The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 sits in the heavy-duty work-truck era when one-ton pickups were expected to haul, tow, and spend real time under load. For owners keeping one of these Dodge trucks on the road today, tire selection is closely tied to the exact configuration, because the D350 appears here with both bias-ply and radial fitments on 16.5-inch wheels. The DRW and Base versions do not use the same size range, and the available choices center on traditional blackwall truck tires from STA in the Super Transport and Traxion lines. That makes it especially important to confirm the sub-model and construction before choosing a restoration-oriented or road-use setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350
The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 uses four primary tire sizes across two sub-model groupings, with both bias-ply and radial fitments appearing on the same 16.5-inch rim diameter. The first step is confirming whether the truck is the D350 (DRW) or the D350 Base, because that determines whether the correct size family is 8.00/800-16.5 or 9.50/950-16.5. After that, the main decision becomes bias-ply versus radial and the type of truck-tire presentation you want to maintain.
8.00R16.5 is a radial truck-tire size with an 8.0-inch nominal section width and a 16.5-inch rim diameter. On the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350, it serves as a primary radial fitment for the DRW version and represents the radial side of that sub-model's fitment choices. Its format will be more familiar to buyers looking for a vintage-style radial or bias-look radial alternative rather than a traditional bias-ply casing. This size should be evaluated by DRW owners who want to confirm the truck's wheel setup and prefer a radial-style approach on the correct rim diameter.
800-16.5 is a numeric bias-ply truck size in which the 800 designation represents an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width and the 16.5 identifies rim diameter. For the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350, this is the bias-ply fitment associated with the DRW sub-model and it keeps the truck in a traditional heavy-duty tire format. Available choices include STA Super Transport and STA Traxion, both in blackwall form and both aimed at military and truck use. It is the size to consider when the goal is a period-style bias-ply setup on a DRW truck with matching 16.5-inch wheels.
9.50R16.5 is a radial truck-tire size with a 9.5-inch nominal section width on a 16.5-inch rim. On this 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 application, it is the radial fitment tied to the Base sub-model rather than the DRW version, so it should not be treated as universal across all D350 configurations. The size is useful for owners comparing radial and bias-ply paths within the wider 9.50/950 family for the same truck. Choosing it starts with confirming the sub-model and wheel diameter, then checking the actual wheel and truck setup before moving away from an existing tire specification.
950-16.5 is a numeric bias-ply truck size where 950 reflects an approximate 9.50-inch nominal section width and 16.5 is the wheel diameter. For the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 Base, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment, giving owners a heavier-duty vintage truck presentation in the correct size family for that sub-model. Available products come from STA in both Traxion and Super Transport series, each offered as blackwall truck tires. This size makes the most sense when the truck is a Base model and the goal is to stay with a period-style bias-ply construction on 16.5-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 because the covered versions split into two different tire-size families. The DRW truck uses the 8.00/800-16.5 range, while the Base truck uses the wider 9.50/950-16.5 range, so identifying the exact truck configuration comes before choosing a tire.
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1982 Dodge Trucks D350 (DRW)
The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 (DRW) uses the narrower 8.00/800-16.5 size family, with both radial and bias-ply fitments represented. That means the selection process is less about width choice and more about confirming whether the truck should stay with a traditional bias-ply setup or move toward the matching radial size family on the same 16.5-inch wheel diameter.
The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 Base uses the wider 9.50/950-16.5 size family, again with both radial and bias-ply options tied to the truck. Tire selection here centers on preserving the correct size family for the Base model first, then comparing the available bias-ply product choices or evaluating the matching radial format for the same rim diameter.
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 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 Tires for Sale
Available 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 tire choices center on STA truck tires in the Super Transport and Traxion series. The current product mix is bias-ply only, with blackwall styling, military and truck attributes, and size-specific rim-width, load, and weight differences that matter when comparing 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 options.
These FAQs focus on 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 tire size differences by sub-model, 16.5-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, available STA truck-tire options, and the checks worth making before road use on a working or restored one-ton Dodge.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
A 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 does not use one universal tire size across every covered version. The D350 (DRW) uses the 8.00R16.5 radial or 800-16.5 bias-ply size family, while the D350 Base uses the 9.50R16.5 radial or 950-16.5 bias-ply size family, all on 16.5-inch rims.
The key is identifying the exact sub-model before choosing a tire, because the two size families are not the same width. It also helps to confirm what is actually on the truck now, especially if wheels or suspension parts have been changed over the years, so the replacement matches the vehicle's real setup rather than assumptions.
What size rim does a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 use?
The covered 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 tire sizes all use a 16.5-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 8.00/800-16.5 family used on the DRW truck and the 9.50/950-16.5 family used on the Base truck, regardless of whether the tire is bias-ply or radial.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a heavy-duty truck like this. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing available bias-ply products, so it is smart to verify the actual wheel size stamped on the rim and make sure the tire being considered matches both the wheel and the truck's intended use.
Do all 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 (DRW) uses the 8.00R16.5 or 800-16.5 size family, while the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 Base uses the larger 9.50R16.5 or 950-16.5 family. Both sub-models use 16.5-inch rims, but the tire widths and fitment groupings are different.
That difference matters because a tire choice that is correct for one sub-model should not be assumed correct for the other. A good next step is to confirm the truck's exact badge, wheel setup, and current tire markings so the replacement stays within the correct size family before comparing construction, series, or load-related specifications.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 800-16.5 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
800-16.5 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350, and it is associated with the D350 (DRW) sub-model. Its matching radial format is 8.00R16.5, which uses the same 16.5-inch rim diameter but represents a different construction within the same size family.
That makes the real decision less about rim diameter and more about how the truck is being kept and used. Owners aiming for a traditional heavy-duty appearance may stay with the bias-ply format, while a radial path starts by verifying the wheel setup, current clearances, and overall truck condition before changing construction.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
The 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 appears with both bias-ply and radial primary fitments, depending on the size family and sub-model. The DRW truck is tied to 800-16.5 bias-ply or 8.00R16.5 radial, and the Base truck is tied to 950-16.5 bias-ply or 9.50R16.5 radial.
Choosing between them depends on the truck's current setup and the goal for the vehicle. A bias-ply tire keeps a more traditional period-style truck presentation, while a radial choice changes construction and should be checked against wheel dimensions, clearance, and the way the truck will actually be driven or worked.
What should I check before converting my 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the truck's exact sub-model and staying within its proper size family: 8.00R16.5 in place of 800-16.5 for the DRW truck, or 9.50R16.5 in place of 950-16.5 for the Base truck. Both radial sizes use 16.5-inch rims, but construction changes still call for a careful fitment review.
Wheel width, overall tire clearance, suspension condition, and the truck's intended load and road use should all be checked before making the change. It also helps to inspect whether the D350 still has its original wheels or has been modified, because older one-ton trucks are often altered and that can affect practical radial fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 tire?
Begin with the correct sub-model and size family, because the DRW truck uses 8.00R16.5 or 800-16.5 while the Base truck uses 9.50R16.5 or 950-16.5. After that, the main factors are construction type, 16.5-inch wheel compatibility, and whether the truck is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or a radial one.
Product details matter most once the size is settled. On the bias-ply side, the available truck tires differ by series, rim-width specification, weight, and in some cases stated load capacity, so matching the tire to the truck's actual wheel and intended duty is more useful than picking by size designation alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
The available product selection for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 centers on STA. Within the applicable bias-ply sizes, STA offers truck-oriented choices in the Super Transport and Traxion series, both presented as blackwall tires and both tied to military and truck use attributes.
Since the brand choice is narrow here, selection comes down to the correct size family and the specific series characteristics rather than comparing several manufacturers. It is also worth checking the tire's rim-width specification and any stated load figure, because those details help separate a merely correct size from a better-matched truck tire.
What tire series are available for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
Two tire series are available in the applicable bias-ply truck sizes for the 1982 Dodge Trucks D350: STA Super Transport and STA Traxion. Both appear in blackwall form, and both are offered within the 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 size range tied to this D350 fitment set.
Those series names give the buyer a practical way to compare products after confirming the truck's correct size family. Once the size is settled, it makes sense to compare the series alongside wheel-width compatibility, weight, and any stated maximum load figure, especially on a one-ton Dodge that may still be used for hauling or towing.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
A period-style 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 usually starts with staying in the truck's correct original-style size family and, in many cases, keeping the bias-ply construction. That means 800-16.5 for the DRW truck or 950-16.5 for the Base truck, both of which are available as blackwall STA truck tires.
That approach preserves a traditional heavy-duty look that suits an early-1980s one-ton Dodge. For owners who want exact historical authenticity, tire choice should also be checked against vehicle-specific documentation or marque knowledge, because the right size family is only one part of a truly restoration-oriented presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A bias-ply size such as 800-16.5 or 950-16.5 maintains a more traditional vintage truck presentation, while the matching radial sizes move the truck into a different construction style.
That makes construction a restoration choice as much as a driving choice. Owners aiming for a work-truck look often focus on the correct size family, blackwall styling, and the traditional stance created by a bias-ply setup, while others may accept a radial format if road-use priorities matter more than period-style appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350?
Yes. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 even when the tire size appears correct on paper. That matters here because the truck already has different size families by sub-model, all built around 16.5-inch rims.
A modified D350 should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width, steering and fender clearance, and the available space under load. Those steps are especially important before moving between bias-ply and radial construction, because using the correct nominal size alone does not guarantee the same fit on a changed truck.
What should I inspect before driving a 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct 16.5-inch diameter, verify that the tire size matches the truck's sub-model, and make sure the tires are seated properly with no visible damage. A close look at valve stems, wheel condition, and inflation is especially important on an older heavy-duty truck.
The rest of the inspection should cover clearance at full steering movement, suspension condition, brake drag, and any signs that the truck sits unevenly or has been modified. A short, careful test drive can reveal rubbing, pull, or vibration early, which is far better than finding those issues once the D350 is loaded or traveling at speed.
How should 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 tires on a collector 1982 Dodge Trucks D350 be maintained?
Collector-truck tires such as 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 should be kept at the proper pressure for their use, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of sun, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage trucks still need routine tire checks because age affects tires even when tread looks good.
Maintenance also includes checking the wheels themselves and watching for changes in how the truck sits or steers. A D350 that spends time parked should be driven and inspected often enough to catch issues before a road trip or hauling task, since collector vehicles can hide tire problems that only appear once they are back in service.
