The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 sits in the heavy-duty end of Ford’s eighth-generation pickup line, a period when one-ton trucks were expected to handle real work, towing, and chassis-duty use without losing everyday road manners. That matters when choosing tires, because this truck uses 16-inch radial fitments rather than an earlier bias-ply sizing system. On the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350, tire choice centers on either 235/85R16 or 215/85R16 depending on whether the truck is single rear wheel or dually. The available product mix also brings sidewall and series considerations into play. Before choosing, confirm the exact sub-model and wheel setup on the truck today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model configuration rather than a change in rim diameter. Both fitments are radial tires for 16-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the truck is a single rear wheel model or a DRW dually before selecting a tire.
235/85R16 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350, this size is used on single rear wheel configurations and suits the truck’s heavy-duty pickup role. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich offerings in the All Terrain TA KO2 series with raised white letter sidewall styling. This is the size to evaluate when the truck retains its standard single rear wheel setup and 16-inch wheels.
Fit(s): Custom (DRW), XL (DRW), and XLT Lariat (DRW)
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
215/85R16 is also a metric radial size, with a 215 millimeter nominal section width, an 85-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350, this narrower radial fitment is used on DRW dually versions rather than single rear wheel trucks. That distinction matters because dual rear wheel spacing and clearance can make the exact size more important than it might be on a standard pickup. Choose this size only after confirming the truck is a dually and that the wheel arrangement matches the original DRW-style layout.
Sub-model fitment on the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 is straightforward once the truck’s rear-wheel configuration is confirmed. Single rear wheel versions use one tire size, while DRW dually versions use another, so identifying the exact sub-model matters before comparing tires.
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1989 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom uses the single rear wheel fitment rather than the dually size. Tire selection here is mainly about staying with the proper 16-inch radial size and then comparing available tread style, sidewall presentation, and wheel compatibility.
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 Custom (DRW) uses the dually-specific tire size, which differs from the standard Custom model. That makes wheel arrangement the key checkpoint before choosing tires, especially on a truck that may have seen wheel or axle changes over time.
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 XL follows the single rear wheel fitment used on non-dually versions of the truck. The main decision is not between multiple primary constructions, but between the available tires within the correct radial size and intended use.
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 XL (DRW) uses the dually tire fitment rather than the wider single rear wheel size. Tire choice should start with confirming the dual-wheel setup and then checking clearance and wheel dimensions before moving to product selection.
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 XLT Lariat uses the same single rear wheel tire fitment as the other non-DRW models. That keeps sizing simple, leaving the buyer to focus on the right radial tire style, series, and wheel-width match for the truck’s current use.
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 XLT Lariat (DRW) takes the narrower dually tire size used on dual rear wheel F-350 configurations. Tire selection should stay centered on the DRW setup itself, since dual-wheel spacing can be affected by wheel changes and altered rear-end hardware.
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 F-350 Tires for Sale
Available 235/85R16 options for the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 currently center on BFGoodrich radial tires in the All Terrain TA KO2 series. That gives buyers a chance to compare features such as raised white letter sidewall styling, load capacity, and rim-width compatibility within the correct size.
Owners researching 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 tires usually need to sort out the right size for SRW versus DRW models, confirm 16-inch rim fitment, and compare radial tire choices with the truck’s intended work, towing, or collector use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 uses either 235/85R16 or 215/85R16, and both are radial tire sizes for 16-inch wheels. Single rear wheel versions use 235/85R16, while DRW dually versions use 215/85R16.
The key is identifying the truck’s exact rear-wheel configuration before ordering tires. A standard F-350 and a dually may share the same basic model name, but they do not use the same primary size. On a truck that has been modified over the years, check the actual wheel and axle setup on the vehicle rather than assuming the current tires are correct.
What size rim does a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 are built around a 16-inch rim diameter. Both 235/85R16 and 215/85R16 are 16-inch radial sizes, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire size changes between single rear wheel and DRW models.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width and the truck’s rear-wheel configuration still need to match the tire being considered, especially on dually trucks where spacing between the rear tires matters. A truck with replacement wheels should be measured and checked before choosing a tire simply by the size molded on the sidewall.
Do all 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 uses two different tire sizes across its sub-model range. Custom, XL, and XLT Lariat models use 235/85R16 in single rear wheel form, while Custom (DRW), XL (DRW), and XLT Lariat (DRW) use 215/85R16.
That distinction is more important than trim level alone. The deciding factor is whether the truck is a standard single rear wheel F-350 or a dually. Once that is confirmed, tire selection becomes much simpler, because the buyer can focus on the correct radial size, wheel compatibility, and the type of tread or sidewall presentation that fits the truck’s use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/85R16 tire for a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
Start with the basics: 235/85R16 is the correct primary size for single rear wheel 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 models, and it should be matched to a 16-inch wheel with compatible width. From there, compare construction, load capacity, tire series, and sidewall style in the available products.
An F-350 often sees very different use depending on whether it is a work truck, tow vehicle, or lightly driven collector pickup. That means the right choice may come down to how the truck is actually driven and how closely the current wheels match original dimensions. A tire that suits occasional cruising may not be the same one chosen for regular hauling duty.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 tires?
Among the currently available 235/85R16 products for the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350, raised white letter sidewall styling is available. This is a visual choice as much as a functional one, and it gives the truck a more assertive late-1980s light-truck appearance than a plain blackwall would.
Sidewall style should still come after size and wheel fitment are confirmed. Once the correct tire size is established for either SRW or DRW use, the sidewall treatment helps shape the truck’s finished look. On a restoration-minded truck, some owners prefer a more subdued appearance, while others want the period-style visual character that raised white letters can provide.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
Current product coverage for the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 includes BFGoodrich in 235/85R16. That option appears in the All Terrain TA KO2 series and combines radial construction with a light-truck oriented tread and raised white letter sidewall styling.
Brand is only one part of the decision. The truck’s exact tire size, wheel dimensions, intended load, and whether it is a single rear wheel or DRW configuration matter just as much. A buyer comparing options should look at the full product characteristics within the proper fitment rather than selecting a tire on brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
A period-style approach for a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 starts with the correct primary size for the truck’s configuration: 235/85R16 for single rear wheel models or 215/85R16 for DRW versions. Because this truck uses radial fitments, a restoration-oriented choice is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about size, tread character, and sidewall presentation.
Appearance decisions should work with the truck’s intended personality. A work-focused restoration may call for a straightforward light-truck radial, while a more presentation-minded build may place extra value on traditional late-1980s sidewall styling. When exact originality matters, compare the finished tire look against truck-specific literature, surviving examples, and marque references before making a final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
On the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction already aligns with the truck’s era. That means the visual effect of the finished tire usually comes more from the tread style, sidewall treatment, and overall stance than from choosing between radial and bias-ply construction.
For a restored truck, the wrong size can change the look more noticeably than the construction type itself. A dually on single-rear-wheel sized tires, or the reverse, can alter both appearance and fitment. Once the correct size is settled, details such as raised white letter styling or a more understated sidewall become the main appearance decisions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350?
Yes. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, axle swaps, and DRW-to-SRW or SRW-to-DRW conversions can all affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350. Even though the original fitments use 16-inch radial sizes, the truck may no longer match its factory-style configuration after decades of work or customization.
That makes it important to inspect the truck as it sits today. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, confirm the rear-wheel arrangement, and look for clearance around the front suspension, fenders, and dual rear wheel spacing where applicable. On a modified truck, the original size chart is the starting point, not the final answer.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire clearance on the 1989 Ford Trucks F-350. The truck should also be checked for proper inflation, even tread seating, and any interference during full steering movement or under load, especially if it is a dually.
A heavy-duty truck puts more demand on its tires than a casual cruiser, so the surrounding mechanical condition matters. Worn suspension parts, loose steering components, or bent wheels can affect how a new tire behaves. A short local test drive followed by a recheck of pressure and visible clearance is a smart final step before regular use.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ford Trucks F-350 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and irregular wear, and protected from long periods of sun, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a lightly driven truck can develop tire age issues that are easy to miss because mileage stays low.
Routine inspection matters more than calendar use alone. A truck that sits for long periods should have its tires checked before each drive, and any persistent air loss should be addressed promptly. Parking on clean surfaces, moving the truck occasionally, and storing it away from electric motors or generators can help preserve tire condition over time.
