500 sizes listed here, the available products are radial tires. The 235/75R15 products are all radial, and the alternate LR60-15 size is also an alphanumeric radial format. There is no bias-ply product mix in the available GMC Trucks V1500 offerings within this model group.

That makes the decision simpler for most owners because you are choosing between radial size formats and visual styles rather than between radial and crossply construction. Focus on whether your GMC Trucks V1500 needs the metric 235/75R15 fitment or the alphanumeric LR60-15 format, then choose the sidewall and tread style that suits the truck’s restoration, custom look, or regular road use.

A GMC Trucks V1500 fitted with radial tires will generally reflect the road manners expected from late-classic pickup fitments, and both listed sizes for this model are radial formats. The more meaningful change comes from the specific size and profile, since 235/75R15 and LR60-15 are not simply two ways of writing the same dimensions. Profile, width class, and intended style can all influence steering feel and visual stance.

If your GMC Trucks V1500 is being driven regularly, matching the replacement size to the tire already proven on the truck is the safest route for preserving how it behaves. If the truck is being restyled, expect the lower-profile alphanumeric format and the taller metric radial to present differently on the road and at the fender opening. Choose with both driving character and appearance in mind.

A GMC Trucks V1500 in this size group is served by radial tire options, not a mix of bias-ply and radial products. Even so, the standard collector-car rule still applies: do not mix fundamentally different construction types on the same vehicle unless a knowledgeable specialist has laid out a specific reason and arrangement. Tire construction differences can affect tracking, braking feel, and stability.

For a GMC Trucks V1500, the better practice is to keep a matched set in the same construction family and the same size format. That means staying with four tires in 235/75R15 or four tires in LR60-15 rather than blending formats side to side or axle to axle. Consistency matters as much as size when you want the truck to drive predictably.

Buying the Right Tire

The correct tire size for a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 is either 235/75R15 or LR60-15, so confirmation starts with the truck itself rather than the year alone. Both are 15-inch fitments, but they are different sizing systems and can give the truck a different look. The surest clues are the size already mounted, the wheel width, and whether the truck has a stock-style or more performance-oriented stance.

Read the sidewall on the current tire first if the truck is already sorted and driving well. If the GMC Trucks V1500 is a fresh project, compare the installed wheels and the appearance you are trying to achieve before replacing anything. That approach helps avoid ordering a metric radial for a truck set up around an alphanumeric fitment, or vice versa.

GMC Trucks V1500 tires in 235/75R15 are available with several sidewall styles, including raised white letters, narrow whitewalls, and wide whitewalls. Those options span a distinctly different visual range, from truck-oriented all-terrain styling to classic street and custom presentations. The sidewall choice can change the personality of the truck almost as much as the wheel itself.

Raised white letters tend to suit a more utilitarian or off-road-influenced GMC Trucks V1500, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the truck toward a custom, boulevard, or period-inspired appearance. The key is to match the sidewall treatment to the build theme already established by the paint, ride height, and wheels. That keeps the tire from looking like an afterthought on an otherwise well-resolved truck.

The available GMC Trucks V1500 products in this model group come from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar. Those brands cover a mix of visual themes, including all-terrain styling and several classic whitewall radial options. The available selection is concentrated in 235/75R15, which is the size with active product listings here.

Brand choice should come after you confirm the correct size for the truck. Once the GMC Trucks V1500 size is settled, then it makes sense to compare whether you want a more understated radial, a custom whitewall presentation, or a truck-style tread and sidewall treatment. That sequence helps prevent choosing a brand first and discovering later that the truck needs the other size format.

Maintenance & Longevity

A GMC Trucks V1500 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Proper inflation matters during storage because underinflation can stress the casing while long periods of stationary load can encourage flat spotting. Clean tires and wheels before storage so dirt and chemicals are not left to age on the rubber.

If the GMC Trucks V1500 will sit for months at a time, roll it periodically or use a method that reduces concentrated load on one section of the tread. Keeping the truck on a clean surface and checking pressure at regular intervals will help preserve both ride quality and appearance. Collector trucks often age out tires from time and environment before they wear them out.

Tires on a GMC Trucks V1500 should be inspected before regular driving and again after any long storage period. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, impact damage, uneven wear, and pressure loss. On a collector or hobby truck, low annual mileage can hide age-related deterioration that would be obvious only with careful inspection.

A practical routine is to inspect the GMC Trucks V1500 tires every time the truck comes out for a drive, with a more thorough check at the start of each season. Pay attention to changes in steering feel, vibration, and how the truck tracks on the road. Small problems usually reveal themselves in the garage before they turn into larger problems on the road.

GMC Trucks V1500 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, vibration, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector vehicles often retain tread because they see light mileage, but rubber ages from time, heat cycles, and storage conditions. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of tire health on an older truck.

The practical rule is to treat appearance and behavior as seriously as wear. If a GMC Trucks V1500 begins to show sidewall weathering, persistent air loss, or unexplained changes in ride quality, it is time for a tire professional to inspect the set and advise on replacement. Replacing aged tires before failure is part of responsible collector-vehicle maintenance, not an overreaction.

Restoration & Authenticity

GMC Trucks V1500 appears here with two period-appropriate size formats for 1987: 235/75R15 and LR60-15. The available products are centered on radial construction, and the current product selection is in 235/75R15. That tells you the truck can be encountered in either a metric radial presentation or an alphanumeric radial presentation depending on configuration and the way it was specified or later set up.

For an exact restoration, the best approach is to compare the GMC Trucks V1500 against factory literature, surviving original examples, and marque community knowledge. That matters because original appearance involves more than just rim diameter. The right size format, sidewall treatment, and tread style all influence whether the finished truck reads as factory-correct, dealer-era, or thoughtfully customized.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a GMC Trucks V1500 is judged, presented, and valued, especially when the truck is being evaluated as a restoration rather than as a modified driver. Size, sidewall style, and overall profile all shape whether the truck looks authentic to its era. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, the wrong tire format can make the truck appear visually off.

For a GMC Trucks V1500 headed to shows or formal judging, it is wise to treat tires as a finishing detail rather than a last-minute replacement item. Matching the correct size system and sidewall style to the truck’s intended presentation can elevate the whole restoration. Marque clubs and original sales material remain the strongest references when authenticity matters more than personal taste.

GMC Trucks V1500 tire options in 235/75R15 include raised white letters, narrow whitewalls, and wide whitewalls. The correct choice depends on the look being restored, because those sidewall styles point in very different directions visually. Raised white letters suit a more truck-focused or sporty late-classic presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls lean toward custom, street, or dressier period style.

A careful GMC Trucks V1500 restoration should match the sidewall to the truck’s trim level, wheel design, and intended historical character. If the goal is factory-style understatement, a flashy whitewall may look out of place. If the truck is being restored as a period custom or regional street scene build, the whitewall options may be exactly what completes the look.

Safety & Road Use

A GMC Trucks V1500 fitted with properly selected, properly mounted radial tires in the correct size can be suitable for normal public-road use, assuming the truck itself is mechanically sound. The listed fitments are modern-style radial constructions rather than fragile brass-era or early pre-war types. Safety still depends on age, inflation, wheel condition, suspension health, and overall vehicle preparation.

Before road use, make sure the GMC Trucks V1500 has a matched set in the correct size format and that the tires are free of age-related damage or irregular wear. Tires are only one part of roadworthiness on an older truck. Brakes, steering components, wheel hardware, alignment, and load condition all deserve the same attention as the rubber itself.

Before driving a GMC Trucks V1500, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel fasteners, valve stems, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Also confirm that all four tires match the intended size setup, since the truck can appear with either 235/75R15 or LR60-15 fitment. A quick visual walk-around can catch most obvious problems before they become roadside issues.

For a GMC Trucks V1500 that sits between drives, add a short low-speed test once the truck is moving. Listen for thumps from flat spotting, feel for pull or vibration, and watch the steering response in the first few miles. That brief shakedown is especially useful after seasonal storage or after any wheel and tire change.

A GMC Trucks V1500 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition of the tires, the rating of the specific product, and the mechanical state of the truck rather than to the model year alone. The available 235/75R15 products include service descriptions such as 104S and 105S on some listings, which point to passenger-road radial use rather than novelty-only operation. Even so, age and condition override any printed rating on an older set.

The sensible approach is to treat a GMC Trucks V1500 as a vintage truck first and a modern highway vehicle second. If the tires are fresh, matched, and professionally inspected, moderate road use is reasonable. If the age, history, or condition of the tires is uncertain, keep speeds conservative until the truck and the tire set have both been thoroughly evaluated.