The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 sits squarely in the era when heavy-duty 4x4 pickups were expected to work hard, haul confidently, and still look at home with classic Dodge truck styling. Buyers today often approach one with a mix of practical use and preservation in mind, especially on GVWR-specific configurations. Tire fitment on the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 spans 16-inch sizes in both modern radial and vintage-style bias-ply form, including 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 750-16. That opens the door to choices ranging from an all-terrain raised white letter radial to blackwall, wide whitewall, and truck-oriented bias-ply designs. The right selection starts with the exact sub-model, then moves to construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250
Three primary tire sizes are used on the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250, and the correct one depends on the truck's exact sub-model and GVWR classification. All three fit 16-inch wheels, but the lineup includes both radial and bias-ply construction, so the first step is confirming the truck's specific configuration before comparing tread style, appearance, or a more restoration-oriented bias-ply choice.
215/85R16 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250, this is one of the modern radial fitments and is used on selected GVWR configurations, including the Snow Package application. It represents a straightforward modern truck sizing format compared with older numeric sizes. Choosing this size starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup so the tire matches the truck's intended load use and clearance requirements.
Fit(s): (GVWR 6900), (GVWR 7500), Heavy Duty (GVWR 8510), and Heavy Duty (GVWR 8510) w/Snow Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
235/85R16 is a metric radial size with a nominal 235-millimeter section width, an 85-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250, it is the broader of the two primary radial fitments and appears across several GVWR-based versions, including Heavy Duty models. Product choice in this size currently centers on a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling and a 6.0- to 7.5-inch rim-width range. This size is especially worth evaluating carefully when the truck may have had wheel, suspension, or use-pattern changes over time.
750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 7.50 designation refers to nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies rim diameter. On the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250, this vintage-style size appears on the 7500 GVWR version and brings a very different selection story from the radial options. Available tires include blackwall, wide whitewall, and truck-oriented military or highway bias-ply series from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and STA. This size makes the most sense for buyers pursuing a traditional bias-ply presentation or a specialty truck-style look on the correct wheel.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 is not one-size-fits-all, because tire choice changes by GVWR classification and Snow Package or Heavy Duty designation. Checking the exact sub-model matters before selecting a tire, even though all of the primary sizes use a 16-inch rim.
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1987 Dodge Trucks W250 (GVWR 6900)
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 (GVWR 6900) uses radial tire fitments rather than the vintage-style 750-16 bias-ply option. That makes the decision here less about construction change and more about confirming which radial size belongs on the truck before comparing overall width, tread character, and wheel compatibility.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 (GVWR 7500) is the broadest-fitment version in this group, with both radial and 750-16 bias-ply choices appearing in its tire range. That means owners should verify the actual wheel and current setup carefully, especially when deciding between a modern radial approach and a more traditional bias-ply presentation.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 Heavy Duty (GVWR 8510) is tied to a single radial fitment within this page's covered sizes. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the right product characteristics in that size, while confirming wheel width and any later modifications that could affect clearance or stance.
1987 Dodge Trucks W250 Heavy Duty (GVWR 8510) w/Snow Pkg.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 Heavy Duty (GVWR 8510) w/Snow Pkg. stays with the same radial fitment pattern used on the Heavy Duty configuration. That keeps tire shopping relatively focused, with attention shifting toward the intended driving surface, wheel specification, and whether the truck still carries its original-type wheel setup.
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 w/Snow Pkg. uses a radial fitment that is more specific than the broader multi-size range seen on some other W250 versions. Tire choice therefore starts with staying in the correct size family, then checking the truck's wheels and current suspension condition before moving to product preference.
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 W250 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 tire choices span BFGoodrich radial and multiple bias-ply options from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and STA. Depending on size, buyers can compare all-terrain radial construction, blackwall or wide whitewall appearance, and several truck-oriented bias-ply series with different rim-width and load specifications.
Common 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 tire questions usually come down to sub-model fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose the right tire style for work, restoration-minded appearance, or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 uses three primary tire sizes across its covered configurations: 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 750-16. The two metric sizes are radial tires, while 750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size used on selected applications such as the GVWR 7500 version.
The key is matching the tire to the truck's exact GVWR-based sub-model and current wheel setup, not assuming every W250 used the same size. Since all three sizes are built for 16-inch rims but differ in construction and dimensions, checking the sub-model, wheel width, and any changes made over the years helps narrow the right choice.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 use?
The tire sizes covered for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 all use a 16-inch rim diameter. That includes the radial sizes 215/85R16 and 235/85R16 as well as the vintage-style 750-16 bias-ply size.
Rim diameter is only the first fitment checkpoint. Wheel width also matters, especially because available products do not all share the same rim-width range, and many older trucks have seen wheel swaps over time. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions on the truck is important before moving from one listed size or construction style to another.
Do all 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Fitment changes by GVWR classification and package, with some versions using one radial size, some allowing two radial sizes, and the GVWR 7500 model also including the 750-16 bias-ply option.
That variation means tire shopping should begin with the exact sub-model name rather than the W250 badge alone. Heavy Duty and Snow Package versions narrow the field differently, so identifying the truck correctly prevents mixing fitment paths that share a 16-inch rim diameter but serve different configurations and selection goals.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 750-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
On the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250, 750-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It appears on the GVWR 7500 application and is offered in traditional passenger-style bias-ply form as well as truck-oriented military and transport-style bias-ply designs.
That matters because 750-16 presents a different construction character and appearance from the W250's metric radial sizes. Buyers considering this size should verify that the truck is the correct sub-model for it and confirm wheel width, intended use, and the desired look, especially when comparing blackwall truck tires with wide whitewall restoration-oriented choices.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
That depends on the exact W250 configuration and what you want from the truck. The 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 uses both radial and bias-ply primary fitments across its covered sub-models, with 215/85R16 and 235/85R16 as radial sizes and 750-16 as a bias-ply size on the GVWR 7500 application.
A radial choice usually keeps the truck in a more modern sizing format, while bias-ply may better suit a traditional truck presentation or a restoration-minded build. The important step is staying with a size that belongs to the specific sub-model, then checking wheel dimensions and clearance before changing construction style on an individual truck.
What should I check before converting my 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the radial size under consideration is one of the primary fitments used on the relevant 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 sub-model. A truck carrying 750-16 bias-ply tires should not automatically be assumed to accept a radial alternative without verifying the actual wheel dimensions and the truck's present configuration.
Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, steering clearance, suspension condition, and load needs all deserve a close look before making a construction change. Older pickups are often modified with different wheels, ride height, or axle setups, so the safest approach is to treat the conversion as a fitment check rather than a simple construction upgrade.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 tire?
The first decision is the correct size for the truck's exact sub-model: 215/85R16, 235/85R16, or 750-16. After that, the main factors are construction type, wheel compatibility, intended use, and whether the goal is a modern truck radial, a traditional bias-ply appearance, or a more specialized truck-style tread design.
A W250 used for regular road driving may call for a very different tire character than one being preserved for shows or period-style presentation. It also helps to compare sidewall style, tire series, load capacity where stated, and rim-width range so the final choice matches the truck's wheels and the way it will actually be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 tires?
Sidewall styles available for 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 tires include raised white letter, blackwall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size. The 235/85R16 radial option is offered with raised white letters, while 750-16 bias-ply choices span blackwall truck tires and wide whitewall designs.
That sidewall range gives the W250 very different visual directions. Raised white letters lean toward a later truck and all-terrain look, blackwalls keep things straightforward and utilitarian, and wide whitewalls create a more stylized or restoration-oriented appearance. Matching the sidewall treatment to the truck's era, trim approach, and intended use usually produces the most satisfying result.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
Tires for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, and STA across the covered sizes. Brand availability depends on the tire size, with the radial 235/85R16 option represented by BFGoodrich and the 750-16 bias-ply category including several choices from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and STA.
The brand name is only part of the decision. It also helps to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification where stated, and the overall character of the tire, especially in 750-16 where the assortment ranges from classic-style passenger presentations to more truck-focused military and highway bias-ply designs.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 usually starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model, then moves to the tire presentation that best suits the truck. On applications where 750-16 is appropriate, the available bias-ply range offers the most traditional look, including classic blackwall, wide whitewall, and truck-oriented military or transport-style designs.
For a truck that is being preserved rather than modernized, construction and sidewall style often matter as much as the raw size. Exact originality can vary by truck history and trim, so buyers chasing a highly specific restoration outcome should compare the tire choice with vehicle documentation, period photos, or marque-specific guidance before settling on a final look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 more than many buyers expect. A metric radial such as 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 gives the truck a more modern heavy-duty stance, while a 750-16 bias-ply setup presents a more traditional truck look tied to older sizing conventions.
Appearance also shifts with sidewall treatment. Raised white letter styling creates a later truck feel, blackwalls keep the look simple and work-oriented, and wide whitewalls push the truck in a more stylized direction. Choosing among them is less about right or wrong and more about whether the finished truck is meant to feel restored, customized, or regularly driven.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 even when the tire size itself is one of the correct listed options. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension lifts, lowering changes, steering components, or body alterations can all change how a 16-inch tire sits and clears the truck.
A W250 that no longer has its original-style wheels should be measured rather than judged by size code alone. Checking wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and spacing around springs or fenders helps avoid problems when moving between radial and bias-ply choices or when selecting a wider-looking truck tire for a modified setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure each tire has adequate clearance through steering travel and suspension movement. It is also smart to check the valve stems, lug hardware, and the overall condition of the truck's steering and suspension components.
Collector and work trucks alike benefit from a short recheck after the first miles. Looking again for rub marks, air loss, or uneven seating can catch fitment issues early. Older W250s may have lived through wheel changes or long storage periods, so a careful first inspection helps the new tires perform as intended.
How should 750-16 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 be maintained?
750-16 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks W250 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and storage habits that limit heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Bias-ply tires also deserve periodic checks for sidewall cracking, tread condition, bulges, cuts, and signs of uneven wear after the truck has been sitting.
A truck that sees occasional use can still age its tires even when tread depth looks fine. Rolling the vehicle periodically, keeping the tires properly inflated, and inspecting them before road use helps preserve condition and catch issues early. Any long-stored W250 should have its tires reviewed closely before returning to regular driving duty.