The 1986 Dodge Charger belongs to the front-wheel-drive Chrysler sporty compact era, when the Charger name was applied to a lighter, more contemporary performance and personal-use coupe rather than the earlier rear-drive muscle car formula. That makes tire selection for this model especially dependent on the exact trim and wheel package. The 1986 Dodge Charger uses radial tires throughout, with primary fitments ranging from 165/80R13 to 205/50R15 depending on sub-model. Available choices include blackwall and whitewall presentations, with a stronger restoration-style look on some 13-inch options. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact sub-model and wheel diameter already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Dodge Charger
Three different tire sizes apply to the 1986 Dodge Charger, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and its wheel diameter. This is not a case where every Charger used the same setup, since the Base, 2.2, and Shelby versions each pair a radial tire with a different rim size. Identifying the sub-model and confirming whether the car has 13-, 14-, or 15-inch wheels should come before comparing tire style or product details.
The 195/60R14 size uses a 195-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim. On the 1986 Dodge Charger, this is a modern radial fitment that suits the trim using the 14-inch wheel package rather than a broad all-model application. In this size, the available product is a Michelin MXV3-A blackwall, which gives the buyer a straightforward brand-and-series choice instead of multiple sidewall treatments. This size makes the most sense when the car already retains its correct 14-inch wheel setup and a performance-oriented metric radial format is the goal.
The 165/80R13 size translates to a 165-millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. For the 1986 Dodge Charger, this size is tied to the 13-inch wheel application and carries a more traditional, narrower-tire look than the larger metric fitments used on other sub-models. Available choices include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis options with wide whitewall or narrow whitewall styling. This size is worth close attention when appearance matters, especially on a car being kept in a more period-style presentation.
The 205/50R15 size denotes a 205-millimeter section width, a lower 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On the 1986 Dodge Charger, this size belongs to the sub-model equipped with the 15-inch wheel package, so it should not be treated as a universal fitment for every Charger. Its lower-profile metric radial format points the buyer toward a sportier tire presentation tied to that specific configuration. This is the size to evaluate only after confirming that the car still uses the correct 15-inch wheels and has not been changed to another diameter.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Dodge Charger because each covered version uses its own tire size and wheel diameter. Before choosing a tire, match the car to the correct trim so the wheel size, tire profile, and overall look stay in step with the vehicle’s actual setup.
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1986 Dodge Charger 2.2
The 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2 uses the 195/60R14 radial fitment, placing it on a 14-inch wheel package distinct from the other Charger versions. Tire selection here centers on staying with the correct metric radial format and confirming that the car still carries its proper 14-inch wheels.
The 1986 Dodge Charger Base uses the 165/80R13 radial size, which gives it a different wheel-and-tire presentation than the 2.2 and Shelby models. That makes the Base the trim where whitewall style choices become especially relevant once the 13-inch wheel setup has been confirmed.
The 1986 Dodge Charger Shelby uses the 205/50R15 radial size, tied to the model’s 15-inch wheel application. Tire selection for a Shelby starts with verifying that wheel diameter, since moving to the wrong rim size changes the fitment conversation immediately.
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 Dodge Charger Tires for Sale
Available product choices center on 13- and 14-inch radial fitments, with Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Maxxis represented. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall presentations, along with differences in tire series and 13-inch rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1986 Dodge Charger, how fitment changes by sub-model, and what to check when comparing wheel diameter, sidewall style, and road-use readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Dodge Charger?
A 1986 Dodge Charger does not use just one tire size across the board. The Base uses 165/80R13, the 2.2 uses 195/60R14, and the Shelby uses 205/50R15, and all three are radial tire fitments tied to different wheel diameters.
The practical step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking the wheel already on the car before selecting a tire. Many older cars have been changed over the years, so a Charger wearing a different set of wheels may no longer match the trim-based fitment it left with.
What size rim does a 1986 Dodge Charger use?
Rim size on a 1986 Dodge Charger depends on the sub-model. The Base uses a 13-inch rim with 165/80R13 tires, the 2.2 uses a 14-inch rim with 195/60R14 tires, and the Shelby uses a 15-inch rim with 205/50R15 tires.
That means wheel diameter should be verified before anything else, especially on a car that may have received aftermarket wheels or a trim swap over the years. Tire size, profile, and sidewall choices only make sense after the actual rim diameter on the vehicle has been confirmed.
Why does the 1986 Dodge Charger have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Dodge Charger has more than one tire size because the Base, 2.2, and Shelby versions use different wheel-and-tire packages. Each sub-model pairs a radial tire with its own rim diameter, which is why the sizes span 13-, 14-, and 15-inch applications.
For a buyer, that means trim identification is not just a detail on paper; it affects the entire fitment path. It also influences the tire’s visual profile, available sidewall treatments, and which products can even be considered once the car’s current wheel setup is checked.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Dodge Charger?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 165/80R13 for Base, 195/60R14 for 2.2, and 205/50R15 for Shelby. Since all of these are radial fitments, the next decisions are wheel-diameter confirmation, overall appearance, and whether the available tire choices suit the way the car is being kept or driven.
A Base model owner may focus more on whitewall presentation, while a 14-inch 2.2 application points more toward a blackwall metric radial. It also helps to compare rim-width requirements where available and confirm that the car has not been altered to a different wheel package.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Dodge Charger tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size being used. Available 1986 Dodge Charger tire options include blackwall in the 14-inch fitment, plus wide whitewall and narrow whitewall choices in the 165/80R13 size used on the Base model.
That gives the buyer both a more understated modern look and a more traditional appearance, but the sidewall style has to be considered within the correct size first. A whitewall choice may shape the car’s presentation, yet it should never override the need to match the proper wheel diameter and fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Dodge Charger?
Tires for the 1986 Dodge Charger are available from Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Maxxis across the sizes currently represented. Brand availability is tied to the specific fitment, so the 13-inch Base size has different choices than the 14-inch 2.2 application.
Brand should be considered alongside the actual tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than by name alone. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing those details will do more to narrow the right tire than simply picking a brand first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Dodge Charger?
A period-style choice starts with using the tire size that belongs to the exact 1986 Dodge Charger sub-model. For the Base, the 165/80R13 fitment offers the strongest traditional appearance because it is available with whitewall sidewall treatments in addition to radial construction.
On a 2.2 or Shelby, the visual character comes more from keeping the correct wheel diameter and tire profile than from whitewall styling. Anyone pursuing strict originality should compare the car against period literature, marque references, or restoration documentation before settling on a specific appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Dodge Charger?
On the 1986 Dodge Charger, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the appearance question is less about switching between bias-ply and radial and more about profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall style. A 165/80R13 whitewall presents very differently from a 195/60R14 or 205/50R15 blackwall metric radial.
That means restoration appearance depends heavily on matching the tire to the correct sub-model and wheel package. Even when the size is right, sidewall treatment can shift the car toward a more traditional or more understated look, so visual goals should be considered early in the selection process.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Dodge Charger?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1986 Dodge Charger even when the original trim-based size is known. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height changes, and brake or body alterations can all affect whether the car still matches its stock 13-, 14-, or 15-inch tire application.
A Charger that has been changed should be checked for actual rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering components before a new tire is chosen. Fitment questions often start with the sub-model, but modifications can make the current hardware more important than the badge.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Dodge Charger on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Dodge Charger on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. It also helps to check that there is no rubbing at full steering lock or over normal suspension movement.
Older collector-era cars can hide problems that only show up once fresh tires are installed and driven. A short, careful test drive followed by another visual inspection can reveal clearance issues, uneven seating, or air loss before the car is put into regular use or taken on a longer trip.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Dodge Charger be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Dodge Charger should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of aging from long storage. Even a car that is driven only occasionally can develop tire condition problems simply from sitting too long or being stored in poor conditions.
Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect them before each outing, since a low-mileage Charger may spend long periods parked and still need close tire attention before road use.
