1987 Ford Trucks F-150 Tires

A 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 can use 195/75R15, 215/75R15, or 235/75R15 tires, depending on the truck's exact sub-model and GVWR. All three are radial tire sizes built for 15-inch rims, but they are not shared evenly across every version of the F-150.

The important next step is identifying the truck's exact configuration before choosing a tire. Some 4x2 models have more than one associated size, while the 4x4 and heavier 6,100-GVWR versions center on 235/75R15. Checking the existing wheel setup and the truck's sub-model helps avoid ordering a tire that matches the year and model name but not the actual truck.

The 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 tire sizes covered here all use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to 195/75R15, 215/75R15, and 235/75R15, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire width and overall dimensions vary by fitment.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a truck with multiple primary sizes. Wheel width also matters, and the available tires in these sizes do not all share the same approved width range. A 15-inch wheel is the starting point, but the exact wheel width and the truck's sub-model should still be checked before narrowing the product choices.

The 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 spans several sub-models, including different trims, drivetrain layouts, and GVWR ratings, so more than one tire size is used across the range. The covered fitments include 195/75R15, 215/75R15, and 235/75R15, with the broader and heavier-duty versions tending toward the larger size.

That means the model name alone is not enough to choose a tire confidently. A Custom 4x2 with 4,800 GVWR has a wider fitment spread than a 4x4 or a 6,100-GVWR truck, which centers on 235/75R15. Matching the tire to the exact sub-model keeps the selection focused on the right dimensions before appearance and brand preferences come into play.

Start with the truck's exact configuration and wheel setup, because 235/75R15 is widely used on the 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 but not across every version. Once the size is confirmed, the main selection points become radial tire series, sidewall style, load capacity, and approved rim-width range.

This size is available in truck-oriented choices such as BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, as well as narrow and wide whitewall radials from American Classic, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich Silvertown, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. Owners building a more utility-focused truck may lean one direction visually, while a more restoration-minded pickup may call for a very different sidewall presentation.

Sidewall choices for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, RWL, and RBL styling, depending on the tire size and series. The whitewall offerings appear across 195/75R15, 215/75R15, and 235/75R15, while the BFGoodrich All-Terrain options bring a more truck-focused lettered sidewall look.

That variety matters because sidewall style changes the truck's character as much as the tread or brand. A whitewall radial can suit a more restored or personalized street-truck presentation, while raised white letter or black-letter styles feel more at home on a utility-minded F-150. The right choice depends on the truck's overall theme after the correct size has been confirmed.

Tires for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 are available from Coker Classic, American Classic, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar. Brand availability varies by size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 215/75R15 and 235/75R15, while 195/75R15 centers on Coker Classic and American Classic offerings.

Brand choice is most useful when it helps sort the kind of tire you want rather than trying to rank one name over another. Some options emphasize classic whitewall styling, while others bring a more truck-oriented look through different series and sidewall treatments. Once the correct fitment is established, comparing brand alongside series, sidewall, and wheel-width compatibility becomes much easier.

A period-style 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 usually starts with choosing the correct primary size for the truck's exact sub-model, then selecting a radial tire that matches the look you want. In these fitments, that can mean whitewall radials in 195/75R15, 215/75R15, or 235/75R15, or a more truck-oriented sidewall treatment in the larger sizes.

Late-1980s pickups can wear very different personalities, from work-truck plainness to more dressed-up trim presentations, so the tire should complement the truck rather than fight it. Owners aiming for strict originality should compare any whitewall width, letter style, or series choice against period photos, sales literature, and marque-specific references before settling on a final appearance.

On this 1987 Ford Trucks F-150, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction question is less about switching from bias-ply and more about how different radial styles present on the truck. Sidewall treatment has the biggest visual effect, with choices including narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, raised white letter, and black-letter styles.

A restored truck with bright trim and a more personalized street presence may look best with one of the whitewall radial options, while a more utility-oriented build may suit the BFGoodrich truck-style lettering better. Even within radial construction, tire series and sidewall design can shift the F-150's look from workmanlike to distinctly restoration-oriented without changing the basic fitment.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 even when the tire size matches one of the original 15-inch fitments. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body modifications can all change the space available for 195/75R15, 215/75R15, or 235/75R15 tires.

A truck that has been lowered, lifted, or fitted with different wheels should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before new tires are chosen. That matters most on sub-models that can use more than one primary size, because a modified truck may no longer reflect its original configuration even if the badge and GVWR still suggest it should.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the truck's actual configuration, and make sure each tire is mounted on an appropriate 15-inch wheel with suitable width. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic suspension and steering condition before putting miles on the truck.

A useful final check is turning the steering from lock to lock and looking for any contact issues, especially on trucks with 235/75R15 tires or any aftermarket changes. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the tire and application, and the first few drives should include a quick recheck for air loss, vibration, or uneven clearance that may not be obvious at rest.

Tires on a 1987 Ford Trucks F-150 should be inspected regularly for tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, even if the truck is not driven often. This matters for collector-kept or seasonal pickups just as much as working trucks, because long storage can age a tire without adding many miles.

Pressure checks and visual inspections should become routine, especially before a longer drive or after the truck has been parked for an extended period. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve tire condition over time. Any F-150 with older wheels, uncertain maintenance history, or long dormancy deserves a careful once-over before regular road use resumes.