The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 sits in the era when one-ton 4x4 pickups were built first for work, towing, and off-road durability rather than car-like refinement. Buyers and restorers are often dealing with trucks that have seen ranch, utility, snowplow, or heavy hauling use, so tire choice matters as much for stance and wheel compatibility as for appearance. The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 uses a 950-16.5 bias-ply tire on a 16.5-inch rim. Within that size, the main choices center on STA truck-oriented series with a traditional Blackwall presentation. For a restoration-minded truck or a usable vintage work pickup, the goal is choosing the correct size first, then matching the tire's character to how the truck will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350
The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 uses one primary tire size: 950-16.5. That fitment is a bias-ply truck tire on a 16.5-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered W350 Base configuration. Once the size is confirmed, the real decision shifts to selecting the right tire series for the truck's intended use, appearance, and wheel compatibility.
A 950-16.5 numeric bias-ply size uses a nominal section width designation of 9.50 inches, with the final number identifying a 16.5-inch wheel. On the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350, this is a traditional bias-ply truck fitment that suits the heavy-duty, utility-focused character of the vehicle. Available choices in this size include STA's Traxion and Super Transport series, both in Blackwall form and both carrying Military & Truck attributes. This size is the right place to start when keeping the truck on its proper rim diameter and preserving a period-style heavy-duty tire presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350. The covered W350 Base configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the key checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and whether the truck still retains its original-style setup.
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1985 Dodge Trucks W350 Base
The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 Base uses the 950-16.5 bias-ply tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right truck-oriented series and confirming that the wheel remains a 16.5-inch rim with compatible width before mounting new tires.
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 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 Tires for Sale
Available 950-16.5 tires for the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 come from STA in the Traxion and Super Transport series. Both are Blackwall bias-ply truck tires with Military & Truck attributes, and both are made to order for 16.5-inch wheels with similar rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 tire size, 16.5-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, product selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 uses a 950-16.5 tire size. This is a bias-ply truck fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the W350 covered here, including the Base sub-model.
That means the first step is confirming that the truck still has 16.5-inch wheels, since a 16-inch wheel and a 16.5-inch tire are not the same. On older work trucks, wheel changes are common, so checking the actual wheel diameter and width on the truck matters before choosing between the available 950-16.5 tire options.
What size rim does a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 use?
The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 uses a 16.5-inch rim with its 950-16.5 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for a 16.5-inch wheel and use rim-width ranges in the 6.50 to 6.75 inch range.
Rim diameter is the most important detail to verify on a truck of this age because replacement wheels, service wheels, and later swaps are common. A truck wearing 16-inch or aftermarket wheels needs a different tire plan entirely, so measuring the wheel and confirming its width is just as important as matching the tire size stamped on the sidewall.
Does the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 Base uses the same 950-16.5 bias-ply tire size. There is no separate primary size for the covered Base configuration.
That keeps fitment simple, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the truck itself. Many one-ton 4x4 pickups have spent decades in working service, and wheels may have been replaced along the way. Even when the Base sub-model points to one tire size, the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and overall truck setup still deserve a careful look before ordering tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-16.5 tire for a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
Start with the basics: the correct 950-16.5 size, bias-ply construction, and a true 16.5-inch wheel. For the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350, the available choices stay within a traditional heavy-duty truck format, so the decision is less about size variation and more about tire series and wheel compatibility.
From there, compare practical details such as rim-width specification, tire series, weight, and the truck's intended use. A restoration-minded owner may want a period-style Blackwall look, while a regularly driven truck may be chosen around service needs and overall setup. The condition of the wheels and whether the truck remains stock should guide the final choice.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
STA offers tires for the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 in the 950-16.5 size. The available choices include the Traxion and Super Transport series, both built as bias-ply Blackwall truck tires.
Since the brand is the same across the available options, the more meaningful comparison is between the tire series and how each one suits the truck's role. A buyer should also compare the shared 16.5-inch rim fitment, the 6.50 to 6.75 inch wheel-width range, and whether the truck is being kept for vintage utility use, restoration presentation, or occasional road driving.
What tire series are available for the 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
The 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 has 950-16.5 tire options in STA's Traxion and Super Transport series. Both are bias-ply Blackwall tires with Military & Truck attributes and are intended for 16.5-inch wheels.
That gives the buyer a useful product-level choice without changing the truck's primary size. Comparing the series side by side helps narrow the decision by intended use, tire character, and details such as weight and rim-width compatibility. On an older one-ton truck, choosing within the correct size is often more important than chasing a different fitment altogether.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
A period-style starting point for a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 is the original-type 950-16.5 bias-ply format on a 16.5-inch wheel. Keeping the truck in its primary size preserves the heavy-duty visual character that suits a mid-1980s one-ton Dodge 4x4.
Within that fitment, the choice comes down to the available STA series and whether the truck is being restored as a work-oriented pickup, a collector truck, or a usable vintage hauler. Exact originality can depend on factors beyond size alone, so buyers pursuing highly specific historical accuracy should compare the truck against marque references and surviving factory-era documentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
Tire construction has a visible effect on the look of a restored 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 because a bias-ply truck tire presents the kind of traditional stance and sidewall character associated with older heavy-duty pickups. In this fitment, the primary size remains a bias-ply 950-16.5.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it matters on a restoration-oriented truck. Staying with the proper size and construction helps preserve the visual balance between the tire, wheel opening, and 16.5-inch wheel. Even so, wheel condition, ride height, and any aftermarket changes can influence the final result just as much as the tire itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 even when the target size remains 950-16.5. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body alterations can all affect whether the intended tire setup still suits the truck.
A truck that has been lifted, lowered, or converted to a different wheel diameter needs a closer review before returning to the original-size format. Checking actual wheel diameter and width, steering clearance, and fender clearance helps prevent mismatches. That is especially important on older work trucks, where years of repairs and parts substitutions can leave the truck different from its original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, make sure the tires are mounted on compatible 16.5-inch rims, and check inflation, valve stems, and overall installation quality. On a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350, the condition of the truck itself matters almost as much as the new tires.
A careful pre-drive look should also include steering components, suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing at full lock or over suspension travel. Older one-ton 4x4 trucks often have hard-service history, so it is wise to recheck lug torque, inspect for air loss after initial use, and look again for clearance issues once the truck is back on the road.
How should 950-16.5 tires on a collector 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 be maintained?
Collector-use 950-16.5 tires on a 1985 Dodge Trucks W350 should be kept properly inflated, visually inspected often, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Because many vintage trucks see low annual mileage, age and condition deserve as much attention as tread depth.
Regular checks should include sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss. It also helps to look over the wheels at the same time, since rust, bead-seat issues, or past service damage can affect reliability. A truck that sits for long periods benefits from periodic movement and inspection before each outing rather than relying on appearance alone.