The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco sits squarely in the era when full-size SUVs were expected to do real truck duty while still serving as everyday transportation. Its upright stance, removable-roof Bronco identity, and broad enthusiast appeal make tire choice more than a simple replacement decision. For this Bronco, the primary fitments are radial 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15 sizes on 15-inch wheels. That leaves room for different directions, from raised white letter all-terrain styling to whitewall radials that give a more custom or restoration-minded look. The right choice starts with confirming which size is on the truck now and whether appearance, road use, or a modified setup is driving the decision.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments on 15-inch wheels. Because the same sub-models can be associated with either size, the first step is confirming what is actually on the Bronco now, especially if the truck has had wheel, suspension, or tire changes over the years. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing between a more standard metric radial fitment and a larger flotation-style light truck tire.
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 wheel diameter in inches. On a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco, this size supports a more standard road-going full-size SUV fitment while keeping the correct 15-inch rim diameter. 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. It is the size to evaluate when the Bronco is staying close to a stock-type wheel and tire presentation or a custom whitewall look is part of the plan.
31X10.50R15 is a flotation-style light truck radial size that states the approximate overall tire diameter first, then section width in inches, followed by the 15-inch wheel diameter. For the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco, it represents a taller, wider light truck-type fitment than the metric alternative while remaining on the same rim diameter. The available product in this size is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling, which gives it a distinctly truck-oriented appearance. This size is worth close attention when the Bronco already wears a 31-inch setup or when wheel width and overall clearance need to be matched to an existing truck stance.
Tire fitment across the covered 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco sub-models is straightforward in one sense and still worth verifying in another. Custom, Eddie Bauer, and XLT can all be associated with the same two radial tire sizes, so the key is confirming the actual wheel-and-tire setup on the individual Bronco before choosing replacements.
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1989 Ford Trucks Bronco Custom
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco Custom can use either of the Bronco’s two 15-inch radial tire sizes. That means replacement selection should start with the tire size already on the truck, then move to the desired look, whether that is a raised white letter all-terrain style or a whitewall radial presentation.
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco Eddie Bauer is associated with both of the Bronco’s radial 15-inch tire sizes rather than a unique trim-specific size. Tire choice comes down to confirming the current setup and deciding whether the goal is a more standard metric radial fitment or the broader flotation-style 31-inch option.
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco XLT shares the same basic tire-fitment situation as the other covered sub-models, with both primary radial sizes appearing on 15-inch wheels. Selection is less about trim name and more about matching the Bronco’s present wheel width, tire size, and intended appearance or 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 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco tire choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar. Across the two primary sizes, the biggest differences are all-terrain versus classic radial character, raised white letter versus narrow or wide whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within the 15-inch fitment.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco, how the two 15-inch radial fitments differ, and what to check when choosing between all-terrain, whitewall, or modified truck setups.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco?
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco uses two primary tire sizes: 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15. Both are radial tires built for 15-inch wheels, so the fitment question is not about bias-ply versus radial, but about confirming which of those two sizes belongs on the individual Bronco you are replacing tires on.
That matters because the two sizes do not represent the same tire profile or overall package. A Bronco may still have its original-style setup, or it may have been changed over time with different wheels, suspension height, or tire upgrades. Checking the current tire size, wheel width, and clearance before ordering helps avoid choosing the wrong 15-inch radial simply because both sizes are associated with the same year and model.
What size rim does a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco use?
The tire fitments associated with the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco use a 15-inch rim diameter. That is true for both 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15, so the wheel diameter stays consistent even though the two tire sizes differ in section width and overall tire proportions.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Product specifications within these sizes show different recommended rim-width ranges, so a 15-inch wheel still needs the right width for the tire being considered. Before replacing tires, confirm both the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width on the Bronco, especially if aftermarket wheels or a larger 31-inch tire setup may have been added at some point.
Why does the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco is associated with both 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15 because this full-size SUV could appear with different wheel-and-tire setups while staying on a 15-inch rim. One size follows a more conventional metric radial format, while the other is a flotation-style light truck radial with a larger stated overall diameter and width.
For an owner, that means the right replacement starts with the Bronco in front of you rather than the trim badge alone. Custom, Eddie Bauer, and XLT can all be linked to either size, so the practical step is to read the current tires, confirm wheel width, and make sure the chosen size matches the truck’s present stance, clearance, and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco tire?
Start by confirming whether the Bronco is using 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15, since both are valid 15-inch radial fitments for this model. From there, compare the tire’s intended character, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and load specification. The available choices range from all-terrain raised white letter tires to classic-style radials with narrow or wide whitewalls.
The best choice depends on how the Bronco is set up and how it is meant to look and drive. A truck kept close to a stock-style road setup may point one direction, while a Bronco already wearing a 31-inch tire package points another. Matching the tire to the existing wheels, appearance goal, and real-world use usually matters more than the trim name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco include raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs. Raised white letter appears on the BFGoodrich all-terrain offerings, while 235/75R15 also opens the door to several classic radial options with whitewall treatments that range from subtle to much more pronounced.
That sidewall decision changes the Bronco’s presentation almost as much as the tire size itself. Raised white letter gives a more truck-oriented late-1980s look, while narrow and wide whitewalls can push the vehicle toward a custom, restoration-inspired, or cruiser style. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall choice becomes one of the clearest ways to match the tire to the Bronco’s appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco?
Tires for the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco are available from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Tornel, and Travelstar. Brand choice varies by size, with 235/75R15 offering the broadest spread of options and 31X10.50R15 represented here by a BFGoodrich all-terrain raised white letter tire.
Brand matters mainly because it often aligns with a certain style of tire rather than changing the basic fitment rules. Some options lean toward classic whitewall presentation, while others emphasize light truck appearance and all-terrain character. After confirming the correct size, compare each brand’s series, sidewall treatment, rim-width range, and load figures to narrow the field in a practical way.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco?
A period-style choice for a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco depends on which of the two primary sizes the truck is already set up to use. In 235/75R15, the available radials include both raised white letter and multiple whitewall options, while 31X10.50R15 takes the Bronco toward a more truck-oriented all-terrain look on the same 15-inch rim diameter.
That gives a restoration-minded owner room to shape the truck’s character without leaving the correct year-and-model fitment path. A more original-feeling appearance may call for staying close to the existing size and sidewall style already associated with the Bronco. If exact historical accuracy matters beyond general period style, compare against marque references, photos, or original vehicle paperwork before committing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco?
For the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco, the primary fitments are radial in both available sizes, so the appearance question is less about choosing bias-ply or radial and more about how the radial tire is styled. In practice, sidewall treatment and overall tire size do most of the visual work here, from raised white letters to narrow or wide whitewalls.
That means a restored Bronco can look very different even while remaining within the correct radial fitment family. A 235/75R15 whitewall radial creates a far different impression than a 31X10.50R15 raised white letter all-terrain. For appearance-focused projects, match the tire not just to the wheel diameter, but to the truck’s stance, trim level presentation, and the era-specific look you want to preserve.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco?
Yes. Even though the 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco is associated with 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15 on 15-inch wheels, modifications can change which tire works properly on a specific truck. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lifts, lowering, steering changes, or body trimming can all affect how much room the tire has.
That is especially important when moving between the standard metric radial and the larger flotation-style size. A Bronco with changed wheels may still have the correct diameter but an unsuitable width for a given tire. Before replacing anything, inspect the current setup closely and make sure wheel width, tire clearance, and steering travel all agree with the size you intend to run.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco on new tires?
Before putting a 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter and suitable width, then confirm that the installed tire size matches the Bronco’s actual setup. It also helps to check suspension components, steering travel, and visible clearance around the fenders and inner wheelhouses.
After installation, keep an eye on inflation pressure, bead seating, and any signs of rubbing during turns or suspension movement. On an older full-size SUV, it is also wise to inspect shocks, springs, and front-end components that can influence how the tire sits and behaves. A short local test drive followed by a second visual inspection can catch fitment issues before longer trips.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ford Trucks Bronco should be inspected regularly even if the truck is not driven often. Check for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and gradual air loss, and keep inflation pressure consistent with the tire being used. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging, especially on a heavier truck-based vehicle.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the Bronco away from prolonged sunlight, heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, whether it wears all-terrain raised white letter radials or a whitewall setup. It also helps to move the truck occasionally so the tires are not parked in one spot for long periods while carrying the full vehicle weight.