The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy sits squarely in the era of full-size utility vehicles that had to balance everyday road use with real truck capability. Buyers and collectors are often drawn to these Jimmys for their upright styling, removable-top SUV character, and honest 1980s truck presence. Tire fitment for the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy stays within 15-inch radial sizes, but the actual choice spans 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 depending on the wheel and stance you are trying to preserve. That opens the door to all-terrain looks, whitewall presentation, and different radial profiles. The key is matching the tire to the vehicle’s wheel setup, appearance goals, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy
The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy uses three primary tire sizes, and all three are radial tires built for 15-inch wheels. Because the same sizes appear across the covered sub-models, the first step is usually confirming which wheel width and tire profile are already on the truck, then choosing the size that best matches its current setup, intended look, and road use.
A 215/75R15 uses a 215-millimeter section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy, this size works as a more moderate 15-inch radial fitment and gives access to a broad mix of tire styles. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar, with narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and RBL sidewall treatments across several series. This size is worth considering when maintaining a stock-leaning profile and comparing appearance-driven options within the correct rim diameter.
A 235/75R15 follows the same modern metric radial format, but with a 235-millimeter section width and a 75-series profile on a 15-inch wheel. For the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy, it represents a wider radial option than 215/75R15 while staying within the same rim diameter family. Product choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar, with raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. This size makes sense when the truck already has the wheel width to support it and the goal is a fuller-looking 15-inch tire.
A 31X10.50R15 expresses tire sizing by approximate overall diameter and section width, pairing a 31-inch-tall tire with a 10.50-inch section width on a 15-inch radial construction. On the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy, this is the most truck-oriented fitment of the three and carries a noticeably more aggressive profile than the metric sizes. The available option here is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, which gives the size a distinctly utility-focused presentation. This size deserves close wheel-width and clearance checks before selection, especially on trucks that may have changed from their original setup.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy sub-models because the same three 15-inch radial sizes appear on both. Even so, checking the exact sub-model and current wheel setup still matters before choosing between the narrower metric sizes and the larger flotation-style option.
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1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy Base
The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy Base uses the same 15-inch radial fitment range as the other covered sub-model, with 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 all in play. That makes tire selection less about trim level and more about confirming the wheels on the truck, then choosing the profile, sidewall style, and intended use that suit it best.
The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy Silverado shares the same three radial tire sizes used on 15-inch wheels, so fitment does not split by sub-model here. The practical choice comes down to whether the truck is set up for a more standard metric radial look or a taller all-terrain-style 31-inch 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 GMC Trucks Jimmy Tires for Sale
Available 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy tires span 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 in radial construction, with choices from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. The product mix includes all-terrain, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, raised white letter, and black sidewall presentations across several distinct tire series.
These 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy tire FAQs focus on the three 15-inch radial sizes, sub-model fitment, sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel, clearance, and maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy?
The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy uses three primary tire sizes: 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15. All three are radial tires and all three use a 15-inch rim diameter, so the main fitment difference is not wheel diameter but the tire’s width, profile, and overall size family.
Choosing among them starts with the wheels currently on the truck. A Jimmy that already wears one of the metric sizes may need a different wheel-width range than a truck set up for 31X10.50R15, so checking wheel width, clearance, and the truck’s present stance is more useful than selecting by appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy use?
The tire sizes used on the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy all share a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15, which means the vehicle’s tire choices stay within the same basic wheel diameter even though the tire shapes and intended looks can differ quite a bit.
Rim diameter is only the first check, though. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a narrower 215/75R15 to a much broader 31X10.50R15, so it is smart to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the truck before deciding that any 15-inch tire in this group belongs on your setup.
Do all 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy sub-models share the same three tire sizes: 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15. Both the Base and Silverado versions use those same 15-inch radial fitment choices, so there is no split here where one sub-model is tied to a completely different tire family.
That does not mean every Jimmy on the road should use the same size today. Many trucks have had wheel changes over the years, and a vehicle wearing 31-inch tires may have a different wheel-width and clearance situation than one running a standard metric radial, so the truck’s current setup still deserves a close look.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy tire?
Start with the correct size family for the truck: 215/75R15, 235/75R15, or 31X10.50R15. From there, the most useful comparisons are wheel compatibility, sidewall treatment, tire series, load capacity at the stated inflation pressure where given, and whether the truck is being set up for restoration-minded road use or a more utility-focused appearance.
A whitewall radial changes the character of the Jimmy very differently than an all-terrain raised white letter tire, even when both are built for a 15-inch wheel. Matching the tire to the truck’s actual wheels and the way it will be driven usually leads to a better decision than choosing strictly by brand or tread name.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy tires?
The 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy has a wide spread of sidewall styles depending on tire size. Available treatments include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, RBL, and RWL, with the metric radial sizes carrying the most appearance variety and the 31X10.50R15 option leaning toward a more truck-oriented raised white letter presentation.
Sidewall style has a strong effect on how the Jimmy looks from the curb. A narrow or wide whitewall can support a more restoration-oriented or custom street appearance, while RWL and RBL choices suit a more utility or performance-truck feel, so it helps to decide early whether appearance or off-road character is the bigger priority.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy?
Tires for the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. Across the supported sizes, those brands cover all-terrain truck tires as well as classic-style radial options with different whitewall widths and sidewall presentations.
Brand alone is not the whole decision. Some choices are centered on all-terrain use and raised white letter styling, while others are clearly aimed at a more traditional road-going look, so comparing size, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility will usually tell you more than the badge on the sidewall by itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy?
A period-style 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy tire choice usually starts by deciding whether the truck should present as a road-oriented SUV or as a more utility-focused 4x4. The 215/75R15 and 235/75R15 sizes offer the broadest range of classic-looking whitewall radial choices, while 31X10.50R15 pushes the Jimmy toward a more rugged truck stance.
Appearance should still follow the wheel setup already on the vehicle. A restoration-minded truck may look more cohesive with a metric radial and a whitewall treatment, but an owner chasing a tougher 1980s truck look may prefer the larger all-terrain presentation, provided wheel width and clearance are checked carefully first.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy?
On the 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy, construction is simpler than on many earlier collector vehicles because the primary fitments are all radial. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from the size itself, sidewall treatment, and whether the truck wears a clean metric radial or a taller flotation-style all-terrain tire.
That means restoration appearance depends heavily on proportion and presentation. A wide whitewall 235/75R15 creates a very different impression than an RWL 31X10.50R15, so owners trying to match a specific era look should compare period photos, dealership literature, or marque references before settling on one sidewall style or overall tire profile.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy even though all primary sizes use a 15-inch rim. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lifts or lowering, and body or steering components in different positions can all affect whether a given tire size works cleanly on the truck.
That matters most when moving toward the larger 31X10.50R15 size, but it also applies to the metric radials. A Jimmy that no longer has its original-style wheel and suspension setup should have clearance checked at full steering lock and through suspension travel before settling on a wider or taller tire choice.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy on new tires?
Before putting a 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width match the selected tire, and make sure the tires clear the suspension, steering components, and bodywork. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately for the tire and intended use.
A collector-era truck may have issues beyond the tires themselves, so it is wise to look over alignment, brake condition, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing after the first short drive. Catching those details early helps protect the new tires and gives a better read on how the Jimmy is actually sitting and tracking.
How should tires on a collector 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 GMC Trucks Jimmy should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even if the truck is driven only occasionally. Sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss deserve attention before a weekend cruise or a longer highway run.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a low-use truck. Keeping the Jimmy away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and moving or driving the vehicle periodically helps avoid long-term flat spotting that sometimes appears when collector vehicles sit in one place too long.
