The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban comes from the square-body truck era, a time when heavy-duty Suburbans were built to handle work, towing, and long-distance hauling with the extra utility of a full-size wagon body. On this model, tire fitment is refreshingly straightforward because the primary size is 235/85R16, a radial mounted on a 16-inch rim. That puts the buying decision less on finding the right size and more on choosing the right tire character within that fitment. For an R2500 Suburban, the focus should be on rim compatibility, load capacity, sidewall presentation, and making sure the truck's current wheel and suspension setup still matches the original fitment path.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban uses one primary tire size: 235/85R16. It is a radial tire for a 16-inch rim, and that same fitment carries across the covered 4x2, 4x2 Front, and 4x2 Rear configurations. That means the real choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between available tires within this size and whether the truck still has wheels and chassis dimensions that match the original setup.
The size 235/85R16 is a metric radial format: 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban, this is the core heavy-duty fitment and suits the truck's work-oriented and load-carrying role. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich with an All Terrain TA KO2 series tire and a raised white letter sidewall treatment. This size is the right starting point when the goal is to keep the truck on its correct 16-inch wheel fitment while comparing tire character and wheel-width compatibility.
Tire fitment stays consistent across the covered sub-models for the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban. That makes selection simpler, but checking the exact configuration still helps confirm wheel placement and make sure the truck has not been changed from its original 16-inch setup.
1
1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban 4x2
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban 4x2 uses the same 235/85R16 radial fitment as the rest of the covered lineup. Tire selection can stay focused on choosing the right product within that size, along with confirming wheel width and the truck's present-day stance or suspension condition.
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban 4x2 Front position uses 235/85R16 radial tires on the same basic fitment path. For front tire selection, the key is keeping the correct size while checking steering clearance, wheel width, and any signs that alignment or suspension wear could affect tire behavior.
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban 4x2 Rear position also uses 235/85R16 radial tires. That keeps rear fitment straightforward, with the main considerations being load-carrying needs, wheel compatibility, and making sure the rear suspension and axle setup still match the intended tire size.
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 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban Tires for Sale
Available 235/85R16 options for the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban center on radial construction, with BFGoodrich offering an All Terrain TA KO2 tire in raised white letter form. The product grid is most useful for comparing sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, load specification, and overall tire character.
Owners of a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban usually want quick answers on 235/85R16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, tire selection, and what to inspect before putting a heavy-duty Suburban back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban?
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban uses a 235/85R16 radial tire. That is the primary fitment across the covered configurations here, including the 4x2, 4x2 Front, and 4x2 Rear applications, so the size question is unusually straightforward for this vehicle.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is checking that the truck still has the correct 16-inch wheels and a wheel width that matches the tire being considered. That matters especially on older trucks that may have seen replacement wheels, suspension work, or other changes over time.
What size rim does a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban use?
The 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban uses a 16-inch rim with its 235/85R16 tire size. The available product in this fitment also supports that wheel diameter and is intended for a rim-width range of 6.0 to 7.5 inches.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before comparing tires, because a 16-inch tire must be mounted on a 16-inch wheel. Wheel width matters too, since a heavy-duty truck tire can behave differently when mounted outside its intended range, even when the diameter itself is correct.
Do all 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban sub-models here all use the same 235/85R16 radial tire size. That includes the 4x2 model as well as the separately noted front and rear positions for the same overall vehicle configuration.
Shared size fitment makes replacement easier, but it is still smart to inspect the truck before choosing a tire. Older Suburbans are often used hard or modified over time, so wheel condition, suspension height, and clearance should still be checked rather than assuming every surviving truck remains exactly as built.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban?
Start with the correct size and construction: 235/85R16 radial on a 16-inch wheel. From there, compare the tire's intended use, rim-width compatibility, load specification, sidewall appearance, and overall tread character, especially if the Suburban is used for hauling, towing, mixed road use, or mostly occasional cruising.
A heavy-duty truck like the R2500 Suburban benefits from matching the tire to how the vehicle is actually driven today. An owner keeping a stock-looking utility truck may care about sidewall presentation, while someone using the truck regularly may focus more on load support, wheel match, and all-terrain versus highway-oriented character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban tires?
In the available 235/85R16 fitment, the sidewall style offered is RWL, which is raised white letter. That gives the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban a more assertive truck-oriented look than a plain blackwall while staying within the correct overall size and radial construction.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision unless a buyer is comparing products with different intended uses in the same size. On a square-body Suburban, raised white letters can suit a period-style truck presentation, but the wheel width, load capacity, and overall tire type still matter more than sidewall lettering alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban?
The available tire offering in this fitment comes from BFGoodrich. For the 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban's 235/85R16 size, that means the buyer is comparing within a recognized truck-tire brand and looking at the specific series and specifications attached to that product.
When brand choice is narrow, the decision shifts toward the details of the tire itself rather than a broad brand comparison. Pay attention to series character, sidewall style, load figure, and wheel-width range, then match those details to the truck's intended use and present-day wheel setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban?
A period-style 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban should begin with the correct 235/85R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. Keeping the proper size preserves the truck's overall stance and heavy-duty character better than chasing a different size simply for looks.
Appearance decisions can then focus on details such as sidewall treatment and tread personality. Raised white letters can suit the late-1980s truck look, but buyers pursuing exact restoration standards should compare any tire choice with vehicle-specific historical references, original sales material, or marque expertise before treating a particular presentation as exact.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban restoration because tire size influences stance, wheel proportion, and the overall visual balance of the truck. Staying with 235/85R16 keeps the restoration anchored to the proper basic fitment rather than introducing an avoidable mismatch.
Fitment also affects how the Suburban sits and functions on the road. Even on a restoration-focused build, wheel width, load capacity, and clearance should be checked carefully, especially if the vehicle now wears replacement wheels or suspension components that differ from the original heavy-duty setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban even when the intended size remains 235/85R16. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel offset, suspension lifts or drops, steering component changes, and body or fender work can all affect how a tire fits and clears.
A truck that has been changed from stock should be measured rather than assumed correct. Confirm wheel diameter and width first, then check turning clearance, suspension travel, and space at the fenders and inner wheelhouses so the chosen tire matches the truck's current configuration instead of only its original fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel size is correct, and make sure valve stems, lug hardware, and tire pressures are in proper condition. It is also wise to look at alignment wear, steering response, and overall suspension condition.
A fresh set of tires cannot correct mechanical problems elsewhere on the truck. Any looseness in steering parts, worn shocks, sagging springs, or uneven ride height can affect how the new tires wear and behave, so the Suburban should be road-checked as a complete system rather than tire-only maintenance.
How should 235/85R16 tires on a collector 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban be maintained?
235/85R16 tires on a collector 1987 GMC Trucks R2500 Suburban should be kept at appropriate operating pressure for the application, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, tread issues, and slow air loss, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure when the truck sits for long periods.
Collector trucks often age out their tires before they wear them out, so visual condition matters as much as tread depth. Periodic inspection of wheel condition and checking for flat-spotting or age-related hardening helps keep a low-use Suburban safer and more predictable when it finally goes back into regular road service.
