The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco sits squarely in the era when full-size SUVs were expected to handle daily road use, towing, weather, and trail duty without losing their broad-shouldered truck character. Buyers looking at this exact Bronco usually need to sort out one key fitment question first: whether the truck uses 235/75R15 or the taller 31X10.50R15, both in radial construction on 15-inch wheels. That choice affects not just stance, but also the available tire styles, from raised white letter all-terrain options to narrow and wide whitewall radials. Getting the right tire starts with confirming the sub-model and the actual wheel setup on the vehicle today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the specific sub-model. Both 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15 are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the Bronco is a Custom, Eddie Bauer, or XLT and then checking the wheel and tire setup actually on the truck. Once size is confirmed, the real comparison becomes tread style, sidewall appearance, and intended road or light-truck use.
235/75R15 is a metric radial size in which 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco, this size suits buyers who want a road-friendly radial fitment on a 15-inch wheel. Available choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar, with sidewall treatments ranging from raised white letter to narrow and wide whitewalls. It is the key size to confirm on Custom models and remains a valid fitment on certain Eddie Bauer and XLT Broncos as well.
31X10.50R15 is a flotation-style radial size that expresses the tire's approximate overall diameter first, then section width in inches, followed by radial construction and 15-inch wheel diameter. On the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco, this size gives Eddie Bauer and XLT owners a taller, wider light-truck tire format than 235/75R15. The available product in this size is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, giving it a traditional truck-and-utility presentation. This size is worth evaluating carefully if the Bronco's stance, wheel width, and intended use lean more toward a tougher light-truck setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco because not every version uses the same tire size. The Custom stays with one radial size, while Eddie Bauer and XLT models can use either of the two 15-inch fitments, so identifying the exact trim helps narrow the tire search quickly.
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1987 Ford Trucks Bronco Custom
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco Custom uses a straightforward 235/75R15 radial fitment on a 15-inch wheel. That makes the decision less about size and more about choosing the right style of tire, whether the goal is raised white letter truck character or a whitewall look better suited to a restoration-minded presentation.
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco Eddie Bauer can use either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15, both in radial construction on 15-inch rims. Tire selection here starts with confirming which wheel and tire combination is actually on the vehicle, then choosing between a more conventional metric radial fitment and a taller flotation-style light-truck presentation.
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco XLT also spans both primary tire sizes, with 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15 appearing within this trim. That means buyers should verify the Bronco's current wheel and tire setup before choosing a replacement, especially if the truck has been updated over the years or wears a more aggressive light-truck tire today.
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 Ford Trucks Bronco Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco tires cover two distinct directions: 235/75R15 options from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar in whitewall and raised white letter styles, plus a 31X10.50R15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 for a more truck-focused look.
Owners shopping tires for a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco usually want clarity on the correct size, 15-inch wheel fitment, sub-model differences, sidewall options, and what to inspect before putting a full-size Bronco back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco uses two primary radial tire sizes: 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15. The Custom uses 235/75R15, while Eddie Bauer and XLT models can use either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15, all on 15-inch rims.
That makes trim identification important before buying replacement tires. A Bronco that has changed wheels or tire sizes over the years should also be checked in person, since many full-size SUVs have been modified, lifted, or simply refitted with a different size than they wore earlier in life.
What size rim does a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 235/75R15 metric radial and the 31X10.50R15 flotation-style radial fitments used across the covered sub-models.
Rim diameter is only part of the wheel question, so it still helps to confirm wheel width before choosing a tire. Product specifications in these sizes span different rim-width ranges, and that can influence which tire is appropriate for the wheel currently installed on the Bronco.
Do all 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco Custom uses 235/75R15, while Eddie Bauer and XLT models can use either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15. All of those primary fitments are radial tires for 15-inch wheels.
This matters because the two sizes create different visual and dimensional starting points even though they share the same wheel diameter. Checking the trim level first and then confirming the actual tire size on the truck helps avoid ordering a replacement that matches the model name but not the Bronco's present setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/75R15 tire for a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
Start by confirming that 235/75R15 is the size actually used on the Bronco, especially if it is an Eddie Bauer or XLT. Then compare the available radial options by intended look and use, since this size is offered in raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several brands and series.
A truck with a restoration-minded appearance may lean toward one of the whitewall choices, while a more utility-focused Bronco may suit the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. Wheel-width compatibility also deserves attention, because the available 235/75R15 products do not all share the exact same rim-width specification.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on tire size and product line. The 235/75R15 selection offers the broadest appearance range, while the available 31X10.50R15 option uses a raised white letter sidewall.
That gives Bronco owners room to shape the truck's presentation without changing the underlying fitment. A whitewall can push the look toward a more classic street-driven SUV, while raised white letters keep a stronger truck-and-trail character that suits the Bronco's full-size utility image.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
The 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco is represented by BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar across the available products. BFGoodrich appears in both primary sizes, while the broader mix of brands is concentrated in 235/75R15.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than by name alone. Some options emphasize a classic whitewall presentation, while others lean toward an all-terrain light-truck look, so the right selection depends on how the Bronco is used and how it is meant to look.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
A period-style 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco usually starts with choosing the correct primary size for the trim and wheel setup, then selecting a sidewall treatment that suits the truck's intended presentation. In 235/75R15, that can mean narrow or wide whitewall radials for a more classic look, or raised white letters for a more truck-oriented appearance.
The best visual direction depends on how the Bronco is being restored or preserved, not just on size alone. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against vehicle-specific historical references, photos, or marque knowledge so the sidewall look matches the character of the individual truck.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
On the 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about how the radial tire is presented. The visible difference comes from size format and sidewall style, with metric whitewall radials giving a different impression than a flotation-style raised white letter truck tire.
That means appearance can shift noticeably even when the wheel diameter stays at 15 inches. A 235/75R15 whitewall tends to read more street-oriented and classic, while a 31X10.50R15 raised white letter tire gives the Bronco a broader, more rugged stance that better emphasizes its SUV and light-truck roots.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco?
Yes. A 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco may no longer wear its original wheel and tire setup, and changes such as aftermarket wheels, suspension lifts, ride-height changes, or body alterations can affect whether 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15 remains the practical choice.
Even though both primary sizes use 15-inch rims, diameter, width, and wheel-width requirements still matter. A Bronco that has been modified should be checked for steering travel, inner-fender clearance, and the actual wheel dimensions before a replacement tire is chosen by catalog size alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco back into regular use on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear suspension and body components through full steering travel. Lug hardware, alignment condition, and valve stems also deserve attention.
A full-size Bronco often spends long periods parked, so it is smart to look beyond the tires themselves. Brake condition, wheel bearing health, suspension wear, and any signs of uneven old-tire wear can reveal issues that may affect how the replacement tires perform once the truck returns to road use.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Ford Trucks Bronco should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, especially on a truck that sees occasional use rather than daily mileage.
Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. Keeping the Bronco away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, while periodic movement of the vehicle helps prevent one small contact patch from carrying the same load for too long.
