The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat came from a period when compact pickups were becoming more versatile, and Subaru gave the formula its own character with a small, car-based truck that appealed to buyers who wanted utility without the bulk of a full-size pickup. Tire fitment on this Brat stays firmly in radial territory, but the exact size depends on the sub-model: the DL uses 165R13, while the GL uses 185/70R13, both on 13-inch rims. That leaves room to choose among traditional blackwall options and, for the GL size, more distinctive sidewall treatments such as redline or wide whitewall. The right choice comes down to matching the trim level, wheel setup, and the look you want from the truck.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the sub-model. Both are radial tires for 13-inch rims, but the DL uses 165R13 while the GL uses 185/70R13. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming which Brat trim you have, then comparing the available tire styles, series, and rim-width compatibility within that size.
A 165R13 tire uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size, and it is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. On the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat, this size is the radial fitment used on the DL and suits buyers looking for a narrower, traditional compact-truck presentation. Available choices center on blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop across series such as XAS, XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet.
A 185/70R13 tire has a 185-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. This modern metric radial format is more familiar to current buyers and gives the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat GL its distinct fitment within the model range. Product choice is broader here, with blackwall options joined by redline and wide whitewall versions, plus several tire series from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. It is the size to evaluate when the truck is a GL or already wears the correct 13-inch wheel for that setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat because the DL and GL do not use the same tire size. Confirming the exact trim is the key first step, since both sizes are radial and both use 13-inch rims, but they represent different tire profiles and product choices.
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1980 Subaru Trucks Brat DL
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat DL uses the 165R13 radial size. That points the tire search toward a narrower Euro-metric radial with mostly blackwall choices, so the decision becomes selecting the right series and checking wheel width before installation.
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat GL uses the 185/70R13 radial size. That opens up a wider mix of tire series and sidewall styles, making it easier to balance road use, appearance, and wheel compatibility within the correct GL fitment.
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 Subaru Trucks Brat Tires for Sale
Available 13-inch radial choices for the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat include Michelin and Dunlop options in 165R13, while 185/70R13 adds BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein along with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles across several distinct tire series.
These 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat tire FAQs focus on the two correct radial sizes, how DL and GL fitment differs, what to compare among available 13-inch tires, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Brat back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat?
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat uses two different radial tire sizes depending on the sub-model. The DL uses 165R13, while the GL uses 185/70R13. Both sizes are built for 13-inch rims, but they are not the same tire and should not be treated as a universal Brat fitment.
The practical step is to confirm whether the truck is a DL or GL before ordering tires. It also helps to check what wheels are actually on the vehicle, since many older Brats have seen wheel changes over the years. Matching the trim and the wheel setup is the safest starting point.
What size rim does a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat use?
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 165R13 fitment used on the DL and the 185/70R13 fitment used on the GL. The tire size changes by sub-model, but the rim diameter remains the same.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing specific tires. Some available 13-inch products include defined rim-width ranges, and those should match the wheel on the truck. Checking the wheel itself helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but mismatched in width.
Do all 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The DL uses 165R13, while the GL uses 185/70R13. Both are radial tires on 13-inch rims, but they represent different sizing formats and different product assortments.
That distinction matters because the available tire choices are not identical between the two trims. The 165R13 selection leans toward traditional blackwall Euro-metric radials, while 185/70R13 offers a broader range of series and sidewall treatments. Identifying the sub-model first keeps the search focused on the correct size family.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat tire?
Start with the correct trim-specific size: 165R13 for a DL or 185/70R13 for a GL. From there, compare construction details, wheel-width compatibility where stated, and the type of driving the truck will see. Since both Brat fitments are radial, the main decision is usually size accuracy, series selection, and appearance.
A lightly used collector truck may call for a different presentation than one driven regularly on the road. Some buyers will prefer a simple blackwall look, while others may want a more stylized sidewall in the GL size. It is also worth checking load figures and product dimensions where available before making a final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat tires?
Sidewall choice depends on the tire size used by the truck. In 165R13, the available options are blackwall radials. In 185/70R13, the selection expands to blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, giving GL owners more room to shape the truck's overall appearance.
That makes the GL size especially useful for buyers who want to lean into a restoration-oriented or customized look without changing the primary fitment size. Sidewall style should still be chosen after the correct trim and wheel setup are confirmed, since appearance only matters once the tire size itself is right.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat?
The 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat has tire options from Michelin and Dunlop in 165R13. In 185/70R13, the brand range includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands appear across several different tire series, so the choice is not limited to one style or one kind of presentation.
Brand should be considered alongside the actual tire size, sidewall style, and rim-width specification for the product you are evaluating. A useful approach is to narrow the search by trim first, then compare the available series within that size. That keeps the decision centered on fitment and intended use rather than name recognition alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat?
A period-style choice starts with using the correct trim-specific size. The DL points toward 165R13, which is offered in blackwall Euro-metric radial styles, while the GL uses 185/70R13 and has a broader mix of blackwall and specialty sidewall options. Keeping the original size format is usually the foundation of a vintage-looking presentation.
After the size is settled, the appearance decision becomes more about sidewall treatment and tire series than about changing dimensions. Buyers seeking a restoration-oriented result should also compare the truck against photos, literature, or marque-specific references. That extra step helps align the tire's visual character with the way the Brat is being preserved.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat?
On the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat, the primary fitments are already radial, so the construction question is less about switching from bias-ply and more about choosing the right radial style. The visual difference comes from the size format and sidewall treatment, especially between the simpler blackwall 165R13 options and the more varied 185/70R13 offerings.
That means a restored Brat can look understated or more customized without leaving the correct primary size family for its trim. A DL often leans naturally toward a plain, traditional radial appearance, while a GL leaves room for redline or wide whitewall presentation. The wheel and overall build style should guide that final visual decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat even when the truck is using one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence how a 165R13 or 185/70R13 tire sits and clears under the truck.
A modified Brat should be checked for more than rim diameter alone. Wheel width, offset, steering clearance, and fender space can all change the result. That is especially important on older compact trucks, where small dimensional differences can become noticeable quickly once the suspension or wheel package has been altered.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct 13-inch diameter and suitable width for the tire being installed. It also makes sense to check valve stems, wheel condition, lug hardware, and general suspension and steering condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated problems.
The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even tread seating, and any signs of interference once mounted. A short, careful test drive can confirm that the Brat tracks properly and clears through steering movement and suspension travel. That extra inspection is especially worthwhile on a vehicle that may have spent long periods parked.
How should tires on a collector 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat be maintained?
Collector vehicle tires should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, and bulges, even if the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat is driven only occasionally. Long periods of storage can age tires quietly, so mileage alone is not a complete measure of condition on a low-use vintage truck.
Keeping the Brat in a clean, dry storage space away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Pressure should be checked before use, and the truck should be moved or driven often enough to avoid long-term flat spotting. Regular visual inspection matters just as much as scheduled service.
