The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 belongs to the era when one-ton pickups were expected to do real work, whether that meant hauling, towing, or serving as a heavy-duty farm and jobsite truck. Buyers looking after one today often want a tire that respects that serious-duty character while still matching the truck’s actual wheel and fitment needs. The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 uses a 235/85R16 radial tire on a 16-inch rim. Available choices in that size lean toward a modern heavy-duty radial presentation, including a raised white letter sidewall option. For a stock-style restoration or a road-ready driver, the key is confirming wheel width, overall condition, and intended use before choosing.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350
The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 uses one primary tire size: 235/85R16. It is a radial tire fitted to a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size. That means the main decision is less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about choosing the right tire within that size, while confirming wheel width, load capacity, and the truck’s present-day setup.
A 235/85R16 uses a modern metric size format: 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350, this size suits the truck’s heavy-duty one-ton character and gives you a contemporary radial fitment rather than an older bias-ply format. Available product choice in this size includes BFGoodrich’s All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters. It is the right place to start when you want to keep the truck on its primary fitment while comparing appearance, intended use, and wheel compatibility.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary size, so selection is mainly about choosing the right tire within that fitment and confirming the truck still has the expected 16-inch wheel setup.
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1986 Dodge Trucks D350 Base
The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 Base uses the same 235/85R16 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection simple, but it is still worth confirming wheel width and checking for aftermarket changes before settling on a heavy-duty road or mixed-use tire.
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 Trucks D350 Tires for Sale
For the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350, the available 235/85R16 product choice centers on a radial heavy-duty truck tire from BFGoodrich in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, with raised white letters and a 16-inch fitment suited to 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim widths.
These 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 tire FAQs focus on the truck’s 235/85R16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, product selection, restoration-minded appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a heavy-duty older pickup back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 uses a 235/85R16 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model and it matches a 16-inch rim, giving the truck a modern metric radial size rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric bias-ply format.
Using the correct size is the starting point, but an older one-ton truck still deserves a closer look before new tires go on. Check that the truck still has the expected 16-inch wheels, confirm wheel width, and make sure any replacement tire also suits the load demands and real-world use of the truck.
What size rim does a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 is built around a 16-inch rim. Its 235/85R16 tire size is a clear 16-inch application, so wheel diameter should be confirmed before comparing tire options or replacing an older set.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a heavy-duty truck. It also helps to confirm wheel width, especially if the truck has seen replacement steel wheels or aftermarket changes over the years, since the available 235/85R16 product is intended for a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range.
Does the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 Base uses the same 235/85R16 radial tire size as the model core. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and avoids the extra step of sorting through multiple factory tire sizes within the covered D350 lineup.
Even with shared fitment, it is smart to inspect the truck before ordering tires. Older work trucks are often modified for towing, stance, or wheel replacement, and those changes can affect the wheel setup that is actually on the truck today, even when the original D350 fitment remains straightforward.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
Start with the correct size, which is 235/85R16, then compare the tire’s construction, load capacity, rim-width suitability, and intended use. On this truck, the available choice is a radial BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with a maximum load capacity of 3,042 lbs at 80 psi and a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range.
That means the decision is really about how the truck will be used and whether the wheel setup matches the tire. A D350 kept for utility driving, towing support, or mixed paved and unpaved use may call for different priorities than a restoration-oriented truck that is driven lightly and valued for its period-style presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 tires?
The available 235/85R16 option for the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 uses an RWL sidewall, meaning raised white letters. That gives the truck a more assertive, period-flavored light-truck appearance than a plain blackwall, while still staying within the correct primary tire size.
Sidewall style matters mostly for appearance, but it can change how the truck feels visually, especially on a square-body 1980s heavy-duty pickup. Buyers trying to balance utility character with a cleaner restoration look should decide early whether a raised white letter presentation suits the truck’s finish, wheel style, and intended personality.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
The available tire choice for the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 is from BFGoodrich. It is offered in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series in the truck’s 235/85R16 size, giving buyers a recognizable heavy-duty radial option within the correct fitment.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a one-ton pickup. It still helps to compare the tire’s sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, load figure, and overall character against how the truck is used, especially if the D350 is expected to carry weight, spend time on rural roads, or serve as a collector truck with occasional use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
A period-style 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 should still begin with the correct 235/85R16 fitment. Since this truck uses a radial primary size, the most important choice is finding a tire in that size whose overall character suits the truck, whether the goal is a more work-ready look or a cleaner collector presentation.
The available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 brings a distinctly truck-oriented appearance that fits the D350’s heavy-duty personality. Buyers seeking strict restoration accuracy should also compare the truck’s current wheels, finish, and historical references, because period-style and exact as-built presentation are not always the same thing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
On the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350, tire construction is already part of the truck’s primary fitment story because it uses a radial 235/85R16. That means a restored truck can keep the proper basic construction type while still showing different visual character through tread style and sidewall treatment.
Appearance changes more through the tire’s overall presentation than through a bias-ply versus radial debate on this application. Raised white letters, wheel finish, ride height, and the truck’s intended stance all shape the final look, so those details deserve as much attention as the raw size when planning a restoration-oriented setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350?
Yes. Even though the 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 uses a straightforward 235/85R16 fitment, modifications can still change what works on the truck. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can all affect clearance and the relationship between the tire and the truck’s actual setup.
That matters because a correct size on paper may still need a closer inspection in the real world. Measure the wheel diameter and width already on the truck, check steering and fender clearance, and look at front-end and suspension condition before mounting tires, especially if the D350 has spent years in work service.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 on new tires?
Before putting a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 back into service on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall suspension and steering condition. It also helps to check for uneven wear patterns from the old tires, since those can point to alignment, worn components, or load-related issues.
A one-ton truck places real demands on its tires, so the inspection should go beyond the rubber itself. Confirm proper inflation for the tire and the truck’s use, make sure there is no rubbing at full steering travel, and keep an eye on early wear or air loss during the first miles after installation.
How should 235/85R16 tires on a collector 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 be maintained?
Collector-use 235/85R16 tires on a 1986 Dodge Trucks D350 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Tread depth is only part of the story on an older truck that may not be driven often, so sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve equal attention.
Storage habits matter, too. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can reduce long-term flat spotting. Before any longer drive, inspect each tire carefully and confirm the truck is still carrying its load in a way that matches the tire’s capabilities.
