The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 sits in the square-body era that still draws owners who use these trucks for work, preservation, and honest road-going utility. Built as a heavy-duty 4x4, the V20 places tire fitment close to the heart of how the truck stands, carries weight, and looks on the road. Tire choice on this model centers on two 16-inch radial sizes, 215/85R16 and 235/85R16, with the exact size tied to GVWR configuration. That makes the decision less about vintage bias-ply versus radial conversion and more about confirming the truck's specific setup, load needs, and front-to-rear fitment before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the truck's GVWR configuration. Both are radial tires for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the truck is a 6600 GVWR model or an 8600 GVWR front and rear setup before comparing tire choices.
215/85R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, this size applies to the 6600 GVWR configurations and reflects a tall, narrow truck-tire profile common to heavy-duty pickups of the period. Product choice matters because this size should be selected to match the truck's intended use and wheel setup. It is the size to focus on when maintaining the fitment used on the lighter-rated V20 configurations.
235/85R16 is also a metric radial size, with a 235-millimeter section width, an 85-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, this size is used on the 8600 GVWR front and rear applications, making it the heavier-duty fitment within this model line. Available product choice in this size includes a BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling, an E-load rating format, and a 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range. This is the size to evaluate when the truck carries the higher-GVWR configuration and tire capacity is part of the decision.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 depends mainly on GVWR rather than trim name alone. Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Silverado versions share the same pattern, so checking whether the truck is a 6600 or 8600 GVWR configuration is what matters most.
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1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 6600)
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 6600) uses the 215/85R16 radial size. Tire selection here centers on staying with the correct 16-inch metric radial fitment and confirming that the truck still has the wheel setup intended for this GVWR rating.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 8600) Front uses the 235/85R16 radial size. That makes wheel compatibility and load-oriented tire selection especially important when replacing front tires on the heavier-rated version of the truck.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 8600) Rear
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Custom Deluxe (GVWR 8600) Rear also uses 235/85R16 radials. Rear tire choice should match the truck's 16-inch wheel setup and intended service so the heavier-duty configuration keeps the proper stance and capacity.
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Scottsdale (GVWR 6600) uses the 215/85R16 radial tire size. Owners choosing replacements should keep the focus on the correct GVWR-based fitment rather than assuming every V20 Scottsdale used the wider 235 size.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Front uses 235/85R16 radials. That means the front tire decision should account for the heavier-rated configuration and any wheel changes that may have been made over the truck's working life.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Rear
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Scottsdale (GVWR 8600) Rear uses the same 235/85R16 radial size as the front. Keeping the rear fitment aligned with the truck's actual wheel and load setup is the key step before choosing among available tires.
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Silverado (GVWR 6600) uses 215/85R16 radial tires. For this configuration, the main tire decision is preserving the proper 16-inch fitment for the truck's lighter GVWR setup and present-day wheel arrangement.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Front
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Front uses 235/85R16 radials. Choosing replacements starts with confirming the heavier-duty 16-inch wheel setup, then comparing tire construction and service-oriented specifications within that size.
1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Rear
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Silverado (GVWR 8600) Rear uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Rear fitment should be checked against the truck's current wheel width, load demands, and any suspension or axle changes before settling on a replacement.
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 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 Tires for Sale
Available product choice is concentrated in 235/85R16, where BFGoodrich offers an All Terrain T/A KO2 radial with raised white letter sidewalls and a 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range. That gives buyers a useful point of comparison for load-focused, road-and-trail V20 use.
Common tire questions for the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 usually come down to size by GVWR, 16-inch rim fitment, product selection in radial truck tires, and the basic checks worth making before putting an older heavy-duty pickup back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 uses either 215/85R16 or 235/85R16, depending on the truck's GVWR configuration. The 6600 GVWR versions use 215/85R16, while the 8600 GVWR front and rear applications use 235/85R16. Both are radial tire sizes built for 16-inch rims.
The important step is matching the tire to the truck's actual configuration rather than assuming every V20 uses the same size. Trim names such as Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Silverado do not change that pattern by themselves. Check the truck's GVWR classification, present wheel setup, and any past modifications before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 use?
Both primary tire sizes used on the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 are built for 16-inch rims. That applies to the 215/85R16 fitment used on 6600 GVWR models and the 235/85R16 fitment used on 8600 GVWR front and rear applications.
Rim diameter is only the first part of the check on an older truck. Wheel width still matters, especially if the V20 has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a service-life mix of parts. The available 235/85R16 BFGoodrich option, for example, calls for a 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range, so wheel dimensions should be confirmed before mounting.
Do all 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 uses different tire sizes across its covered sub-models, and the split follows GVWR configuration. The 6600 GVWR versions use 215/85R16, while the 8600 GVWR front and rear applications use 235/85R16.
That means the sub-model name alone is not enough for tire selection. A Silverado, Scottsdale, or Custom Deluxe can share fitment with another trim, but GVWR is what changes the size. Confirm the truck's rating and wheel setup first, then choose a tire that matches the correct size, 16-inch rim diameter, and intended working or driving use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
Start with the basics: the 235/85R16 size belongs on the 8600 GVWR versions of the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, so the truck's configuration needs to be confirmed first. After that, compare construction, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and the kind of use the truck actually sees.
A V20 kept for shows or light seasonal driving may call for a different visual approach than one used on back roads, work property, or towing-duty errands. The available BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 in this size includes raised white letters and a 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range, making wheel compatibility and appearance part of the decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 tires?
Among the currently available V20 product options, the visible sidewall style is RWL, which means raised white letters. That sidewall treatment appears on the available 235/85R16 BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 and gives the truck a more assertive late-classic pickup look than a plain blackwall presentation.
Sidewall appearance should still be chosen with the truck's overall character in mind. A work-truck stance, a restored square-body look, and a trail-oriented setup can each lead to a different preference even within the correct size. Keep the proper GVWR-based tire size first, then decide whether raised white letters suit the wheel, trim, and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
BFGoodrich is represented in the current product selection for the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, specifically in 235/85R16. The available tire is the All Terrain T/A KO2 radial, a truck-focused design that combines the correct size format with a raised white letter sidewall treatment.
Brand choice only matters after the truck's exact fitment has been pinned down. A V20 owner should first verify whether the truck uses 215/85R16 or 235/85R16, then compare the available tire's specifications against wheel width, load needs, and expected driving conditions. That process is more useful than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
A period-style approach starts with using the correct primary size for the truck's GVWR configuration. On the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, that means 215/85R16 for 6600 GVWR models or 235/85R16 for 8600 GVWR applications, both in radial construction on 16-inch rims.
Once the proper size is established, appearance becomes a matter of how the truck is being presented. A more utility-minded restoration may favor a straightforward truck-tire look, while a sportier square-body presentation may benefit from raised white letters where available. Exact originality questions are best checked against truck-specific historical references and surviving examples.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
On the 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, the primary fitments are already radial, so tire construction does not create a bias-ply versus radial appearance decision. The visual character comes more from the size itself, the truck's stance, and sidewall treatment such as raised white letters on an available 235/85R16 option.
That makes correct fitment especially important on a restoration. A tire that is the wrong size for the truck's GVWR setup can change the overall look even before any wheel or sidewall choice enters the picture. Start with the proper 16-inch radial size, then evaluate sidewall styling and wheel presentation to suit the truck's intended finished character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20?
Yes. Wheel changes, suspension work, lift or lowering changes, axle swaps, and brake conversions can all affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20, even when the truck still appears to use the original size range. The V20's two primary sizes also make it important to confirm the truck's GVWR-based setup before assuming a replacement is correct.
A modified truck should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and space around springs, fenders, and suspension components. Older heavy-duty pickups often pick up parts changes over time, so taking fresh measurements is worthwhile. That is especially true before moving into a wider or more aggressive tread design.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the new tires match the truck's correct size and rim setup. On the tires themselves, check for proper inflation, secure bead seating, and any visible issues such as cuts, bulges, or irregular mounting.
The truck also deserves a broader once-over because tire behavior can be affected by worn steering and suspension parts. Look at shocks, bushings, tie-rod ends, alignment condition, and brake function before putting miles on the V20. A short local test drive followed by a recheck of pressure and wheel hardware is a sensible final step.
How should 215/85R16 and 235/85R16 tires on a collector 1987 Chevrolet Trucks V20 be maintained?
Collector-truck tire care starts with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and keeping the correct size on the correct V20 configuration. Both 215/85R16 and 235/85R16 tires should be watched for cracking, tread separation signs, punctures, bulges, and slow air loss, especially on trucks that spend long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older pickup. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to move the truck periodically, inspect the sidewalls before each drive, and replace aged tires when condition no longer supports safe road use.