1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom Tires

The 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom uses four primary bias-ply tire sizes: 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5. The correct size depends on the truck’s exact configuration, with dual-rear-wheel models using multiple possible sizes and Base, H.D. Front End, and Snow Plow Prep Package versions using 950-16.5.

The practical step is to confirm the exact sub-model and the actual wheel diameter on the truck before choosing a tire. This F-350 Custom can use either 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels, so selecting by appearance alone can lead to the wrong fitment even when the truck itself is the correct year and model.

A 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom can use either a 16-inch rim or a 16.5-inch rim, depending on the tire size and configuration. The 750-16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, while 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 use 16.5-inch rims.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because the truck does not use one wheel size across every setup. Measuring the wheel or reading the existing tire size helps prevent confusion between 16 and 16.5 applications, and that matters before comparing tread styles, load-related specifications, or period-style appearance.

More than one tire size appears on the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom because different sub-models use different wheel and duty configurations. Dual-rear-wheel versions, front and rear fitment distinctions, GVWR differences, and maximum front GAWR variations all affect which primary bias-ply size belongs on the truck.

That means the tire search should begin with the truck’s exact setup, not just the model name. A Base truck on 950-16.5 tires and a DRW configuration using 750-16, 800-16.5, or 875-16.5 present very different fitment paths, especially once wheel diameter and axle-specific use are taken into account.

A 750-16 tire for the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom should first be matched to a truck that actually uses the 16-inch bias-ply fitment. Within that size, available options vary by brand, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, weight, and load-related figures where stated.

That makes 750-16 one of the more nuanced choices on this truck. A buyer focused on traditional truck use may compare blackwall transport or traction patterns, while a restoration-oriented buyer may look more closely at wide whitewall or classic bias-ply presentation, always after confirming the wheel setup is truly 16-inch.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 750-16, the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom is available with both blackwall and wide whitewall tires, while the 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 fitments shown here are available in blackwall truck styles.

That difference matters most for buyers balancing appearance with work-truck character. A wide whitewall 750-16 can give a more restoration-oriented look on the right build, while the 16.5-inch sizes stay focused on blackwall utility presentation. The first step is still matching the proper size, then choosing the sidewall style that suits the truck’s role.

Tires for the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom are available from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, depending on size. The broadest brand spread appears in 750-16, while the 16.5-inch truck sizes are centered on STA offerings in traction and transport-oriented series.

Brand comparison is most useful after the correct tire size has been narrowed down. On this truck, the real distinction often comes from the combination of brand, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than from brand name alone, especially since some sizes have a much narrower product assortment than others.

A period-style 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the truck’s exact configuration. On 16-inch applications, 750-16 opens the widest appearance and series range, while 16.5-inch applications such as 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 stay more squarely in traditional blackwall truck form.

The best appearance choice depends on whether the truck is being presented as a work-oriented pickup, a utility restoration, or a more styled build. Exact originality claims should be checked against vehicle-specific historical references, but the proper size, correct wheel diameter, and an era-appropriate bias-ply look are the right starting points.

On this truck, the primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction plays a big role in the way a restored 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom looks. Bias-ply truck tires tend to preserve the traditional stance and visual character expected from an early-1980s heavy-duty pickup with vintage-style wheel and tire proportions.

Appearance is only part of the decision, though. A restoration-minded buyer should still match the proper size and rim diameter, then consider whether the truck calls for a straightforward blackwall work-truck look or, in 750-16, a wide whitewall treatment that changes the truck’s overall presentation without changing the underlying vintage tire format.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension alterations, front-end swaps, ride-height changes, or axle-related changes can all alter which tire size works properly, especially on a truck that already spans both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel applications.

That is why the actual wheel and chassis setup should be checked before replacing tires by size alone. On a DRW truck in particular, clearance between tires, fenders, and steering components deserves attention, while a Base or snow-plow-equipped truck should also be evaluated for any front-end changes that differ from its original configuration.

Before driving a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the truck’s configuration, and look over the suspension, steering, and brake components. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel integrity also deserve careful attention on an older one-ton truck.

A short test drive should follow only after checking air pressure, visible clearance, and any sign of rubbing at the front or between dual rear tires where applicable. Collector and low-use trucks also benefit from a second inspection after the first miles on new tires to confirm even seating and stable road behavior.

Tires on a collector 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. That applies whether the truck uses 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5 bias-ply tires.

Low-mileage trucks can still age their tires even when tread looks healthy, so condition matters as much as use. Occasional movement helps reduce prolonged flat spotting, and any truck returning to road use after storage should have its tires, wheels, and visible clearances checked again before carrying weight or covering longer distances.