The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 belongs to the first wave of GMT400 pickups, a generation known for blending traditional Chevy truck toughness with a more modern ride and interior than the square-body trucks that came before it. That makes tire choice especially important, because these trucks are often used for real road miles as well as preservation-minded ownership. The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 uses radial 16-inch tire fitments, with 225/75R16 and 245/75R16 applications depending on cab configuration. Available choices stay focused and purposeful, centered on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter styling. The key is matching the correct size to the exact sub-model before comparing load capacity, rim-width range, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500, and both are radial tires built for 16-inch rims. The size difference follows the truck's exact sub-model, so the first step is confirming whether the K1500 is a regular cab or extended cab configuration before choosing a tire. Once that is settled, the decision becomes comparing the available tire's load capacity, rim-width range, and overall intended use.
245/75R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 represents the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500, this size is used on certain extended cab sub-models and suits the truck's modern radial fitment. Available choices in this size center on BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This size is the one to evaluate when the truck's configuration calls for the wider extended-cab fitment and the wheel remains the correct 16-inch diameter.
225/75R16 is also a metric radial size, with 225 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 75 indicating the aspect ratio, R marking radial construction, and 16 designating the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500, this size is used on certain regular cab sub-models and keeps the truck within its proper 16-inch radial fitment. BFGoodrich offers this size in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter styling. It is the right size to review when the truck is a regular cab and the goal is staying with the correct size before comparing wheel width and load needs.
Tire fitment on the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 varies by sub-model, with the main split following regular cab versus extended cab configurations. Checking the exact trim and cab style matters first, because both sizes use the same 16-inch rim diameter but are not the same overall tire fitment.
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1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Cheyenne Ext. Cab
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Cheyenne Ext. Cab uses the 245/75R16 radial tire size on a 16-inch rim. That makes the tire decision more about choosing the right product within that fitment and confirming wheel width, load capacity, and overall truck setup.
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Cheyenne Reg. Cab uses the 225/75R16 radial tire size on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection starts with keeping that regular-cab fitment straight, then comparing product details such as load rating, rim-width range, and intended road or trail use.
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Scottsdale Ext. Cab uses the 245/75R16 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the practical question is not construction type but staying with the correct extended-cab size and verifying that the truck still has the proper 16-inch wheels.
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Scottsdale Reg. Cab uses 225/75R16 radial tires. That points the buyer toward the narrower regular-cab fitment, with final selection focused on wheel compatibility, load support, and the truck's actual use rather than appearance variations.
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Silverado Ext. Cab uses the 245/75R16 radial size. Choosing a tire here means confirming the truck's extended-cab fitment first, then reviewing the available product's rim-width range and load specification against the wheel and driving plan.
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Silverado Reg. Cab uses the 225/75R16 radial size. For this sub-model, the main fitment step is staying with the correct regular-cab size before checking wheel width, tire condition, and whether the truck has been altered from its original wheel setup.
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 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 tire choices are centered on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radials in both 225/75R16 and 245/75R16 sizes. The product comparison is straightforward, with raised white letter sidewalls, 16-inch fitment, and different rim-width and load-capacity specifications between the two sizes.
Owners of a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 usually need to sort out the correct tire size by sub-model first, then compare rim fitment, load capability, product style, and basic road-use checks before putting the truck back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 uses either 245/75R16 or 225/75R16 radial tires, depending on the exact sub-model. Extended cab versions use 245/75R16, while regular cab versions use 225/75R16. Both sizes are built for 16-inch rims.
That means the first step is identifying the truck's cab configuration before selecting a tire. A K1500 that has changed wheels over the years should also have its actual wheel diameter and width checked, since the correct tire size depends on both the original sub-model fitment and the truck's current wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 use?
The tire fitments used on the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 are built around a 16-inch rim diameter. Both 225/75R16 and 245/75R16 use that same 16-inch wheel diameter, even though the two tire sizes differ in width and overall dimensions.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to verify wheel width before choosing a tire. The available 225/75R16 tire suits a 6.0 to 7.0-inch rim width range, while the available 245/75R16 tire suits a 6.5 to 8.0-inch range, which can matter if the truck has aftermarket wheels.
Do all 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 uses two different tire sizes across its covered sub-models. Cheyenne, Scottsdale, and Silverado regular cab models use 225/75R16, while Cheyenne, Scottsdale, and Silverado extended cab models use 245/75R16.
That split makes sub-model identification important, even though every fitment uses a 16-inch rim and radial construction. A buyer looking only at trim level could miss the more important distinction, which is cab style. Confirming both the sub-model and the actual wheel on the truck helps avoid ordering the wrong size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
Start with the correct size for the truck's exact sub-model: 225/75R16 for regular cab versions and 245/75R16 for extended cab versions. From there, compare the tire's radial construction, load capacity, rim-width range, and whether its overall character matches how the K1500 will actually be used.
A truck kept close to stock should still have its wheel width checked, especially if it has seen decades of wheel swaps. It also helps to think about real use rather than appearance alone, because a pickup that sees cargo, rough roads, or occasional trail use places different demands on a tire than one used mainly for casual weekend driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 tires?
The available tire choices for the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 use RWL sidewalls, which means raised white letters. That gives the truck a distinctly late-1980s and early-1990s light-truck look rather than a plain blackwall presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the basic fitment requirement, so size and wheel compatibility still come first. Even so, appearance matters on trucks from this era, especially if the goal is preserving a period-style stance. Raised white letters can suit the truck's character well, particularly on K1500s that keep their original visual flavor.
What tire series are available for the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
The available tires for the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 are centered on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 series. That series is offered in both primary fitment sizes used on this truck, giving the page a focused product selection rather than several overlapping series choices.
With one series covering both sizes, the real comparison is less about switching between series and more about making sure the chosen size matches the sub-model. Buyers should then review the rim-width range, load specification, and intended use to confirm the tire suits the truck's current wheel setup and how it will be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
A period-style 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 starts with the correct sub-model size, either 225/75R16 or 245/75R16, both in radial construction on 16-inch rims. Staying with the proper size preserves the truck's basic stance and helps keep the overall presentation closer to the way this generation of Chevy pickups is typically recognized.
Appearance decisions can then focus on the available sidewall treatment and the truck's intended character. Raised white letters suit many late-classic pickups well, but exact restoration goals can vary by owner and by truck history. When absolute originality matters, vehicle-specific documentation and marque expertise are the best guides for final appearance details.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 because the primary fitments are radial. That means the truck's restored appearance is shaped less by choosing between bias-ply and radial construction, and more by selecting the correct size, proper 16-inch wheel fitment, and the sidewall presentation.
A restored truck can look noticeably off if the size is too narrow, too wide, or paired with the wrong wheel setup, even when the tire itself is high quality. Matching the proper regular cab or extended cab fitment helps maintain the visual proportions that belong on this generation of K1500.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, suspension lifts, lowering changes, different wheel offsets, or body alterations can all affect tire fitment on a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500. Even though the original fitments use 16-inch radial tires, a modified truck may no longer match its stock wheel and clearance conditions.
That is why the actual truck should be checked before replacing tires by size alone. Wheel width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension travel all matter, especially on a four-wheel-drive pickup. A K1500 that has stayed stock is simpler, but a modified one needs its current setup verified before any new tire is chosen.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm lug hardware condition, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the truck should be checked for any obvious clearance issues at full steering lock.
A short test drive followed by a second inspection is a smart next step, especially on an older truck that may have sat for long periods. Watching for rubbing, vibration, uneven stance, or air loss helps catch setup issues early. This matters even more if the K1500 has changed wheels or suspension parts at some point.
How should tires on a collector-era 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 be maintained?
Tires on a collector-era 1989 Chevrolet Trucks K1500 should be checked regularly for pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss. Low-use trucks deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition even when tread still looks usable.
Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on an older pickup. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive, since a K1500 that sits often can develop issues between outings.
