The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 sits in the heart of Ford's brick-nose truck era, a period when three-quarter-ton pickups were expected to balance real work capability with everyday road use. Buyers looking at this truck today are often juggling utility, preservation, and the realities of an older wheel and suspension setup. Tire fitment centers on 16-inch radial sizes, with 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16 appearing across different F-250 configurations. That means the key decision is less about vintage bias-ply styling and more about matching the exact sub-model and GVWR, then choosing the right tread and sidewall presentation for how the truck is actually used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, and the right one depends on the truck's exact sub-model and GVWR. All of them are radial tires for 16-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the truck is a 6300 GVWR model, a 7700 GVWR model, or an H.D. version before comparing tire choices.
215/85R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, this size appears on certain 6300 GVWR configurations rather than across the entire model range. It represents a modern radial format familiar to truck owners comparing size markings on later replacements. Use this size only after confirming the truck's exact configuration and existing wheel setup, especially if the vehicle has seen wheel, suspension, or load-use changes over time.
235/85R16 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter nominal section width, an 85-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. It is the most broadly used size across the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 range, including 7700 GVWR and H.D. versions, and it is also one of the sizes seen on some 6300 GVWR trucks. Available product choice in this size includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This is the size to evaluate carefully if the truck is expected to carry heavier loads or if a more widely recognized modern truck size is already mounted.
7.50R16 uses an older radial size convention, with 7.50 referring to the nominal section width, R indicating radial construction, and 16 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, this size is tied to certain 6300 GVWR sub-models rather than the heavier-rated versions. Its format looks more traditional than a modern metric truck size, which can matter to owners trying to preserve an earlier truck tire appearance while staying with radial construction. It should be matched against the truck's actual wheel and intended use rather than assumed to substitute for every 16-inch F-250 setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 because tire sizing changes with GVWR and H.D. designation. Some 6300 GVWR trucks can use more than one 16-inch radial size, while the 7700 GVWR and H.D. versions center on 235/85R16.
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1987 Ford Trucks F-250 Custom (GVWR 6300)
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 Custom (GVWR 6300) is the most flexible fitment in the range, with 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16 all associated with this sub-model. Tire selection here starts with confirming the truck's current wheel and tire setup, then deciding whether a modern metric look or a more traditional 7.50R16-style presentation better suits the truck.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 Custom (GVWR 7700) uses 235/85R16. That makes the decision more straightforward, with attention shifting to choosing the right radial tire style and verifying that the truck still carries the correct 16-inch wheel package for its heavier-rated configuration.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 Custom H.D. uses 235/85R16. For this sub-model, the key task is choosing within that size while keeping wheel width, intended load use, and any later wheel or suspension changes in mind.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XL (GVWR 6300) shares the same multi-size fitment pattern as other 6300 GVWR trucks, with 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16 all appearing here. The best approach is to confirm the exact tire already on the truck and decide whether the goal is a familiar metric truck size or a more traditional-looking radial format.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XL (GVWR 7700) uses 235/85R16. Since there is one primary size for this configuration, the buying decision is mostly about selecting the right radial tire within that size and checking that the wheels remain appropriate for the truck's setup.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XL H.D. uses 235/85R16. That keeps fitment focused, but it is still worth confirming wheel width and overall truck configuration before settling on a specific tire for work use, storage, or occasional road miles.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XLT Lariat (GVWR 6300) can be equipped with 215/85R16, 235/85R16, or 7.50R16. Owners of this sub-model should verify the current wheel-and-tire combination first, because appearance, stance, and replacement options can differ noticeably even though all three sizes share a 16-inch rim diameter.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XLT Lariat (GVWR 7700) uses 235/85R16. Tire shopping for this truck is mainly about picking the right radial design and confirming that the vehicle still retains the proper wheel package for its GVWR class.
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 XLT Lariat H.D. uses 235/85R16. That keeps size selection simple, leaving the owner to compare available radial options and check the truck's wheels, suspension condition, and intended use before putting it back into regular road service.
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 F-250 Tires for Sale
Available product choice for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 centers on 235/85R16, including a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radial with raised white letter sidewalls. Compare construction details, rim-width compatibility, load specification, and tread character against the truck's exact sub-model and intended use.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, how sub-model and GVWR affect fitment, and what to review when choosing, maintaining, or road-checking 16-inch radial truck tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
The 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 uses three primary radial tire sizes: 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16. Which one applies depends on the truck's exact sub-model and weight rating, with 6300 GVWR versions showing the widest range of fitments and 7700 GVWR or H.D. models centered on 235/85R16.
Start by identifying the truck's trim and GVWR rather than assuming every F-250 from 1987 used the same tire. Since all three sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, the important follow-up checks are the wheel setup already on the truck, any changes made over the years, and whether the replacement tire matches the truck's intended use.
What size rim does a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 use?
The tire sizes associated with the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 all use a 16-inch rim diameter. That includes 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16, so the common denominator across the fitments is a 16-inch wheel rather than multiple rim diameters.
Rim diameter is only the first part of the wheel question on an older truck. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing available 235/85R16 products, and any aftermarket wheels should be checked carefully before replacing tires. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the truck is more useful than relying on year alone.
Why does the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears because the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 was offered in different sub-models and GVWR classes. Certain 6300 GVWR Custom, XL, and XLT Lariat trucks can use 215/85R16, 235/85R16, or 7.50R16, while the 7700 GVWR and H.D. versions use 235/85R16.
That means the truck's exact configuration matters more than the model name by itself. A buyer should confirm the door-tag information, the current wheel-and-tire setup, and whether the truck has remained stock. This is especially important on working pickups, where wheel swaps and later tire updates are common after decades of service.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
The first priorities are confirming that 235/85R16 is the correct size for the truck's sub-model and making sure the tire matches a 16-inch wheel with appropriate width. On this F-250, 235/85R16 is especially relevant for 7700 GVWR and H.D. versions, and it also appears on some 6300 GVWR trucks.
Once size is confirmed, compare the tire's intended character and specification details rather than shopping by size marking alone. Tread style, sidewall presentation, load rating, and wheel compatibility all matter on a three-quarter-ton truck. The right choice depends on whether the F-250 is used for work, occasional road use, or a more preservation-minded build.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 tires?
The available product selection shown for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 includes an RWL sidewall, meaning raised white letters, in 235/85R16. That gives the truck a more assertive late-1980s light-truck look than a plain blackwall would, while staying within a correct size family for the F-250.
Sidewall style affects appearance first, but it should still be chosen after the size and wheel setup are confirmed. Raised white letters can suit a truck with a period-inspired street or trail presentation, while some owners may prefer a quieter visual treatment. Appearance should follow proper fitment, not replace it.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
Current product coverage for the 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 includes BFGoodrich in 235/85R16. The available tire in that size is part of the All-Terrain T/A KO2 line, giving buyers a recognizable radial truck option within one of the key fitments used on this F-250 range.
Brand is only one part of the decision on an older three-quarter-ton pickup. It still helps to compare the tire's sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, load specification, and the truck's intended use. A truck that sees hauling, storage, or occasional highway miles may call for a different emphasis even within the same size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
A period-style choice starts with the exact size that belongs on the truck's sub-model, then works outward from there. On a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, that could mean 215/85R16, 235/85R16, or 7.50R16, with 7.50R16 offering a more traditional-looking size format than a modern metric marking.
Appearance should be balanced against how the truck will actually be driven and whether it still has its original-style wheel setup. Owners pursuing a more historically faithful presentation should verify period details through model-specific references, while drivers who want a late-1980s truck look may focus on correct size and an appropriate sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
On this 1987 Ford Trucks F-250, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice is less about bias-ply versus radial contrast and more about how the size format and sidewall treatment look on the truck. A 7.50R16 marking presents differently from a metric size like 235/85R16, even though both are radial.
That visual difference can influence the final character of a restored or preserved truck. Some owners prefer the more traditional numeric-style presentation, while others want the familiar late-1980s metric truck look or raised white letters. The best result comes from matching the tire's appearance to the truck's trim level, stance, and intended era feel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 even when the replacement tire is one of the correct original size families. Aftermarket wheels, suspension lifts, lowered stance changes, steering-component wear, or body alterations can all change the amount of room available around a 16-inch truck tire.
A truck that has been updated over the years should be checked as it sits today, not only by model-year fitment. Wheel width, wheel offset, clearance at full steering lock, and the relationship between the tire and suspension parts are all worth reviewing. That is especially important when moving between 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 7.50R16 formats.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire condition, then verify that the new tires match the truck's size requirement and wheel diameter. On an older F-250, it also makes sense to check for obvious rubbing points, uneven suspension stance, and any sign that prior wheel changes may affect fitment.
Road readiness goes beyond the tire itself on a long-serving truck. Air pressure, tread condition, sidewall damage, cracking, and slow air loss should all be monitored from the start, especially if the vehicle sits for long periods. A short local drive followed by a recheck can catch issues before the truck is asked to do heavier work.
How should tires on a collector-era 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 be maintained?
Tires on a collector-era 1987 Ford Trucks F-250 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a truck that is driven only occasionally can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or air loss if maintenance is neglected.
Routine checks are especially important because many surviving F-250s alternate between storage and short trips rather than daily use. Looking over the tread, sidewalls, and wheel condition before each outing is a smart habit. Any sign of bulging, cuts, persistent pressure loss, or contact marks around the wheelwell deserves attention before road miles accumulate.
