The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 sits in the heavy-duty end of Dodge’s square-body pickup era, a time when one-ton trucks were expected to handle serious payload and work use without losing their straightforward mechanical character. For owners restoring, maintaining, or still using one of these trucks, tire choice is tied closely to the truck’s exact configuration. The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 uses 16.5-inch bias-ply fitments, with either 800-16.5 or 950-16.5 depending on sub-model. Available choices stay true to that traditional truck-tire presentation through STA blackwall offerings in the Super Transport and Traxion series, so the key is matching the truck’s specific setup before choosing a style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model rather than a change in rim diameter. Both fitments are bias-ply tires for 16.5-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the truck is a DRW model or a Base model. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to comparing available tire series, rim-width compatibility, and the overall look and use expected from the truck.
The 800-16.5 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format, where the 8.00 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 16.5 identifies the wheel diameter. On this Dodge Trucks D350 fitment, that means a traditional bias-ply truck tire intended for a 16.5-inch rim. Available choices include STA’s Super Transport and Traxion series, both in blackwall form with a Military & Truck character. This size is the one to evaluate when matching a D350 configuration that calls for the narrower of the two primary heavy-duty fitments.
The 950-16.5 size is also a vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with 9.50 representing the nominal section width and 16.5 indicating the wheel diameter. For the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350, it serves as the larger of the two primary bias-ply fitments on a 16.5-inch wheel. STA offers this size in blackwall form through the Traxion and Super Transport series, both aimed at traditional truck use and appearance. This is the size to verify when the truck’s exact sub-model calls for the wider one-ton fitment rather than the 800-16.5 option.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 because tire fitment changes between the covered configurations. Both use 16.5-inch bias-ply tires, but the correct size depends on whether the truck is the DRW version or the Base model.
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1983 Dodge Trucks D350 (DRW)
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 (DRW) uses the 800-16.5 bias-ply tire size. That makes the tire decision less about choosing between primary sizes and more about selecting the right blackwall truck-tire series while confirming the wheel setup still matches the original 16.5-inch fitment.
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 Base uses the 950-16.5 bias-ply tire size. For this sub-model, selection centers on staying with the correct wider heavy-duty fitment and comparing the available STA truck tire series with attention to wheel width and intended use.
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 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 Tires for Sale
Available 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 tires stay focused on traditional bias-ply truck fitments in 800-16.5 and 950-16.5. The product range centers on STA blackwall tires in the Super Transport and Traxion series, with meaningful differences in series choice, load specification, weight, and rim-width suitability.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350, how fitment changes by sub-model, and what to compare before choosing among available bias-ply truck tires for restoration or road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
A 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 uses either 800-16.5 or 950-16.5, and both are bias-ply sizes for 16.5-inch wheels. The DRW sub-model uses 800-16.5, while the Base model uses 950-16.5, so there is not one universal primary tire size across every D350 configuration.
The practical step is confirming the truck’s exact sub-model before selecting tires. It is also worth checking the actual wheels on the truck, since older work trucks are often changed over time, and choosing between the available tire series only makes sense after the correct primary size has been matched to the vehicle.
What size rim does a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 use?
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 uses a 16.5-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 are built around that same wheel diameter, even though the two tire sizes differ in section width and apply to different sub-models.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a one-ton truck like the D350. Tire selection should also account for wheel width, since the 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 products do not share the same rim-width specification, and an older truck should always be checked for swapped wheels before mounting replacement tires.
Why does the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 have more than one tire size?
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. The DRW version uses 800-16.5, while the Base model uses 950-16.5, so the size difference reflects configuration rather than a mix of interchangeable options on the same truck.
That means the first decision is not choosing between two styles of tire, but identifying which D350 configuration is actually being serviced. A truck that has been modified, restored with different wheels, or changed from its original setup should be checked carefully so the tire size, wheel width, and clearance all line up with the current vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the truck’s sub-model, since the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 uses either 800-16.5 or 950-16.5 rather than one universal fitment. From there, compare the available bias-ply options by tire series, blackwall appearance, rim-width specification, and any stated load figures that apply to that size.
A heavy-duty vintage truck benefits from a tire choice that matches how it will actually be used, whether the goal is restoration presentation, occasional hauling, or general collector-vehicle road use. Looking at wheel condition, matching all tires as a complete set, and confirming the truck still carries the proper 16.5-inch wheels will help narrow the decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
STA is the brand available for the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 in these primary fitments. Both 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 are offered in STA truck-oriented lines, giving the truck a traditional bias-ply option with a blackwall appearance that suits a work-focused vintage pickup.
Since the brand choice is straightforward here, the more useful comparison is between tire series and size-specific specifications. Looking at whether the truck needs 800-16.5 or 950-16.5 first, then comparing Super Transport and Traxion within that size, gives a much clearer path than treating all D350 tires as interchangeable.
What tire series are available for the 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
The 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 is served by the STA Super Transport and STA Traxion series in its primary bias-ply sizes. Those series appear in both 800-16.5 and 950-16.5, giving owners a choice within the correct vintage truck sizing rather than pushing them toward a different fitment.
Series choice matters because it shapes the kind of tire presentation and specification you are comparing once the correct size is confirmed. For a D350, the best approach is to treat size and wheel compatibility as the first filter, then compare the available series in that size for intended use, load needs, and restoration character.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
A period-style 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the truck’s sub-model: 800-16.5 for the DRW version or 950-16.5 for the Base model. From there, STA’s Super Transport and Traxion series keep the truck in a traditional blackwall heavy-duty presentation that suits the era.
Appearance should be considered alongside wheel compatibility and the truck’s intended use, especially on a one-ton pickup that may still see regular road miles. For a restoration where exact historical detail matters, the size and construction are the first anchor points, while final appearance choices can be checked against period photos or marque-specific references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
On a restored 1983 Dodge Trucks D350, staying with the original-style bias-ply construction preserves the visual character associated with these 16.5-inch truck fitments. Both 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 are offered as blackwall bias-ply tires, which gives the truck a traditional heavy-duty stance without introducing a more modern radial look.
Construction also influences the overall impression of the truck once it is sitting on its wheels, especially on a work-oriented Dodge where sidewall shape and tire profile are part of the presentation. That is why restoration-minded owners usually begin with the correct size and construction before comparing series details within the available options.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 even when the truck still appears close to stock. Wheel swaps, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, and body or axle-related changes can all influence whether an 800-16.5 or 950-16.5 tire remains appropriate for the truck’s current setup.
That matters because this D350 already has size differences between sub-models, so an altered truck should never be judged by appearance alone. A careful check of actual wheel diameter, wheel width, tire clearance, and the truck’s present configuration helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the badge but not the way the vehicle is equipped now.
What should I inspect before driving a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 on new tires?
Before driving a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, confirm the mounted tire size matches the truck’s sub-model, and look over the steering and suspension for anything that could affect clearance. Lug hardware, valve stems, and inflation should also be checked before the truck returns to the road.
A one-ton vintage truck can place real demand on its tires, so it is worth rechecking for sidewall clearance, even tire seating, and any rubbing during initial driving. After a short road test, another inspection for air loss, unusual contact marks, or hardware loosening helps confirm the new setup is ready for regular use.
How should 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1983 Dodge Trucks D350 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic checks for slow air loss. On a collector or lightly used truck, age and storage condition matter just as much as tread depth because tires can deteriorate long before they wear out.
Routine maintenance should also include monitoring the wheels and alignment-related wear patterns, especially if the truck carries weight or has spent years in intermittent service. Keeping the D350 out of prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources during storage can help preserve tire condition between uses and reduce surprises before a longer drive.
