The 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 sits in the heavy-duty end of GMC's square-body truck era, a period known for work-focused pickups built to handle serious payload and commercial use. On a truck like this, tire selection is closely tied to the exact wheel and axle setup rather than appearance alone. The 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 uses bias-ply tire fitments including 950-16.5, 750-16, and 875-16.5, depending on configuration. Available choices lean toward truck-oriented blackwall designs, with series such as Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and rim diameter first, then choosing a tire that suits restoration goals, working-truck character, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 GMC Trucks C3500
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500, and they do not all use the same wheel diameter. Some configurations use 16-inch rims while others use 16.5-inch rims, so confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup comes before comparing tires. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the right bias-ply truck tire series, load-oriented specifications, and overall period-appropriate presentation.
Fit(s): (7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) Front, (7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) Rear, (9/16 inch studs) Front, (9/16 inch studs) Rear, Bonus Cab (DRW)(7/16 & 1/2 inch studs), and Bonus Cab (DRW)(9/16 inch studs)
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16.5 in
In a numeric bias-ply size like 950-16.5, the 950 represents an approximate 9.50-inch nominal section width, while 16.5 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is a bias-ply truck tire size used on certain 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 configurations and it keeps the heavy-duty, period-style construction associated with the truck's original fitment era. Available choices include STA products in Traxion and Super Transport series, both in blackwall form. It is the right size to evaluate when your truck is built around a 16.5-inch wheel setup and you want to stay with a truck-focused bias-ply tire.
Fit(s): (DRW)(7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) and (DRW)(9/16 inch studs)
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
The size 750-16 is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 750 indicates an approximate 7.50-inch nominal section width and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500, this size appears on certain dual rear wheel configurations and keeps the truck in a traditional bias-ply format. It offers the broadest product variety here, including Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA choices across classic bias-ply, military-style, and truck-service series, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options. This is the size to study closely when a 16-inch DRW setup is already on the truck.
Fit(s): (DRW)(7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) and (DRW)(9/16 inch studs)
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16.5 in
With 875-16.5, the 875 designates an approximate 8.75-inch nominal section width and the 16.5 calls for a 16.5-inch rim. This is another bias-ply truck fitment for selected 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 dual rear wheel applications, making wheel diameter confirmation especially important before purchase. Available products include STA truck-oriented designs in Traxion and Transport Highway series, both with blackwall styling and commercial-duty character. It becomes the relevant size when your C3500 uses the 16.5-inch DRW arrangement and you want a tire that matches that heavier-duty setup.
Sub-model fitment on the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 is not one-size-fits-all. Tire choice depends on whether the truck is front, rear, dual rear wheel, or Bonus Cab configuration, and just as importantly, whether it uses a 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheel.
1
1980 GMC Trucks C3500 (7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) Front
This front-wheel configuration uses the 950-16.5 bias-ply size. Tire selection centers on choosing the right blackwall truck series on a 16.5-inch rim and making sure the wheel setup on the truck still matches that original-style fitment.
1980 GMC Trucks C3500 (7/16 & 1/2 inch studs) Rear
This rear-wheel configuration also uses the 950-16.5 bias-ply size. That keeps tire selection straightforward, with the main decision focused on the available truck-oriented series and confirming that the rear wheels remain the correct 16.5-inch type.
The 9/16-inch stud front configuration uses 950-16.5 in bias-ply construction. That means the buyer should focus on 16.5-inch wheel compatibility first, then compare the available STA truck tires by series and service character.
The matching rear setup with 9/16-inch studs uses the same 950-16.5 bias-ply fitment. Selection is mainly about staying with the proper wheel diameter and choosing between the available blackwall truck tires that suit the truck's intended use.
1980 GMC Trucks C3500 (DRW)(7/16 & 1/2 inch studs)
This dual rear wheel configuration is the one that requires extra attention, because it is associated with both 750-16 and 875-16.5 bias-ply sizes. The first step is confirming whether the truck is set up with 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels before comparing tire series or sidewall style.
This DRW version also uses either 750-16 or 875-16.5, both in bias-ply construction. Tire choice depends on the actual wheel diameter on the truck, after which the buyer can sort through classic blackwall truck options and the broader selection available in 750-16.
This Bonus Cab DRW configuration uses the 950-16.5 bias-ply size. That simplifies the size question, leaving the main decision between the available blackwall truck series and whether the existing 16.5-inch wheels remain part of the truck's current setup.
1980 GMC Trucks C3500 Bonus Cab (DRW)(9/16 inch studs)
This Bonus Cab DRW version also uses 950-16.5 in bias-ply form. The practical focus is on confirming the 16.5-inch wheel arrangement and then choosing the truck-style tire series that best matches working use, restoration goals, or both.
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 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 Tires for Sale
Available 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 tires are centered on bias-ply truck fitments, with options from STA, Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, several classic and truck-service series, and rim-width specifications that differ between the 16-inch and 16.5-inch sizes.
Common 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 tire questions usually come down to size by sub-model, 16-inch versus 16.5-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply construction, and how to choose among truck, military-style, and restoration-oriented tire options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
The 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 950-16.5, 750-16, and 875-16.5. The correct size depends on the exact configuration, with 950-16.5 used on several front, rear, and Bonus Cab applications, while certain dual rear wheel versions use either 750-16 or 875-16.5.
That makes configuration and wheel verification the first step before choosing a tire. A C3500 with 16-inch wheels cannot use a 16.5-inch tire, and a dual rear wheel truck should be checked carefully to confirm which wheel setup is actually on the vehicle today, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 use?
A 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 uses either a 16-inch or 16.5-inch rim, depending on the tire size and truck configuration. The 750-16 tire fits a 16-inch rim, while both 875-16.5 and 950-16.5 fit 16.5-inch rims.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable measurement to confirm before ordering tires for this truck. Tire size markings, wheel stampings, and the actual tire currently mounted should all agree, and any mismatch should be resolved before installation because 16-inch and 16.5-inch tires are not interchangeable with one another.
Why does the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 have more than one tire size?
The 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by configuration. Standard front and rear applications, dual rear wheel versions, and Bonus Cab DRW setups do not all use the same wheel and tire arrangement, so multiple primary sizes appear within the model range.
That means the truck's exact sub-model matters just as much as the model name itself. Stud pattern description, DRW status, and whether the tire is on the front, rear, or a specific cab configuration can all affect the correct size, so matching the tire to the truck's actual setup is more important than using a broad C3500 assumption.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-16.5 tire for a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
Start with the basics: the truck must use the 950-16.5 size and a 16.5-inch wheel. For this application, available choices are bias-ply blackwall truck tires from STA in the Traxion and Super Transport series, both aimed at a traditional heavy-duty appearance and use profile.
From there, compare the tire's intended character, rim-width specification, and service-style details rather than looking for cosmetic variety alone. This size uses a 6.50 to 6.75 inch rim-width range in the available products, so the wheel should be checked closely before selecting the tire that best matches how the C3500 will actually be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 tires?
Most 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 tire options are blackwall, which suits the truck's heavy-duty and utility-focused character. In 750-16, there are also wide whitewall choices from Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, giving that size a more restoration-oriented appearance option than the 16.5-inch truck sizes.
The right sidewall depends on the truck's role and presentation. A work-truck or commercial-style build usually points toward blackwalls, while a more styled or restored truck using 750-16 may call for a wide whitewall look. Sidewall appearance should still come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter for the truck.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
Tires for the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 are available from STA, Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich across the applicable sizes. STA appears across all three fitments, while Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich are represented in 750-16, where the product selection is broader and includes both truck-oriented and classic bias-ply styles.
Brand should be considered alongside size, construction, sidewall style, and series rather than by name alone. In this case, 750-16 gives the widest spread of brand and appearance choices, while 950-16.5 and 875-16.5 stay more tightly focused on blackwall truck-service tires for the heavier-duty wheel setups.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
A period-style 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the truck's exact configuration. From there, blackwall truck tires in series such as Traxion, Super Transport, or Transport Highway suit a working-truck presentation, while some 750-16 applications also have wide whitewall choices for a more styled look.
The best appearance choice depends on how the truck is being restored or presented. A utility-focused C3500 often looks most natural on blackwalls, while a show-oriented truck may lean toward a classic whitewall if it uses 750-16. Exact originality should be checked against truck-specific historical references when details matter at a higher restoration level.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
For the 1980 GMC Trucks C3500, the primary fitments here are all bias-ply, and that construction plays a real role in the truck's traditional visual character. Bias-ply truck tires tend to support the upright, work-oriented look expected on an older heavy-duty pickup, especially in blackwall form.
Construction choice also influences which product styles are even available. In this case, keeping the truck in its correct bias-ply size allows access to truck-service series and, in 750-16, some wide whitewall options as well. Appearance goals should still be matched to the truck's actual wheel diameter and configuration so the visual result starts with proper fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or rear axle setup differences can all influence whether the truck still matches its original-style 750-16, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5 fitment.
This matters even more on a heavy-duty truck that may have seen decades of work and replacement parts. A modified C3500 should be checked for actual wheel diameter, dual-wheel spacing where applicable, steering clearance, and body clearance before new tires are mounted, rather than assuming the truck still uses its earlier factory-type setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tires are inflated to the pressure required for the specific tire and service use. A quick visual check for rubbing, uneven seating, and valve-stem condition is also worthwhile.
Older heavy-duty trucks benefit from a broader road-readiness inspection at the same time. Steering looseness, worn suspension components, brake condition, and alignment issues can all affect how a newly mounted bias-ply tire behaves. A short test drive followed by another look at pressure and clearance is a sensible final step.
How should 950-16.5, 750-16, and 875-16.5 tires on a collector 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 be maintained?
Bias-ply tires on a collector 1980 GMC Trucks C3500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a truck that spends long periods parked or sees only occasional road use.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older truck tire. Keeping the C3500 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and periodic movement helps avoid extended static loading in one spot. Any tire showing age-related deterioration should be evaluated before further road use.
