The 1987 Dodge Aries came from Chrysler’s K-car era, when straightforward front-wheel-drive packaging and sensible dimensions made compact sedans and wagons part of everyday American driving. Today, an Aries often survives as a well-kept survivor or nostalgia-era driver, which makes proper tire selection more about matching the exact trim and wheel setup than chasing broad upgrades. This model uses radial tires in two different sizes, with 175/80R13 for the Base and 185/70R14 for the LE. Available choices range from blackwall sport-touring styles to narrow and wide whitewall options. The right pick depends on the sub-model, rim diameter, and whether the goal is faithful period-style appearance or practical road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Aries
The 1987 Dodge Aries uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base uses a 13-inch setup with 175/80R13, while the LE uses a 14-inch setup with 185/70R14. Once that is established, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the overall look and driving character you want from a radial tire.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Dodge Aries, this size belongs with the 13-inch wheel setup used on the Base model. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations from Maxxis and BFGoodrich in series such as Classic Whitewall MA-1 and Silvertown Radial. This size makes the most sense when the car still has its original-diameter wheel package and the goal is to keep a traditional 13-inch fitment.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Dodge Aries, this size is used on the LE and should be matched to the 14-inch wheel setup before any product is selected. The available range is broader here, with blackwall and wide whitewall options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across series including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. This is the size to evaluate when appearance, brand preference, and intended road use matter as much as basic fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Dodge Aries because the covered trims do not share the same wheel and tire package. Checking whether the car is a Base or LE is the quickest way to avoid ordering the wrong rim diameter and to narrow the tire choices correctly.
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1987 Dodge Aries Base
The 1987 Dodge Aries Base uses a radial tire on a 13-inch wheel setup, which places it in the 175/80R13 fitment. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing between whitewall presentations and confirming the wheel remains the original diameter if the car has been changed over the years.
The 1987 Dodge Aries LE uses the 14-inch radial setup built around 185/70R14. That opens up a wider mix of blackwall and wide whitewall choices, so the main decision becomes whether the car is being kept in a more formal period-style look or prepared for regular road use.
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 Dodge Aries Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Dodge Aries tire choices span Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with differences in tire series, blackwall versus whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility. The 13-inch fitment stays focused on whitewall radials, while the 14-inch fitment offers a broader mix of touring and specialty-style radial options.
These 1987 Dodge Aries tire FAQs focus on the two correct sizes, the Base-versus-LE fitment split, rim diameter, product selection, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a low-mileage or survivor-era car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Aries?
The 1987 Dodge Aries uses two different radial tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Base uses 175/80R13, while the LE uses 185/70R14. Those sizes are tied to different wheel diameters, so they should not be treated as interchangeable choices across the full model line.
The practical first step is identifying whether the car is a Base or LE and confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. Many older vehicles have had wheels changed over time, so checking the actual rim before selecting a tire helps avoid choosing a 13-inch tire for a 14-inch wheel, or the reverse.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Aries use?
A 1987 Dodge Aries uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The Base pairs with the 175/80R13 tire size on a 13-inch rim, and the LE pairs with the 185/70R14 tire size on a 14-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the most important fitment detail to confirm before comparing tire options. Even if two tires have similar overall diameter, a 13-inch tire cannot mount on a 14-inch wheel. It is also worth checking wheel width against the selected tire’s approved rim-width range, especially if the car has aftermarket or replacement wheels.
Do all 1987 Dodge Aries sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Dodge Aries Base and LE do not use the same tire size. The Base uses 175/80R13, while the LE uses 185/70R14, so tire selection depends on the exact sub-model and the wheel package on the car.
That distinction matters because it changes both the tire size and the rim diameter. It also changes the product mix available, since the 13-inch fitment is centered on whitewall radials, while the 14-inch fitment includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices. Confirming the trim and measuring the wheel are the safest starting points before ordering.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Dodge Aries?
Start with the correct size for the specific car: 175/80R13 for the Base or 185/70R14 for the LE. From there, compare radial construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and any published load information that applies to the product being considered.
The best choice depends on how the Aries will be used and how you want it to look. A survivor-style car may benefit from a whitewall presentation, while a more regularly driven LE might point toward one of the available blackwall touring or specialty radial options. Wheel width and actual vehicle setup still need to be confirmed before final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Aries tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Dodge Aries include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. The 175/80R13 fitment is available in narrow and wide whitewall styles, while the 185/70R14 fitment includes both blackwall and wide whitewall options.
That gives the Aries owner a meaningful appearance decision even after the correct size is established. Whitewalls can suit a more formal or period-style presentation, while blackwalls create a plainer, later-era look. The sidewall style should always be chosen after confirming the correct sub-model and rim diameter, since the same appearance treatment is not offered in every size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Aries?
1987 Dodge Aries tires are available from Maxxis and BFGoodrich in 175/80R13, while 185/70R14 options include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover a mix of whitewall and blackwall radial tires across several different tire series.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It helps more to compare the exact size, the sidewall treatment, the intended look of the car, and whether the wheel width matches the tire’s approved range. On the LE fitment especially, the broader brand selection means the owner can weigh appearance and product character without stepping away from the correct tire size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Aries?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Aries should start with the correct size for the sub-model, then narrow the choice by sidewall presentation. The 175/80R13 fitment offers narrow and wide whitewall radials, while the 185/70R14 fitment adds both blackwall and wide whitewall choices depending on the look you want.
That approach keeps the car grounded in the right wheel-and-tire package before appearance details take over. Since period-style and factory-original are not always the same thing, buyers seeking exact restoration accuracy should compare tire appearance against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references. For many owners, the right visual balance matters just as much as exact historical duplication.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Aries?
On the 1987 Dodge Aries, construction is less of a visual dividing line than on older bias-ply-era cars because the primary fitments are already radial. The appearance difference comes more from sidewall style, tire series, and proportions within the correct size than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That means restoration-minded buyers should focus on getting the right sub-model size first, then choosing whether a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall better matches the car’s intended presentation. A subtle whitewall can change the character of the car noticeably, especially on a clean survivor, without moving away from the correct radial-era fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Aries?
Yes. Any wheel, suspension, or ride-height change can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Aries, even when the tire size itself is correct for the original sub-model. Changes in wheel diameter, wheel width, or offset can alter clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components.
An Aries that has been updated with aftermarket wheels should be checked carefully before a tire is chosen. The most useful checks are actual rim diameter, wheel width, and visual clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension movement. Older front-wheel-drive cars often see wheel swaps over time, so the current setup matters more than assumptions based on trim alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Aries on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Aries on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure inflation is set correctly for the installed tire. It is also smart to check for worn suspension parts, loose steering components, and any rubbing marks from previous tire contact.
A low-use car can look sound while still hiding age-related issues. Sidewall clearance, air retention, valve stem condition, and even wheel cleanliness at the bead area can all affect how well a new tire performs. A short, careful road test followed by a second inspection for rubbing, vibration, or pressure loss is a sensible final step.
How should tires on a collector-era 1987 Dodge Aries be maintained?
Tires on a collector-era 1987 Dodge Aries should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even if the car is driven sparingly, the tires still need attention for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and gradual air loss that can go unnoticed during long periods of parking.
Storage conditions matter on a survivor or hobby car. Keeping the Aries away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time. It also helps to move the car occasionally or drive it long enough to fully warm the tires, since long stationary periods can be harder on collector-car tires than moderate use.
