The 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 comes from an era when Dodge one-ton 4x4 pickups were built for serious hauling, work duty, and off-pavement use rather than light-duty image alone. Buyers looking after one today often want a tire that respects that heavy-duty character while still matching the truck’s wheel and load needs. This W350 uses a 235/85R16 radial tire on a 16-inch rim, so the fitment question is straightforward. The real choice is how that size is executed, including sidewall presentation and truck-oriented tread character. For a stock-style truck or a practical driver, wheel width, load capacity, and overall condition should guide the final decision.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Trucks W350
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 uses one primary tire size: 235/85R16. It is a radial tire fitted to a 16-inch rim, and the covered W350 Base model uses that same fitment. With size settled, the decision shifts to choosing the right product within that size, including sidewall style, load capability, and whether the truck still has its original wheel setup.
235/85R16 is a modern metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350, that sizing suits the truck’s heavy-duty one-ton character and keeps the fitment in a familiar light-truck radial format. Available choices in this size include a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This is the size to evaluate if your W350 retains its 16-inch wheel setup and you want a truck-capable radial with the proper overall fitment starting point.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 sub-models because the same primary size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the truck has not been changed to a different wheel or tire package over the years.
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1987 Dodge Trucks W350 Base
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 Base uses the same 235/85R16 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on product characteristics such as sidewall style, load rating, and wheel-width compatibility rather than choosing between multiple primary sizes.
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 W350 Tires for Sale
Available 235/85R16 choices for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 focus on radial truck fitment rather than vintage bias-ply alternatives. The current option is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls, a truck-oriented series, and a 6.0 to 7.5-inch rim-width range.
These FAQs focus on the 1987 Dodge Trucks W350’s 235/85R16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, radial construction, product selection, and the wheel, load, and condition checks that matter before putting a one-ton truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
The 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 uses a 235/85R16 tire size. This is the primary fitment for the covered W350 application, and it is a radial tire sized for a 16-inch wheel. The W350 Base uses that same size, so the fitment remains consistent within the covered sub-model range.
That makes the first step simple: confirm that the truck still has 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel package over time. Once that is verified, the main comparison points become tire type, load capacity, sidewall style, and whether the tire’s rim-width specification matches the wheels currently on the truck.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 uses a 16-inch rim. The 235/85R16 size is built around that wheel diameter, so the rim diameter needs to match the tire exactly. For the available product in this size, the rim-width range is 6.0 to 7.5 inches.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before anything else, especially on older trucks that may have seen wheel swaps. Width matters too, because even the correct 16-inch diameter is not enough by itself if the wheel is outside the tire’s approved width range. Checking both measurements prevents avoidable clearance, bead-seat, and overall fitment issues.
What does 235/85R16 mean on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
On a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350, 235/85R16 is a metric radial size. The 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a modern-style sizing format commonly seen on heavy-duty truck tires.
Knowing how to read the size helps when comparing products in the same fitment. It also helps catch mistakes if a truck has mixed tires, replacement wheels, or older service parts still in use. For the W350, the critical takeaway is that the tire must match a 16-inch rim and should be evaluated for wheel width and load suitability as well.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
Start with the correct size, which is 235/85R16, and make sure the tire is intended for a 16-inch wheel. From there, compare construction, load capacity, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility. For this W350 fitment, the available radial product carries a maximum load of 3,042 lbs at 80 psi and fits rims from 6.0 to 7.5 inches wide.
A one-ton 4x4 places more importance on wheel match and load capability than a purely cosmetic tire choice. Think about how the truck is used today, whether for shows, occasional road use, or real truck duty. A tire can be the right size yet still deserve a closer look if the wheels, suspension, or intended carrying demands have changed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 tires?
The current 235/85R16 option for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 uses an RWL sidewall, meaning raised white letters. That gives the truck a more assertive period-style light-truck look than a plain black sidewall. Sidewall presentation matters because it changes the visual character of the tire even when the fitment size stays the same.
Raised white letters can suit a driver-oriented truck or a W350 built around a more rugged late-1980s appearance. The choice is still secondary to proper size, wheel compatibility, and load needs, but sidewall styling is often one of the last details owners notice once the truck is standing on the right-sized tire.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
The available product for the 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 in 235/85R16 is from BFGoodrich. It is offered in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, which places the fitment in a recognizable truck-oriented radial category rather than a passenger-car or vintage bias-ply style selection.
When only one brand is present in the correct size, the buying decision becomes less about comparing brand names and more about confirming that the product’s dimensions and specifications match the truck’s setup. Wheel width, load capacity, sidewall style, and overall condition of the truck should all be reviewed before finalizing the tire choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
A period-style approach for a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 starts with the correct 235/85R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. That keeps the truck in its proper fitment family and preserves the tall, work-ready stance associated with a one-ton 4x4 pickup of this era. Choosing within the correct size matters more than chasing a generic vintage look.
For many trucks from the late 1980s, appearance and utility overlap, so sidewall treatment and tread character can shape the final presentation. A truck-oriented radial with an era-appropriate visual feel can work well, but owners pursuing strict restoration standards should also compare tire appearance with original photos, brochures, or marque-specific references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
On a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is radial. That means the visual decision is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial and more about selecting a radial tire whose proportions, sidewall treatment, and overall character suit the truck’s late-1980s heavy-duty look.
Even with the correct size, details like raised white letters versus a more subdued sidewall can noticeably change the truck’s stance and personality. A restoration-oriented owner should keep the wheel diameter and tire size consistent first, then choose the sidewall presentation that best matches the truck’s intended finish and use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 even when the tire size remains 235/85R16. Wheel changes, width changes, suspension lifts, ride-height alterations, steering components, and body modifications can all influence how a tire sits and clears. A one-ton 4x4 has more room than many vehicles, but that does not remove the need to verify the setup.
A truck that has been altered over the years should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement before assuming the fitment is unchanged. The wheel’s actual width also matters because the available 235/85R16 product is intended for a 6.0 to 7.5-inch rim, and staying within that range is part of proper fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, then look over the truck’s steering, suspension, and brake components for wear or damage. Check that the tires are inflated appropriately for the application and that there is no interference at the fenders, springs, or steering linkage.
A heavy-duty truck benefits from a careful first road test after installation. Watch for vibration, pull, rubbing, and uneven clearance from lock to lock. It is also smart to recheck lug torque, tire pressure, and visible sidewall condition after the first few miles, especially if the truck has spent long periods parked or has recently returned to service.
How should 235/85R16 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 be maintained?
235/85R16 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Trucks W350 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the truck so the tires are not left carrying weight in one position for long periods. Sidewalls and tread should be watched for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss.
Storage conditions matter on lower-use trucks. Keeping the W350 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Even when tread looks usable, an older truck deserves a close tire inspection before highway use, because time, storage, and inactivity can affect tire condition as much as mileage does.
