The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 sits in the era when full-size American vans served as hard-working passenger haulers, camper conversions, and commercial platforms with substantial weight-carrying demands. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire selection is less about vintage bias-ply questions and more about matching the van’s exact configuration to the correct 16-inch radial size. The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 uses either 225/75R16 or 245/75R16 depending on sub-model. Available choices center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter sidewalls. The key step is confirming whether the van is a standard, HD, Maxi, or GVWR 9000 version before comparing load capacity, rim-width range, and overall fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Vans B350
Two tire sizes apply to the 1987 Dodge Vans B350, and both are radial tires built for 16-inch wheels. The first decision is identifying the exact sub-model, because most B350 configurations use 225/75R16 while the Maxi HD (GVWR 9000) uses 245/75R16. Once that is confirmed, the choice becomes comparing the available tire within the correct size and making sure wheel width and load capacity match the van’s intended use.
A 225/75R16 size uses a 225-millimeter section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Dodge Vans B350, this is the primary fitment for the Base, HD, Maxi, and Maxi HD sub-models, making it the common size for most versions of the van. In this size, the available BFGoodrich option uses the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter sidewalls. It is the size to evaluate when the van retains one of the standard B350 wheel and chassis configurations rather than the higher-GVWR setup.
A 245/75R16 tire is wider than a 225/75R16, still uses a 75-series profile, radial construction, and mounts on a 16-inch rim. For the 1987 Dodge Vans B350, this size is tied to the Maxi HD (GVWR 9000), so it should be treated as a specific heavy-duty fitment rather than a universal B350 choice. The available BFGoodrich tire is also an All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This size deserves close attention when wheel width, load capacity, and the van’s actual heavy-duty configuration need to line up correctly.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 because most versions share one size, but the highest-GVWR Maxi HD uses a different one. Checking the exact sub-model helps separate the common 225/75R16 fitment from the heavier-duty 245/75R16 application before comparing tires.
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1987 Dodge Vans B350 Base
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 Base uses the 225/75R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about staying with that standard-size fitment and confirming that the wheel width and load capacity suit the van’s actual use.
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 HD also uses the 225/75R16 radial tire size rather than the larger heavy-GVWR fitment. That keeps tire choice straightforward, but the owner should still confirm the van’s wheel setup and service demands before finalizing a replacement.
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 Maxi uses the same 225/75R16 radial fitment as several other B350 versions. That means the focus shifts from size identification to selecting the right tire characteristics for passenger use, conversion use, or general road service.
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 Maxi HD uses 225/75R16 radial tires unless it is the separate GVWR 9000 version. For tire selection, that makes it important to distinguish the standard Maxi HD from the heavier-rated model before moving to a wider tire.
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 Maxi HD (GVWR 9000) uses the larger 245/75R16 radial fitment. Tire selection for this version should stay centered on the heavier-duty size and on checking that the wheel width and load-carrying setup match this specific configuration.
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 Vans B350 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Dodge Vans B350 tire choices are focused and practical, centered on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires in both 225/75R16 and 245/75R16. The main comparison points are correct size by sub-model, raised white letter sidewall styling, rim-width compatibility, and load capacity.
These FAQs focus on the 1987 Dodge Vans B350’s two 16-inch radial tire sizes, sub-model differences, wheel fitment, product selection, and the inspection steps worth taking before putting a full-size van back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 uses two tire sizes: 225/75R16 and 245/75R16. Most sub-models, including the Base, HD, Maxi, and Maxi HD, use 225/75R16, while the Maxi HD (GVWR 9000) uses 245/75R16. Both are radial tire sizes built for 16-inch wheels.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before choosing a tire. A standard B350 and a higher-GVWR Maxi HD are not using the same fitment, even though they share the same model family. It also helps to confirm the van’s current wheel setup, since older full-size vans are sometimes altered for commercial or camper use.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Vans B350 use?
The tire fitments for the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 are built around a 16-inch rim diameter. Both 225/75R16 and 245/75R16 use 16-inch wheels, so the difference between the two sizes is not wheel diameter but the tire’s width and overall dimensions.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a van like this. Rim width still needs to match the tire being considered, especially when moving between the narrower 225 size and the wider 245 size. A quick wheel check is worthwhile on any B350 that has seen replacement wheels or heavy-use service.
Why does the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Dodge Vans B350 has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes with sub-model and weight rating. The Base, HD, Maxi, and Maxi HD use 225/75R16, while the Maxi HD (GVWR 9000) steps up to 245/75R16 for its heavier-duty configuration.
That difference matters because a heavier-rated van may need the larger fitment to match its wheel and load-carrying setup. Owners should confirm the exact sub-model designation and how the van is actually equipped today. Fleet use, conversion work, and replacement wheels can all make a visual check worthwhile before ordering tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
Start with the correct size for the van’s exact sub-model, since the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 uses either 225/75R16 or 245/75R16. From there, compare radial construction, load capacity, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire’s intended character suits how the van is driven and used.
A B350 used for hauling people, gear, or conversion equipment places different demands on a tire than a lightly used hobby van. It also helps to compare the product’s weight and sidewall presentation if appearance matters. Matching the tire to both the van’s configuration and its real-world use is more important than choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Vans B350 tires?
The available tire choices for the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 use RWL sidewalls, which means raised white letter styling. That gives the van a more assertive period-flavored truck and utility look than a plain blackwall sidewall would.
Sidewall style does not change the basic fitment requirements, but it does shape how the finished van presents visually. Raised white letters can suit a more rugged or late-1980s appearance, especially on vans with utility or recreational character. Owners focused on styling should weigh that visual effect alongside the correct size and wheel compatibility.
What tire series are available for the 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
The available tire series for the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. It is offered in both applicable sizes, 225/75R16 and 245/75R16, depending on the van’s specific sub-model and weight-rated configuration.
Since the series choice is focused rather than broad, the main comparison points shift to selecting the correct size and reviewing its specifications. Rim-width range, load capacity, and the van’s actual mission matter most here. That is especially important on a full-size B350, where passenger, cargo, and conversion use can place very different demands on the tire.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Vans B350 starts with using the correct original fitment type for the exact sub-model, which means either 225/75R16 or 245/75R16 radial tires on 16-inch wheels. Staying with the proper size preserves the van’s intended stance and keeps the visual proportions closer to its late-1980s character.
Appearance-focused selection then becomes a matter of tire presentation rather than changing the fitment. The available raised white letter sidewall gives a strong truck-and-van look that suits the era well, but exact originality claims should be checked against vehicle-specific documentation if a restoration is aiming for highly precise historical detail.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1987 Dodge Vans B350 because the primary fitments are radial sizes rather than older bias-ply designs. That means the restored appearance is shaped more by choosing the correct size and sidewall treatment than by deciding between vintage and modern construction types.
On a van from the late 1980s, the right radial fitment helps maintain the overall visual balance of wheel opening, sidewall height, and stance. Sidewall styling then becomes the visible character choice. Using the wrong width or profile can alter the van’s look noticeably, even when the wheel diameter remains the same.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Vans B350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Vans B350. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, conversion body additions, or changes made for camper and commercial use can all influence how a 225/75R16 or 245/75R16 tire sits and clears.
A van that still carries its original-style wheel setup is simpler to match than one that has been altered over time. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components helps avoid surprises. On a larger full-size van, even small setup changes can matter once the vehicle is loaded.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Vans B350 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Vans B350 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire and the van’s use. It also makes sense to check valve stems, lug hardware, and general brake and suspension condition.
A full-size van puts more demand on its tires than a light passenger car, so a broader road-readiness check is worthwhile. Look for rubbing at full steering lock, signs of uneven ride height, and any looseness in steering or suspension parts. A short test drive followed by a recheck can catch fitment or pressure issues early.
How should tires on a collector-era 1987 Dodge Vans B350 be maintained?
Tires on a collector-era 1987 Dodge Vans B350 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and checked for uneven wear. Even when tread looks good, a lightly used van can still have aging-related tire issues that deserve attention before regular road use.
Storage conditions matter on older vehicles that spend long periods parked. Keeping the van away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition. It also helps to move the van periodically or avoid letting it sit for extended periods under load in one position.
