The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 sits in the square-body era that still appeals to working-truck owners, restoration-minded collectors, and drivers who actually use their vintage 4x4s. These heavy-duty Chevrolet pickups were built around utility, load carrying, and four-wheel-drive durability, so tire selection matters as much for stance and clearance as it does for appearance. The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 uses radial 16-inch fitments, with either 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 depending on the specific GVWR configuration. That makes the real decision less about vintage bias-ply styling and more about confirming the exact sub-model, then choosing the right size and sidewall presentation for the truck’s intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20
Two tire sizes apply to the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20, and both are radial fitments on 16-inch rims. The first step is identifying the exact GVWR configuration, because 6600-rated trucks use one size while 8600-rated front and rear positions use another. Once that is confirmed, the decision becomes choosing a tire that matches the truck’s wheel width, load needs, and intended road or trail use.
215/85R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20, this size is used on certain 6600 GVWR configurations and reflects a tall, narrow heavy-duty truck fitment. This page’s product assortment does not show the same variety here as it does in 235/85R16, so size confirmation is especially important. It is the right starting point when the truck still carries the wheel and GVWR setup associated with that narrower 16-inch tire.
235/85R16 is also a metric radial size, with 235 representing nominal section width in millimeters, 85 indicating the aspect ratio, and 16 calling for a 16-inch rim. On the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20, this size is used on 8600 GVWR front and rear applications, making it the heavier-duty of the two listed fitments. Available choices in this size include a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls and a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range. It is the size to evaluate when the truck’s wheel setup, load demands, and axle configuration match the 8600-rated K20 application.
Sub-model fitment on the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 depends on GVWR configuration rather than trim name alone. Custom, Scottsdale, and Silverado trucks can share the same size within a given rating, so verifying the exact 6600 or 8600 application matters before choosing tires.
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1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Custom (GVWR 6600)
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Custom (GVWR 6600) uses the 215/85R16 radial size. Tire selection here centers on keeping the correct narrower heavy-duty fitment and confirming that the truck still carries the wheel setup intended for that 16-inch size.
1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Custom (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Custom (GVWR 8600) Front uses 235/85R16 radial tires. That makes wheel-width compatibility and heavy-duty load use more relevant than trim appearance, especially if the truck has seen work-truck wheel changes over the years.
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Custom (GVWR 8600) Rear also uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Matching the rear size to the proper 8600-rated setup is important for maintaining the truck’s intended stance, load carrying balance, and overall fitment consistency.
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Scottsdale (GVWR 6600) uses the 215/85R16 radial size. Buyers should focus on preserving the correct GVWR-based fitment and checking whether the truck still wears original-style 16-inch wheels or later replacements.
1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Front uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Choosing within this fitment means paying attention to wheel width, sidewall style, and how the truck is used, whether for restoration, hauling, or regular road duty.
1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Rear
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Rear uses 235/85R16 radial tires as well. That shared front and rear sizing helps simplify replacement, but the truck’s actual wheels and any suspension changes should still be checked before purchase.
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Silverado (GVWR 6600) uses the 215/85R16 radial size. This fitment calls for confirming the truck’s GVWR and wheel setup first, then selecting a tire that suits the truck’s intended use without drifting into the wider 8600-rated size.
1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Front uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Buyers comparing options in this size should pay close attention to heavy-duty truck specs such as rim-width range and load capacity, not just overall appearance.
1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Rear
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Rear also uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Keeping the rear fitment aligned with the truck’s 8600-rated configuration is the key step before comparing sidewall style or tread character.
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 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 Tires for Sale
Current product choices center on 235/85R16, where the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 brings radial construction, raised white letter sidewalls, and a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range into the comparison. That makes wheel compatibility and intended truck use the main factors in the product grid.
Owners usually start with the same questions on a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20: which size belongs on the exact GVWR configuration, how the 16-inch fitment should be verified, and what to inspect before putting a square-body truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20?
The 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 uses either 215/85R16 or 235/85R16, and both are radial sizes for 16-inch rims. The 215/85R16 size is used on 6600 GVWR sub-models, while 235/85R16 is used on 8600 GVWR front and rear applications across Custom, Scottsdale, and Silverado trims.
The key is matching the tire to the truck’s exact GVWR configuration rather than choosing by trim name alone. Many older K20s have had wheels, axles, or suspension parts changed over time, so it helps to confirm the truck’s current setup before settling on one of the two listed sizes.
What size rim does a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 use?
Both listed tire sizes for the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 use a 16-inch rim diameter. That means either 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 is built around the same basic rim diameter, even though the two tires differ in width and overall dimensions.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. Wheel width still matters, especially on the 235/85R16 fitment where one available tire is intended for a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range. Verifying the wheel dimensions on the truck is a smart step before choosing between the narrower and wider K20 tire sizes.
Why does the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 because fitment changes with GVWR configuration. Trucks rated at 6600 GVWR use 215/85R16, while 8600 GVWR applications use 235/85R16 at both the front and rear, regardless of whether the trim is Custom, Scottsdale, or Silverado.
That distinction matters because the truck’s weight rating and wheel setup affect which size belongs on it. A K20 that has been modified or pieced together over decades may not still match its original configuration, so checking the actual wheels, current clearance, and intended use is just as important as reading the badge.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20?
Start by confirming that the truck is one of the 8600 GVWR K20 applications, since that is where 235/85R16 belongs. From there, compare radial construction details that matter to a heavy-duty pickup, including sidewall style, tire series, load capacity, and the wheel-width range the tire is designed to use.
One 235/85R16 option here is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls, a 3,042-pound maximum load at 80 psi, and a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range. Those details are useful if the truck still sees hauling, highway driving, or light off-road use and needs a tire matched to its actual wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 tires?
Among the currently shown K20 products, 235/85R16 is available with an RWL sidewall, meaning raised white letters. That gives the truck a more traditional late-classic 4x4 presentation than a plain black sidewall and can matter to owners who want the tire to look right on a square-body Chevrolet.
Sidewall style should still come after confirming the correct size and wheel setup. A K20 built around 215/85R16 needs the right fitment first, while an 8600 GVWR truck using 235/85R16 can then weigh whether raised white letters suit its restoration direction, work-truck character, or everyday appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20?
The currently shown product coverage for the 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 includes BFGoodrich in 235/85R16. That tire appears in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, giving the K20 owner a recognizable heavy-duty truck option within one of the listed radial fitments.
Brand choice only becomes useful after the truck’s exact size is confirmed, since the K20 does not use one size across all configurations. Once the GVWR-based fitment is settled, compare the available brand by its sidewall styling, load specification, rim-width compatibility, and how closely it matches the way the truck is driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20?
A period-style choice for a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 starts with the correct GVWR-based size: 215/85R16 for 6600-rated trucks or 235/85R16 for 8600-rated front and rear applications. Because this K20 uses radial fitments, preserving the proper dimensions and wheel relationship usually matters more than chasing an earlier-style construction.
Appearance can then be tailored around how the truck is being finished. A raised white letter 235/85R16 can suit a square-body 4x4 look, but exact originality claims should be checked against model-specific literature, build records, or marque knowledge if the goal is a tightly researched restoration rather than a broadly period-inspired presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 because the truck uses different sizes depending on GVWR configuration. Getting that size wrong can change the truck’s stance, its working-truck character, and the way the finished restoration reads to anyone familiar with square-body Chevrolet heavy-duty pickups.
Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. The right 16-inch size should match the wheel setup, maintain reasonable clearance, and align with the truck’s intended load use. On a restoration that has seen replacement axles, aftermarket wheels, or suspension work, checking the actual hardware on the truck is just as important as choosing the trim-correct look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 even when the tire size looks correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension lifts, spring changes, axle swaps, or body alterations can all change how a 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 tire sits in the wheel opening.
That is especially important on older trucks that may have lived several different lives. A K20 with non-original wheels should have its actual rim diameter and width checked, and clearance at steering lock and suspension travel should be reviewed before installation. Small changes in hardware can make a correct-size tire a poor match for the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the truck’s GVWR-based application, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire and use. It also helps to check lug hardware, valve stems, and whether the tires seat properly on the wheels.
A square-body truck that has sat for long periods deserves extra attention. Look over steering components, suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing once the truck is back on the ground. A short road test followed by a second inspection can reveal contact issues, air loss, or hardware problems before regular use.
How should 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 tires on a collector 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 be maintained?
Collector-use tires on a 1986 Chevrolet Trucks K20 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic evaluation for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or air loss. Even a truck that sees limited mileage can age its tires over time, so condition matters at least as much as tread depth.
Storage habits also play a big role on low-use vintage pickups. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving it occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Before a longer drive, it is wise to recheck pressure and give each tire and wheel assembly another close look.
