The 1987 Plymouth Sundance belongs to the wave of compact front-wheel-drive American cars that defined practical daily transportation in the late 1980s. Its straightforward packaging and clean, understated styling make it a useful survivor today, whether the goal is preservation, light restoration, or simply keeping a well-kept original on the road. Tire fitment on the 1987 Plymouth Sundance centers on two radial sizes, 185/70R14 and 165/80R13, depending on the sub-model. That creates a real choice not just in size, but also in sidewall appearance, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options available. The right selection starts with confirming the exact series and wheel diameter already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Plymouth Sundance
Two tire sizes apply to the 1987 Plymouth Sundance, and the right one depends on the sub-model and wheel diameter. The H-Series uses a 14-inch radial setup, while the L-Series uses a 13-inch radial setup, so confirming the exact series and the wheels currently on the car is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or product specifications.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Plymouth Sundance, this size belongs to a 14-inch wheel setup and suits buyers looking to stay with the correct primary radial fitment for the applicable sub-model. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall designs from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across series such as Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car carries the H-Series fitment and the existing wheels match the 14-inch specification.
165/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 165 millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Plymouth Sundance, this size is tied to the 13-inch wheel configuration used on the applicable sub-model, making wheel confirmation especially important before purchase. Product choices in this size include period-style whitewall presentations, with BFGoodrich offering a wide whitewall and Maxxis offering a narrow whitewall in the Classic Whitewall MA-1 line. This is the size to focus on when the car is an L-Series Sundance or when the vehicle still retains its original 13-inch wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Plymouth Sundance because the covered series do not share the same tire size. One uses a 14-inch radial tire and the other uses a 13-inch radial tire, so identifying the exact series is the first step before comparing tire choices.
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1987 Plymouth Sundance H-Series
The 1987 Plymouth Sundance H-Series uses the larger 14-inch radial fitment within this model range. That makes tire selection less about choosing between multiple primary sizes and more about confirming the wheel setup, then deciding among blackwall or wide whitewall options and the available tire series in 185/70R14.
The 1987 Plymouth Sundance L-Series uses the 13-inch radial fitment rather than the 14-inch setup found elsewhere in the line. Tire selection here centers on 165/80R13 and becomes a matter of confirming the current wheels, then choosing the sidewall look that best suits an original-style or restoration-oriented presentation.
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 Plymouth Sundance Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Plymouth Sundance tires vary by size, brand, series, and sidewall appearance. The 185/70R14 fitment includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options, while 165/80R13 focuses on whitewall choices from BFGoodrich and Maxxis.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Common 1987 Plymouth Sundance tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, confirming 13-inch versus 14-inch wheels, and choosing among the available radial tire styles, brands, and sidewall treatments.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
A 1987 Plymouth Sundance uses one of two radial tire sizes: 185/70R14 or 165/80R13. The H-Series uses 185/70R14, while the L-Series uses 165/80R13, so there is not one universal tire size across every Sundance configuration covered here.
The practical first step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking the wheel diameter already on the car. Since these two sizes use different rim diameters, tire selection should begin with the series designation and the actual wheels in place, especially if the car has had wheels changed at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1987 Plymouth Sundance use?
The 1987 Plymouth Sundance uses either a 14-inch rim or a 13-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The H-Series is paired with the 185/70R14 tire size on a 14-inch rim, while the L-Series uses 165/80R13 on a 13-inch rim.
That rim difference is important because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. Before comparing tread patterns, sidewall styles, or brands, check the wheel itself to confirm diameter, and make sure the car still has the correct wheel setup if it has been modified or restored over the years.
Why does the 1987 Plymouth Sundance have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Plymouth Sundance has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel and tire combinations. Within this model range, the H-Series uses 185/70R14 and the L-Series uses 165/80R13, both in radial construction.
That means the correct tire choice is tied to the exact series rather than the Sundance name alone. A buyer should confirm both the sub-model and the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle, then choose within the appropriate size based on appearance, brand, and product specifications instead of assuming every 1987 Sundance uses the same setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact car: 185/70R14 for the H-Series or 165/80R13 for the L-Series. After size is confirmed, the main considerations become wheel compatibility, radial construction, sidewall appearance, and the type of driving or presentation the car is intended for.
A buyer restoring a preserved Sundance may care more about whether the car looks right with a wide or narrow whitewall, while another owner may prefer a blackwall performance-oriented presentation. Rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the current wheel setup should all be checked before choosing among the available products.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Plymouth Sundance tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 185/70R14, available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall, while 165/80R13 is available with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments.
That gives the 1987 Plymouth Sundance owner some flexibility in how the finished car presents without changing the basic tire size. A blackwall can maintain a simple late-1980s driver look, while whitewall options create a more restoration-oriented appearance, especially on a well-preserved compact where visual details have a noticeable effect.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
Brands available for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, and Maxxis. Brand choice depends on tire size, with the broader brand spread appearing in 185/70R14 and the 165/80R13 options focusing on BFGoodrich and Maxxis.
The best way to compare them is not by brand name alone, but by how each product matches the car and the owner’s goals. Sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, and any stated load information can matter just as much as brand when selecting a radial tire for a compact collector-era Plymouth.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
A period-style 1987 Plymouth Sundance should begin with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, since the H-Series and L-Series do not share the same fitment. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks more appropriate with a blackwall setup or one of the available whitewall treatments.
The 185/70R14 fitment offers both blackwall and wide whitewall choices, while 165/80R13 focuses on whitewall presentation. Owners pursuing a highly exact restoration should still compare the finished appearance with period photos, marque references, or vehicle-specific historical material rather than assuming any one currently available sidewall treatment is automatically correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
On the 1987 Plymouth Sundance, the primary fitments here are radial tires, so the construction itself already aligns with the car’s late-1980s tire era. Appearance differences are therefore shaped more by sidewall treatment and tire series than by a bias-ply-versus-radial decision.
That still matters visually, because a blackwall can give the car a cleaner driver-style look, while narrow or wide whitewalls create a more stylized restoration presentation. Keeping the correct size and wheel diameter is just as important as the sidewall design, since proportions that look off can change the character of a restored compact very quickly.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Plymouth Sundance even when the tire size itself is correct for the model range. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork changes can all influence clearance, wheel compatibility, and how the tire sits within the fender opening.
A Sundance that no longer has its original wheels may not match the factory-style sub-model fitment shown by size alone. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components before mounting tires, especially when moving between 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups or using replacement wheels of uncertain specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Plymouth Sundance on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Plymouth Sundance on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect tire wear or tracking. It also helps to make sure the tires match the car’s actual sub-model and wheel setup.
A short visual and mechanical check can prevent fitment surprises after installation. Verify there is no rubbing at full steering lock, watch for uneven stance, and recheck air pressure after the first drives. On a low-use collector car, it is also smart to inspect valve stems, wheel balance, and any signs of long-term storage-related deterioration elsewhere.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Plymouth Sundance be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Plymouth Sundance should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a car that is driven lightly still needs routine tire attention because age can matter as much as mileage.
Storage habits make a difference on an older compact that may spend much of its time parked. Keep the car on a clean, dry surface, move it occasionally to avoid prolonged flat spotting, and check for slow air loss before road use. Regular inspection is especially important when preserving original-style wheel and tire proportions on a lightly used vehicle.
