1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat Tires

The 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat uses four primary bias-ply tire sizes: 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5. The correct one depends on the truck’s exact sub-model and equipment grouping, including dual rear wheel configurations, GVWR distinctions, heavy-duty front-end versions, and the Snow Plow Prep Package.

Choosing correctly starts with identifying the exact sub-model and then confirming the actual wheel diameter on the truck. This matters because some versions use 16-inch wheels while others use 16.5-inch wheels, and those are not the same fitment even though the size codes look similar at a glance.

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

Rim diameter should be checked before anything else because a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16.5-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. On an older heavy-duty truck, that check is especially important if wheels have ever been changed for service use, replacement, or a later owner’s modification.

More than one tire size appears on the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat because this truck was offered in several heavy-duty configurations. Dual rear wheel GVWR variations, Max Front GAWR versions, heavy-duty front-end equipment, and snow-plow-related preparation all affect which primary bias-ply size belongs on a particular truck.

That means model name alone is not enough to choose tires confidently. A buyer should verify the exact configuration and inspect the truck’s current wheel setup before selecting a size, especially where front and rear position groupings or 16-inch versus 16.5-inch wheel differences come into play.

A 750-16 tire for a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat should first be matched to a truck that actually uses that size and a 16-inch wheel. In this size, choices include classic bias-ply lines from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich, along with more truck-focused STA series and both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall presentations.

The right choice depends on how the truck is being used and how you want it to look. A restoration-oriented truck may lean toward a traditional sidewall treatment, while a work-focused or utility presentation may point toward truck and military-style tread lines, along with the correct rim-width and load-related specification.

Sidewall choice depends on the tire size. In 750-16, available styles include blackwall and wide whitewall, while the 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 fitments are centered on blackwall truck tires. That gives the 16-inch fitment the broadest appearance range within this model line.

Appearance should still follow the truck’s actual fitment rather than the other way around. A whitewall may suit a more restoration-minded presentation, but the truck must truly use 750-16 on a 16-inch wheel before that option is relevant, whereas the 16.5-inch heavy-duty sizes stay focused on utility-oriented blackwall designs.

Brand availability varies by size on the 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat. The 750-16 fitment includes Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, while the 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes are represented by STA in truck-oriented bias-ply series.

That spread gives the 750-16 size the widest mix of traditional styling and truck-use choices, while the larger 16.5-inch applications stay more specialized. Brand selection should come after the correct size and wheel diameter are confirmed, since an attractive product line in the wrong fitment does not solve the truck’s actual tire requirement.

A period-style starting point for a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat is the correct primary bias-ply size for the truck’s exact configuration. From there, the most restoration-minded choice depends on whether the truck is a 750-16 application with classic blackwall or wide whitewall options, or a heavier-duty 16.5-inch application centered on blackwall truck tires.

The most convincing result usually comes from matching size, wheel diameter, and overall vehicle character rather than chasing appearance alone. If exact originality matters, compare the truck’s current setup with marque references, period photos, or other model-specific historical sources before choosing sidewall style or tread presentation.

On this truck, primary fitment stays within bias-ply construction across all supported sizes, which helps preserve a traditional heavy-duty stance and vintage truck presentation. In 750-16 especially, that construction can be paired with either blackwall or wide whitewall styling, depending on the look being pursued.

Construction influences more than silhouette, because the available lines also differ in tread character and intended use. A restored truck built around utility, farm, or commercial flavor may look more natural on truck-oriented blackwall patterns, while a more polished presentation may benefit from the classic sidewall options available in the 16-inch fitment.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat. Wheel changes, aftermarket replacements, suspension alterations, front-end work, and brake conversions can all change the relationship between the tire, the wheel, and the truck’s available clearance, especially on a heavy-duty platform with multiple original size paths.

The biggest concern is making assumptions from the model name without checking the truck in front of you. An F-350 that originally used one bias-ply size may now be running different wheels, so wheel diameter, wheel width, dual-wheel spacing where relevant, and steering or fender clearance should all be verified before selecting new tires.

Before driving a 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the lug hardware is appropriate, and check that the tires are mounted in the correct size for the truck’s configuration. It also helps to look over steering components, suspension condition, and brake hardware on an older heavy-duty truck.

A short, careful road test is wise after installation. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, unusual vibration, and any sign that front or rear clearance is tighter than expected, particularly on dual rear wheel setups or trucks that may have seen decades of repairs, wheel substitutions, or service-related modifications.

Tires on a collector 1981 Ford Trucks F-350 Ranger Lariat should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of sun, moisture, and ozone exposure. Older trucks that see limited mileage can age their tires out long before the tread looks heavily used.

Routine checks matter even more when the truck is stored for long stretches and then returned to road use. Before a longer drive, inspect for air loss, verify that the tires still match the truck’s wheel setup, and pay close attention to age-related sidewall condition rather than judging tire health by tread depth alone.