The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 belongs to the era when compact pickups had become practical everyday trucks, valued for manageable size, light-duty utility, and simple, honest styling. Buyers and collectors still appreciate these trucks for their straightforward character and usable proportions. The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 uses a 195/75R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim, so the fitment question is refreshingly straightforward. From there, the real choice comes down to sidewall appearance, available brands, and whether a traditional blackwall-free presentation such as narrow or wide whitewall suits the truck. For a clean road-ready truck, correct size, wheel compatibility, and overall appearance should guide the final selection.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 uses one primary tire size: 195/75R14, a radial tire for a 14-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered Base, Custom, and Sport sub-models, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of that size best matches the truck's appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 195/75R14 tire uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch wheel diameter. On the 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50, that means a modern-style radial fitment that suits regular road use while keeping the truck in its proper size range. Available choices include Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with sidewall treatments ranging from narrow whitewall to wide whitewall across several tire series. The practical comparison is less about size and more about the look you want and whether the tire matches the wheel width actually on the truck.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 sub-models. Base, Custom, and Sport all use the same primary tire size, so checking the sub-model is mainly about confirming the truck has not been changed from its original wheel setup.
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1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 Base
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 Base uses the same 195/75R14 radial fitment as the other covered sub-models. That keeps tire selection focused on brand, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple original size options.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 Custom shares the 195/75R14 radial tire size used across this model line. For this sub-model, the main decision is choosing the right presentation and specifications within that size, especially if the truck is being refreshed for regular street use.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 Sport also uses the 195/75R14 radial tire size. That makes the buying decision more about selecting the sidewall treatment and product characteristics that suit the truck's actual wheels and the look you want to maintain.
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 Trucks Ram 50 Tires for Sale
Available 195/75R14 choices span Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, all in radial construction. The main differences are tire series, wide versus narrow whitewall appearance, and wheel-width specifications that are worth comparing against the wheels currently on the truck.
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Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
These FAQs focus on the 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50's 195/75R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel requirements, radial tire selection, sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before putting a compact vintage truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 uses a 195/75R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment across the covered Base, Custom, and Sport sub-models, making this one of the simpler year-make-model truck applications from a tire-sizing standpoint.
The key next step is confirming that the truck still has 14-inch wheels in an appropriate width for the tire being considered. Many older compact pickups have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the actual wheel size on the truck matters just as much as knowing the original tire size.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 use?
The 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 uses a 14-inch rim with its 195/75R14 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and the available products for this application are built for 14-inch wheels.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so the wheel's width should also be checked before choosing among the available tires. If the truck has aftermarket wheels, verify both diameter and width at the wheel itself instead of assuming the current setup still matches the original fitment.
Do all 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 Base, Custom, and Sport sub-models all use the same 195/75R14 radial tire size. There is no split in primary tire size among those sub-models here.
That consistency makes tire shopping easier, but it is still smart to inspect the truck before ordering. A previous owner may have changed wheels or suspension height, and those changes can affect what works comfortably even when the original sub-model fitment is shared across the lineup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/75R14 tire for a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
Start with the correct size, 195/75R14, and confirm that the tire is suited to the truck's 14-inch wheel. All of the available options here are radial tires, so the main selection factors become sidewall style, tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility.
A truck kept close to stock may call for a cleaner, more traditional presentation, while a driver-oriented Ram 50 may simply need a tire that matches the existing wheel dimensions and intended use. Comparing load figures, rim-width specifications, and the overall appearance of the sidewall helps narrow the choice sensibly.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 tires?
The available 195/75R14 tires for a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the truck owner a meaningful appearance choice even though the primary size itself stays the same.
A narrow whitewall usually creates a subtler period-style look, while a wide whitewall has a more pronounced vintage presentation. The right choice depends on how the truck is being finished, the wheel and trim combination already on it, and whether the goal is understated road use or a more restoration-oriented visual statement.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
195/75R14 tires for the 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Those choices span several tire series, including Star Series, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Coker Classic Radial, and UN106.
Brand selection should be matched to the kind of tire presentation and specifications you want rather than treated as a ranking exercise. Looking at sidewall style, rim-width details, weight, and load capacity within the correct 195/75R14 size will do more to guide the right choice than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 starts with the correct 195/75R14 size, since getting the proportions right matters before comparing visual details. From there, the available radial options let you choose between a more understated narrow whitewall look and a more pronounced wide whitewall presentation.
The right tire depends on how the truck is being restored or preserved. For a truck with strong originality goals, the safest path is to compare photos, sales literature, and marque-specific references before deciding on a sidewall treatment, since a correct size alone does not automatically settle the most authentic appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
On a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50, the primary fitment is already radial, so construction change is less of an appearance issue than it would be on an earlier bias-ply-era vehicle. The bigger visual difference comes from the sidewall treatment and the overall character of the tire series you choose.
That means a restored truck can stay within the proper size and construction while still taking on a noticeably different look. A narrow whitewall tends to keep the presentation restrained, while a wide whitewall stands out more clearly, especially on a truck finished with traditional trim and stock-style wheel proportions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50?
Yes. Even though the original tire size is 195/75R14, wheel and suspension changes can alter what works on a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offsets, or a lowered or raised stance can all change clearance and overall fitment behavior.
A modified truck should be checked at the wheel openings and through the steering range before settling on a tire choice. Looking at the actual wheel dimensions on the truck is especially important here, because an older compact pickup may no longer be using the same wheel setup it left the factory with.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 back on the road, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even bead seating, and any signs of shipping or installation damage.
A short local drive is a smart first test, followed by another look for air loss, rubbing, or uneven contact. Older trucks often reveal alignment or suspension issues only after fresh tires are installed, so early inspection helps catch problems before they turn into irregular wear or avoidable road-use trouble.
How should 195/75R14 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 be maintained?
195/75R14 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks Ram 50 should be kept properly inflated and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, or unusual tread wear. A truck that is driven infrequently still needs periodic checks, because age and storage conditions can affect a tire even when mileage stays low.
Storage habits matter almost as much as driving habits on a vintage compact pickup. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle occasionally can help avoid flat-spotting during longer periods of storage.
