The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 sits in the square-body era that remains popular with truck owners who appreciate straightforward utility, clean styling, and broad restoration potential. Whether it is kept as a stock half-ton pickup, refreshed as a weekend cruiser, or detailed with a more custom look, tire choice has a big effect on stance and character. This V1500 uses 15-inch radial fitments, with 235/75R15 and LR60-15 both associated with the truck across its covered sub-models. That opens the door to practical metric radials as well as vintage-style alphanumeric radial sizing. The right choice depends on the look you want, the wheel setup on the truck, and how closely you want the finished package to follow a traditional or custom presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500
The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments on 15-inch rims. Because the same two sizes appear across the covered sub-models, the key decision is not trim level alone but which sizing style matches the truck's wheels, appearance goals, and overall setup. Confirm the wheel dimensions first, then compare the available tire styles within the size you plan to run.
235/75R15 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500, it represents a familiar modern radial format for 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 across several tire series. It is a practical size to evaluate when the truck retains a conventional radial setup and the goal is to balance correct fitment with a specific visual style.
LR60-15 is an alphanumeric radial size, with the lettered prefix identifying the tire's size class, the 60 indicating its profile family, and the 15 marking the rim diameter. For a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500, this size points to a more vintage performance-style radial sizing convention rather than a modern metric format. Its appeal is usually visual as much as technical, since alphanumeric radial sizing gives the truck a different period look than a standard metric truck tire. It deserves a closer fitment check against the actual wheel and truck setup before selection, especially if appearance and stance are part of the decision.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 sub-models, because each one uses the same two radial tire sizes. That means the main task is confirming which of the two sizing formats matches the truck's wheels and the look you want rather than sorting through trim-specific tire differences.
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1987 GMC Trucks V1500 Base
The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 Base uses the same two 15-inch radial sizes found across the rest of the covered lineup. Tire selection comes down to choosing between the modern metric 235/75R15 format and the vintage-style LR60-15 presentation, then matching that choice to the truck's wheel setup and intended appearance.
The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 High Sierra shares the same pair of radial tire sizes as the other covered sub-models. That keeps fitment simple, but it still helps to verify the actual wheels on the truck before choosing between a more conventional 235/75R15 radial and the more styled alphanumeric LR60-15 format.
The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 Sierra Classic uses the same 15-inch radial fitments as the Base and High Sierra. With no trim-specific tire-size split to sort out, the decision centers on the truck's current wheel dimensions and whether the goal is a standard radial look or a more vintage alphanumeric radial style.
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 V1500 Tires for Sale
Available 235/75R15 choices span BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar, with series and sidewall options that include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, rim-width range, load figures, and series character within this radial size.
These FAQs focus on 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 tire size selection, 15-inch rim fitment, radial sizing formats, sidewall choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a square-body truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
The 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 uses two radial tire sizes: 235/75R15 and LR60-15. Both sizes are associated with the truck across the covered Base, High Sierra, and Sierra Classic sub-models, and both are built for 15-inch rims.
That means the first step is confirming which wheel setup is actually on the truck. A V1500 that still has its expected 15-inch wheels may still need a choice between modern metric radial sizing and vintage alphanumeric radial sizing, so wheel width, overall appearance, and clearance should all be reviewed before settling on one size.
What size rim does a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 use?
The covered tire fitments for the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 235/75R15 and LR60-15 are 15-inch tire sizes, so the truck's primary fitment question is not rim diameter but which radial sizing format best matches the wheels and intended look.
Rim diameter alone is not the whole story, especially on an older truck that may have seen wheel changes over time. It is smart to confirm the actual wheel width and compare it against the tire's approved rim-width range, since that affects how the tire sits on the wheel and whether the fitment remains appropriate.
Do all 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 sub-models all share the same two tire sizes. Base, High Sierra, and Sierra Classic each use 235/75R15 and LR60-15, so there is no trim-specific split among those sub-models in this fitment group.
That shared fitment simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to check the truck itself. Older pickups are often updated with aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or appearance-driven tire swaps, so it still helps to verify the wheel dimensions and the truck's current stance before choosing between the two radial size formats.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/75R15 tire for a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
Start with the basics: correct size, radial construction, and 15-inch wheel compatibility. From there, 235/75R15 choices for the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width range, weight, and load figures, so the best match depends on whether the truck is being kept stock-looking, restored with whitewalls, or given a more utility-focused presentation.
A raised white letter all-terrain tire creates a very different impression than a narrow or wide whitewall radial, even when the size is the same. It helps to compare the truck's actual wheel width against the tire's approved range and think about how the sidewall style will look with the paint, trim, and ride height already on the vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 tires?
In 235/75R15, sidewall choices for the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs. That gives the truck owner a broad visual range, from a more rugged truck presentation to a cleaner restoration-style look with more white showing on the sidewall.
Sidewall style can change the personality of a square-body GMC as much as wheel choice does. A raised white letter tire suits a more utility or sport-truck direction, while narrow and wide whitewalls lean more toward classic presentation, custom influence, or an upscale period-style appearance depending on how the truck is trimmed and finished.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
Available 235/75R15 tires for the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 include choices from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar. Those brands appear across several radial series, including all-terrain, classic radial, and whitewall-oriented designs, so the selection is broader than a single style or use case.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is more useful to compare each tire's series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and load specification, then choose the one that best suits the truck's wheels and the way the finished truck is meant to look, whether that means utility-minded, restoration-oriented, or more custom in presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
A period-style 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 can go in a few different visual directions depending on how the truck is being restored or presented. A 235/75R15 radial with a narrow or wide whitewall can suit a more traditional or custom-leaning appearance, while LR60-15 brings a vintage alphanumeric radial format that can complement certain late-classic truck styles.
The right answer depends on the truck's trim, paint treatment, wheels, and how closely the finished vehicle is meant to follow a specific era look. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, or vehicle-specific historical documentation rather than relying on size alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
On the 1987 GMC Trucks V1500, the covered primary fitments are radial, but construction still influences the truck's visual character because sizing format and sidewall treatment change the overall presentation. A modern metric radial like 235/75R15 looks different from an alphanumeric radial such as LR60-15, even though both are radial tires for 15-inch rims.
That difference matters on a restored square-body truck, especially when the goal is to match the tire's visual language to the rest of the build. Sidewall treatment then adds another layer, since raised white letters, narrow whitewalls, and wide whitewalls each steer the truck toward a different late-1980s or custom-inspired appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500?
Yes. A 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 may share the same primary tire sizes across its covered sub-models, but modifications can still change what works well on the truck. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, different offset, suspension changes, lowering, or body modifications can all affect how a 235/75R15 or LR60-15 tire sits and clears.
That is why an older truck should always be checked as it sits today, not just as it may have left the factory decades ago. Measure the actual wheel dimensions, turn the steering from lock to lock, and inspect clearance at the fenders and suspension before choosing a replacement tire in either size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the chosen tire size matches the truck's actual setup. It also helps to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, uneven ride height, and any signs that the truck has clearance issues around the fenders or inner wheelhouses.
New tires cannot correct underlying mechanical problems, and an older pickup may have age-related issues even if it looks solid. Tire pressure should be set correctly, lug hardware should be secure, and a short initial drive should be used to listen for rubbing or vibration before the truck is taken on longer trips.
How should 235/75R15 tires on a collector 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 be maintained?
Collector-use 235/75R15 tires on a 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 should be checked regularly for inflation, tread wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss. Trucks that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because tire condition can decline with age and storage even when mileage stays low.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service life. Keep the truck away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible, and inspect the tires before each drive rather than assuming they are ready because the truck was fine on the last outing.
