The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat sits in a distinctive corner of the compact pickup world, blending Subaru’s car-based packaging with light-duty utility and the offbeat character that made the Brat a lasting enthusiast favorite. By the mid-1980s, this was a practical vehicle with clear period personality, and tire choice still plays a big role in how it looks and drives today. The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat uses a 185/70R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim. Available choices range from understated blackwall radials to more restoration-minded whitewall and redline treatments. The real decision is matching that correct size to your Brat’s appearance goals, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat
The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat uses one primary tire size: 185/70R13, a metric radial built for a 13-inch rim. The covered GL sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not between different fitments, but between the available radial tire styles, brands, and presentation options that suit your truck's condition and intended use.
The 185/70R13 size uses modern metric sizing: 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat, this is the primary radial fitment and the basis for keeping the truck on its intended 13-inch wheel setup. Available choices include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall versions, along with series such as Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Sprint Classic, SP Sport Aquajet, and Michelin XDX-B. That gives you room to balance period-style appearance, brand preference, and wheel compatibility within the correct size.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, with the covered Brat configuration sharing the same primary tire size. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that tire selection should focus on style, brand, and wheel compatibility rather than switching to a different size.
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1985 Subaru Trucks Brat GL
The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat GL uses the 185/70R13 radial tire size on a 13-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing among the available radial products, sidewall styles, and rim-width-compatible options that best match the truck’s appearance and road 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 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat Tires for Sale
The available 185/70R13 choices span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Series differences and rim-width ranges give the Brat owner a useful mix of restoration-oriented and road-focused radial options within the correct size.
These FAQs for the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat focus on the 185/70R13 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, available radial tire choices, appearance considerations, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era Brat back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
The 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat uses a 185/70R13 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model and matches a 13-inch rim, making it the starting point for any replacement tire search. The covered GL sub-model uses the same basic size, so the fitment question is straightforward at the model level.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the right version of that size for the truck. Available 185/70R13 options vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification, and rim-width range, so the best match depends on whether the goal is a more understated blackwall look or a stronger period-style presentation with a redline or whitewall.
What size rim does a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat use?
The primary tire size for the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat is built for a 13-inch rim. The 185/70R13 designation ends with 13, which identifies the wheel diameter in inches, and the available products in this fitment are also built around that same rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is smart to check wheel width as well before choosing among available tires. Some 185/70R13 products list usable rim-width ranges such as 4.5 to 6.0 inches, 4.5 to 6.5 inches, or 5.0 to 6.5 inches, and that can affect which tire is the best match for the wheels currently on the Brat.
What does 185/70R13 mean on a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
In 185/70R13, the 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a modern metric radial format, which is more familiar to current buyers than older numeric or alphanumeric vintage tire sizing systems.
Understanding that code helps narrow the search to tires that match both the wheel diameter and the general dimensions intended for the Brat. It also helps separate true 185/70R13 fitments from similar-looking tires that may use the same rim diameter but differ in width or profile, which can change clearance, stance, and the overall look of the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat uses a 185/70R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. From there, compare the available tires by rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and any clearly stated load or speed-related product details that matter for how the truck will be used.
A Brat kept close to stock often benefits from choosing a tire that suits both the wheel and the overall presentation of the vehicle. A blackwall can preserve a more understated appearance, while redline or wide whitewall options create a stronger vintage look. It is also worth confirming that the selected tire matches the actual wheels on the truck, especially if they are not original.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat tires?
The 185/70R13 fitment for the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat is available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices make up most of the selection, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial adds redline and 2-inch whitewall options for owners who want a more restoration-oriented or period-style presentation.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of the Brat even when the tire size stays the same. A blackwall keeps the appearance simple and utilitarian, while a redline or wide whitewall makes the tire more noticeable and can shift the truck toward a more personalized vintage look. Appearance should still be balanced with correct size, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
Available 185/70R13 tires for the 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat come from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover a mix of traditional-looking radial choices and more performance-oriented classic radial lines, giving the Brat owner several directions to consider without leaving the correct size.
Brand alone should not be the only decision point. It helps to compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, series character, and wheel-width fitment before choosing one for the truck. A Brat aimed at casual cruise use may call for a different presentation than one being refreshed with a stronger period look, even though both stay within the same 185/70R13 fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
A period-style starting point for a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat is staying with the correct 185/70R13 radial size and choosing a tire whose visual character suits the truck. Blackwall options keep the look restrained, while a redline or wide whitewall version can create a more stylized vintage presentation without changing the basic fitment.
The right choice depends on how the Brat is being restored or presented. Some owners want a cleaner stock-leaning look, while others prefer a more expressive period-style appearance. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque-specific historical references and survivor vehicles, then matching that research to a tire in the proper size and wheel range.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because the tire has a major effect on how a restored 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat sits, looks, and behaves on the road. Using the proper 185/70R13 radial size helps preserve the intended relationship between the wheel opening, ride height impression, and overall character of this compact Subaru pickup.
Even a visually appealing tire can look out of place if the size or wheel pairing is off. During a restoration, it helps to confirm the wheel diameter, check wheel width, and choose a sidewall style that supports the truck’s finished appearance. That approach keeps the tire from becoming an afterthought and makes the restoration feel more complete and coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat even when the intended tire size remains 185/70R13. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body and fender modifications can all influence clearance, steering movement, and how well a tire works with the truck’s current setup.
A Brat that has been lowered, lifted, or fitted with non-stock wheels should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Confirm the actual wheel diameter and width first, then inspect clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel. That process matters whether the truck is being preserved close to stock or updated with a more custom stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and check that the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and basic wheel condition so the new 185/70R13 tires are starting from a sound foundation.
The rest of the truck deserves attention as well, especially on a low-use collector vehicle. Check for steering looseness, worn suspension parts, brake issues, and any signs that the tires may contact body or suspension components. A short, careful test drive can reveal vibration, pull, or clearance issues before the Brat is taken on a longer outing.
How should 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1985 Subaru Trucks Brat be maintained?
Collector-use 185/70R13 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, especially on a Brat that spends long periods parked. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Storage environment makes a difference too. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to move the vehicle periodically or maintain it in a way that avoids long-term flat spotting, then inspect the tires again before returning the Brat to regular road use.
