The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler arrived at the start of the YJ era, carrying Jeep’s traditional open-air utility into a more road-friendly package while still appealing to buyers who expected genuine trail capability. That mix of everyday use and rugged character makes tire choice especially important on this model. The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler uses radial tires on 15-inch rims, with 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15 all appearing across the covered fitments. Available choices range from classic whitewall treatments to more utility-focused designs. The right selection depends on the look you want, the wheel width on the vehicle, and whether the Jeep remains stock or has been modified.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler
The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler uses three primary tire sizes: 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15. All three are radial sizes built for 15-inch rims, and each appears across the Base, Laredo, and Sport sub-models. The first step is confirming which size is already on the Jeep or which wheel-and-tire combination the vehicle is set up to use, then comparing sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and intended use.
In 205/75R15, the 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler, this size suits a smaller overall tire profile than the other primary choices while keeping the same 15-inch wheel diameter. Product choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, goldline, and redline sidewall treatments. This size is worth considering when the Jeep is set up for a narrower tire or when appearance matters as much as utility.
The 215/75R15 size uses a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. For the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler, it sits in the middle of the covered size range and balances a traditional light-truck stance with broad product availability. Choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with options ranging from narrow and wide whitewalls to an RBL All-Terrain T/A KO2. This size makes sense when the Jeep needs a versatile radial fitment and the owner wants room to compare both appearance-driven and utility-minded tires.
A 225/75R15 tire is a metric radial with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler, it is the largest of the three primary sizes and brings a broader footprint than 205/75R15 or 215/75R15. Available options include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations. This size deserves a closer look when the Jeep already carries a wider 15-inch wheel setup or when the owner wants a fuller tire profile without moving away from radial construction.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler sub-models because Base, Laredo, and Sport can all use the same three radial tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps organize the search, but the more important step is confirming which 15-inch wheel-and-tire combination is actually on the Jeep.
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1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler Base
The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler Base can use 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15 radial tires on 15-inch rims. That means selection is less about trim-specific restrictions and more about verifying current wheel width, then choosing the sidewall style or tire character that matches the Jeep’s intended use.
The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler Laredo shares the same three primary radial sizes: 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15. Tire choice comes down to confirming the Jeep’s actual wheel setup and deciding whether the goal is a more restoration-minded whitewall look or a more utility-oriented radial presentation.
The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler Sport also uses the same covered 15-inch radial sizes as the other sub-models. With fitment shared across the range, the main decision is selecting the size that matches the Jeep’s present wheel and stance, then narrowing the choice by brand, sidewall style, and intended road or trail use.
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 Jeep Trucks Wrangler Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler tire options cover all three primary 15-inch radial sizes and include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Buyers can compare classic whitewall treatments, goldline and redline styling in 205/75R15, and a more utility-focused BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in 215/75R15.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.375 Inch Whitewall | 205/75R15
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler, how the three 15-inch radial fitments differ, and what to check when choosing tires for appearance, utility, wheel fitment, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler?
The 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler uses three primary tire sizes: 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15. All three are radial sizes built for 15-inch rims, and all three appear across the covered Wrangler sub-models, including Base, Laredo, and Sport.
That means the real fitment question is not just model name, but which wheel-and-tire setup is actually on the Jeep. Checking the current tire size, measuring wheel width, and looking for suspension or wheel changes will help narrow the choice before comparing sidewall style, brand, or a more utility-oriented tread design.
What size rim does a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler use?
The covered tire sizes for the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler all use a 15-inch rim diameter. Whether the Jeep is running 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15, the tire is designed around a 15-inch wheel rather than multiple rim diameters.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Wheel width still matters because the available products have different approved rim-width ranges, and the larger 225/75R15 choices generally call for wider wheels than many 205/75R15 tires. Confirming both diameter and width prevents choosing a tire that matches the rim size but not the wheel properly.
Do all 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler sub-models use the same tire size?
Base, Laredo, and Sport all share the same covered tire-size range on the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler. Each of those sub-models can use 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15 radial tires on 15-inch rims rather than having a separate trim-specific size list.
That makes sub-model identification less critical than confirming the Jeep’s actual wheel and tire setup. A Wrangler that has changed hands over the years may already be running a different width wheel, aftermarket tires, or suspension changes, so matching the tire to the current configuration is more useful than relying on trim name alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the Jeep’s current setup: 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15 on a 15-inch rim. From there, compare radial construction details such as approved rim-width range, load capacity where stated, sidewall styling, and whether the tire is aimed at classic appearance or more utility-minded use.
A Wrangler used mostly for relaxed road driving may point a buyer toward one of the classic whitewall radials, while a Jeep expected to see rougher service may justify a different style altogether. Matching the tire to the actual wheel, the Jeep’s stance, and the look you want usually leads to a better result than choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, goldline, redline, and RBL. Most of the selection leans toward classic whitewall radials, while the RBL option appears on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in 215/75R15.
Sidewall style changes the Jeep’s visual character as much as the tire size does. A whitewall can give the Wrangler a more restoration-oriented or period-style presentation, while a plain black sidewall or utility-style design tends to look more functional. The best choice depends on whether the Jeep is being preserved for appearance, regular road use, or a more rugged role.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler?
Tires for the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler are available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Those brands cover the three primary sizes and include several series such as Silvertown Radial, American Classic Radial, Star Series, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, UN106, and All Terrain TA KO2.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the kind of tire you want rather than suggesting one universal answer. Some options focus on traditional whitewall presentation, while others bring a more everyday or all-terrain look. Once the size and wheel compatibility are confirmed, comparing brand by sidewall style, series character, and stated load specification becomes more meaningful.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler?
A period-style 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler tire choice usually starts with the correct 15-inch radial size already suited to the Jeep: 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15. From there, many buyers lean toward classic-looking radial lines such as BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, American Classic Radial, Coker Classic, or Star Series, especially in whitewall form.
Appearance still needs to follow fitment. A narrower 205/75R15 gives a different visual result than a fuller 225/75R15, and the wheel width on the Jeep may narrow the practical choices. When exact restoration accuracy matters, period photos, marque literature, and Jeep-specific club guidance are useful references before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler?
On the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction itself already aligns with the model’s later-classic era. Appearance differences come less from switching between bias-ply and radial and more from size selection, sidewall treatment, and the overall character of the tire series mounted on the 15-inch wheel.
A narrow or wide whitewall can shift the Jeep toward a more restoration-oriented look, while a plain black or all-terrain style changes the presentation immediately. Tire width matters visually as well, since 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15 do not fill the wheel opening the same way. Choosing with both stance and sidewall style in mind usually produces the most coherent restored appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler?
Yes. Even though the 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler uses 15-inch radial tire sizes such as 205/75R15, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15, aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lifts, lowering changes, or body modifications can all affect what works on the vehicle now.
A Jeep that has been changed from stock should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and any rubbing at full turn or suspension travel. Those checks matter just as much as the size printed on the sidewall. Confirming the actual setup prevents choosing a tire that matches the rim diameter but not the Jeep’s present configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm proper rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the setup. It also helps to check lug hardware, valve stems, and whether the tires clear suspension and body components through the steering range.
A collector or infrequently used Jeep deserves an extra walk-around after installation and again after the first few drives. Watch for air loss, uneven wear, vibration, rubbing marks, cuts, bulges, or signs that an old suspension or steering component is affecting the new tires. Catching those issues early protects both tire life and road manners.
How should 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1987 Jeep Trucks Wrangler should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, cracking, cuts, punctures, and sidewall damage. Because many older Wranglers see seasonal or hobby use, it is also smart to inspect for age-related deterioration that may not show up as simple tread wear.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a collector-era Jeep. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. Routine checks become even more important if the Jeep has sat for long periods, since flat-spotting, slow air loss, and hidden cracking are common concerns.