1986 Dodge Trucks W100 Tires

The 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 uses two primary radial tire sizes: 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15. Both are built for 15-inch rims, but they are not the same type of fitment. The 235/75R15 is a metric radial truck size, while 31X10.50R15 is a flotation-style light truck size with a taller and wider overall presence.

Choosing between them starts with confirming what is already on the truck. A W100 that still has a more stock-style wheel and tire setup may point you toward 235/75R15, while a truck set up for a larger off-road look may use 31X10.50R15. Wheel width, fender clearance, and any suspension changes should be checked before changing from one size to the other.

Both tire sizes used on the 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That means either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15 belongs on a 15-inch wheel, not a different wheel diameter. Rim diameter is the first fitment point to confirm before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or overall tire shape.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the whole decision, because wheel width still matters. The available 235/75R15 products span wheel widths from roughly 6 inches up into the 8-inch range, while the 31X10.50R15 option calls for a wider wheel range. Checking the actual wheel on the truck helps prevent choosing a tire that looks right on paper but does not suit the wheel already in place.

The 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 has more than one tire size because the truck can be found with two different 15-inch radial fitments: 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15. Those sizes reflect different tire-sizing conventions and different visual and practical setups. One is a more conventional metric truck radial, and the other is a larger flotation-style light truck tire.

That difference matters because the two sizes change more than just the sidewall markings. They affect the truck’s stance, wheel-width needs, and the kinds of products available in each size. Before settling on one, verify the wheel dimensions and look closely at clearance around the fenders and steering components, especially if the truck has been modified or no longer carries its earlier wheel-and-tire combination.

A 235/75R15 tire for the 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 should first be chosen around the correct 15-inch wheel and the kind of look the truck needs. This size offers the broadest variety, including BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar products. Sidewall choices include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs.

After confirming the size, compare the product details that affect fit and presentation. Rim-width ranges vary across the available tires, and load figures and tire weights also differ. A truck aimed at utility use may lean toward an all-terrain style, while a restoration-minded or custom street presentation may point more naturally toward whitewall radials in the same size.

Sidewall style choices for the 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on tire size and series. The 235/75R15 fitment has the widest appearance range, while 31X10.50R15 centers on a raised white letter all-terrain presentation. That gives this truck unusually broad visual flexibility for a single year-make-model page.

The sidewall you choose changes the truck’s character as much as the tread itself. Raised white letter styling tends to suit a more rugged or period 4x4 look, while narrow and wide whitewalls shift the truck toward custom, cruiser, or restoration-inspired presentation. Sidewall style should still be chosen only after the correct size and wheel compatibility have been confirmed.

Tires for the 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 are available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. Most of that variety appears in 235/75R15, where buyers can compare different sidewall treatments and tire series. The 31X10.50R15 fitment is represented by BFGoodrich in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, wheel compatibility, and the truck’s intended use rather than treated as the only decision. Some products focus on an all-terrain truck look, while others emphasize whitewall styling for a more custom or vintage-inspired appearance. Comparing the series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width specification is usually more useful than choosing by brand name alone.

A period-style 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 tire choice starts with deciding whether the truck should present as a more traditional 4x4 or a more customized street-oriented pickup. In that context, 235/75R15 offers the broadest range of visual options, including raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall radials. The 31X10.50R15 option leans more clearly toward a tougher light-truck stance.

Appearance should be balanced against the truck’s actual wheel setup and how the finished vehicle will be used. A restoration-oriented build may favor a tire that preserves a familiar 1980s truck look, while a custom presentation may call for a whitewall treatment. When exact historical accuracy matters, comparing against marque references or period photos can help narrow the final choice.

On the 1986 Dodge Trucks W100, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the main appearance difference comes less from construction changes and more from size format and sidewall styling. A 235/75R15 radial can look very different depending on whether it carries raised white letters, a narrow whitewall, or a wide whitewall. A 31X10.50R15 radial changes the visual character further by adding a larger, broader stance.

That means a restored truck’s finished look depends heavily on matching the tire’s profile and sidewall treatment to the intended build style. A rugged four-wheel-drive presentation may favor the flotation-style all-terrain look, while a more custom or nostalgic street appearance may point to one of the whitewall radials. The wheel width and overall vehicle stance should still be confirmed before finalizing that appearance decision.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 even when the rim diameter remains 15 inches. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, suspension lifts, lowering, or worn springs can all influence how 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15 sits in the wheel opening. Steering clearance can change as well, especially with the larger flotation-style size.

That is why a modified truck should be checked as it currently sits rather than judged only by year and model. Look at full-lock steering clearance, fender clearance, and the relationship between the tire and suspension components. The larger 31X10.50R15 deserves extra attention because its width and height make wheel choice and vehicle stance more critical than with a more conventional metric tire.

Before driving a 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, then check that the tires seat properly and hold pressure evenly. Look over the steering and suspension for looseness, worn bushings, or alignment-related wear that could affect how the new tires track. On an older four-wheel-drive truck, those supporting parts matter almost as much as the tires themselves.

A short, careful road test is a smart follow-up after installation. Listen for rubbing at full steering lock, watch for vibration, and recheck inflation after the first drive. It also helps to confirm that the spare, if still carried for road use, matches the truck’s current wheel and tire approach closely enough to be useful rather than serving as a leftover from an earlier setup.

Tires on a collector 1986 Dodge Trucks W100 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Even a truck that sees limited mileage can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or damage from long storage. Tread depth alone is not enough on a low-use vehicle that may spend long periods parked between outings.

Storage conditions make a real difference. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires’ condition and appearance. It is also wise to inspect the tires before every longer drive, especially if the truck has not been used recently, and to look closely for bulges, cuts, or uneven wear that could point to a wheel or suspension issue.