The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 comes from an era when GM one-ton pickups were expected to handle serious work, whether that meant hauling, towing, or supporting commercial duty with a straightforward rear-wheel-drive chassis. That matters when choosing tires, because this truck uses 16-inch radial fitments and the correct size depends on whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel configuration. Single-rear-wheel Sierra, SLE, and SLX models use 245/75R16, while the dually front and rear positions use 225/75R16. Available choices center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter sidewalls, so the key is matching the truck’s exact setup and wheel configuration before replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500, and both are radial tires for 16-inch wheels. The first step is identifying whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel Sierra, SLE, or SLX model, or a dual-rear-wheel version, because that determines whether it uses 245/75R16 or 225/75R16. Once that is confirmed, the choice becomes selecting the right tire within that size and verifying wheel compatibility for the truck’s intended use.
245/75R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500, this size serves the single-rear-wheel Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX configurations. Available tires in this size include a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling, giving the truck a more rugged presentation. This is the size to evaluate when the truck has the standard single-rear-wheel setup and 16-inch wheels.
Fit(s): Sierra (DRW) Front, Sierra (DRW) Rear, Sierra SLE (DRW) Front, Sierra SLE (DRW) Rear, Sierra SLX (DRW) Front, and Sierra SLX (DRW) Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/75R16 is also a metric radial size, with 225 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 75 identifying the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 16 for the wheel diameter. On the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500, this size is used on dual-rear-wheel Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX applications at both front and rear positions. The available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 uses raised white letter sidewalls and keeps the sizing consistent with the truck’s dually configuration. This size should be matched to a true DRW setup rather than assumed from trim name alone.
Sub-model fitment on the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 depends mainly on whether the truck is single rear wheel or dual rear wheel. Trim level does not change the basic pattern, but confirming the exact Sierra, SLE, or SLX configuration still matters before choosing a tire size.
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1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra uses the single-rear-wheel tire fitment rather than the dually size. Tire selection here starts with the standard 16-inch radial setup and then moves to wheel compatibility, load capacity, and the type of use the truck sees.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra (DRW) Front uses the dually tire size shared with the rear position. That means the important step is confirming the truck is a true dual-rear-wheel configuration and matching the tire to the 16-inch wheel and working setup.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra (DRW) Rear carries the same dually tire size used on the front of the DRW truck. Choosing a replacement means staying with the proper dually sizing and checking wheel condition, spacing, and overall rear setup before installation.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLE follows the single-rear-wheel fitment used by the non-dually versions of the truck. Tire choice is mostly about staying with the correct 16-inch radial size and selecting a tire that suits how the truck is driven and loaded.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLE (DRW) Front uses the same dually tire sizing pattern as other DRW C3500 models. The key is confirming the truck’s wheel configuration first, then selecting the correct 16-inch radial tire for that front dually application.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLE (DRW) Rear uses the dedicated dually tire size rather than the single-rear-wheel fitment. Replacement selection should focus on proper DRW sizing, wheel compatibility, and maintaining a consistent setup across the dual-rear-wheel arrangement.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLX uses the single-rear-wheel tire fitment shared with the other non-dually trims. That keeps the decision centered on the correct 16-inch radial size, along with rim-width suitability and the truck’s actual work or road use.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLX (DRW) Front uses the dually fitment, not the larger single-rear-wheel size. Tire selection should begin with confirming the DRW wheel arrangement and then matching the tire to the front position’s 16-inch radial requirements.
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 Sierra SLX (DRW) Rear uses the same dually size as the front on DRW versions. That makes correct configuration verification especially important, since rear-wheel spacing and proper dual-wheel setup matter just as much as the tire size itself.
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 GMC Trucks C3500 Tires for Sale
Available 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 tire choices center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radials in both 245/75R16 and 225/75R16. The main comparison points are size, load capacity, rim-width range, and the raised white letter sidewall treatment.
Owners of a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 usually need to sort out the correct tire size by wheel configuration first, then compare radial fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, load capacity, sidewall style, and basic road-use checks for a working one-ton truck.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500?
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 uses two tire sizes, both in radial construction on 16-inch wheels. Single-rear-wheel Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX models use 245/75R16, while dual-rear-wheel versions use 225/75R16 at both the front and rear positions.
The important step is confirming whether the truck is SRW or DRW before choosing a replacement. Trim name alone is not enough if the truck has been modified over time, so checking the actual wheel setup and the tire size already on the truck helps prevent ordering the wrong fitment.
What size rim does a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 are built for 16-inch rims. That applies to the 245/75R16 size used on single-rear-wheel trucks and the 225/75R16 size used on dual-rear-wheel configurations.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a one-ton truck. Wheel width also matters, and replacement tires should be matched to a wheel that falls within the tire’s approved range while still suiting the truck’s load demands and the actual SRW or DRW configuration.
Why does the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 have more than one tire size?
The 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 has more than one tire size because the fitment changes with the truck’s rear-wheel configuration. Single-rear-wheel models use 245/75R16, while dual-rear-wheel versions use 225/75R16 on the front and rear.
That difference is functional rather than cosmetic, so the right choice starts with identifying how the truck is set up. A C3500 that has changed wheels, axles, or body configuration over the years should be inspected carefully, since assuming the tire size from the badge alone can lead to a mismatch.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 tire?
Start with the correct size for the truck’s configuration: 245/75R16 for single-rear-wheel models or 225/75R16 for dual-rear-wheel versions. From there, compare radial construction, load capacity, approved rim-width range, and whether the tire’s tread and sidewall style match how the truck is actually used.
A work-oriented C3500 places more importance on wheel compatibility and carrying ability than appearance alone. It also helps to check whether the truck still has its original wheel setup, because aftermarket wheels can change the fitment picture even when the tire size itself looks correct at first glance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 tires?
The available 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 tires use an RWL sidewall, which means raised white letters. That look suits the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options offered in both 245/75R16 and 225/75R16.
Sidewall style does not change the required tire size, but it does affect the truck’s presentation. Raised white letters tend to give a late-1980s truck a more rugged, off-road-inspired look, so owners balancing work use, restoration style, or a cleaner visual approach should keep that appearance factor in mind.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500?
BFGoodrich is the brand offered for the 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 in the available 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 fitments. The tire series represented is the All-Terrain T/A KO2, a radial design paired here with raised white letter sidewalls.
Brand choice is straightforward in this case, so the real comparison is between the two sizes and their related specifications. Matching the tire to the truck’s SRW or DRW setup, wheel width, and expected load matters more than trying to force one size or configuration across every C3500 variation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 GMC Trucks C3500?
A period-style choice for a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 starts with using the correct size for the truck’s configuration, since a single-rear-wheel truck and a dually do not share the same fitment. Staying with the proper 16-inch radial size keeps the truck visually and functionally closer to its intended stance.
Beyond size, the available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters gives the truck a distinctly late-1980s and early-1990s light-truck character. Owners pursuing exact restoration details should still compare the truck against marque references or historical photos before treating any tread or sidewall style as original.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 GMC Trucks C3500?
On a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500, tire construction is already radial in the primary fitment, so appearance changes come more from tread pattern, sidewall treatment, and overall tire character than from choosing between bias-ply and radial designs. The available fitments keep the truck in a modern radial profile appropriate to its era.
That means a restored truck can still look right without chasing an older-style construction that does not belong to this application. Visual details such as raised white letters and the truck’s stance on the correct 16-inch wheels usually have a stronger effect on the finished appearance than construction terminology alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 even when the factory-style tire size seems straightforward. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, axle swaps, or a conversion between single and dual rear wheels can all change what actually fits the truck safely.
A modified truck should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, spacing, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement. On DRW models, dual-wheel spacing deserves extra attention, because fitment is not just about getting the tire onto the rim but also about maintaining proper working clearance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the truck’s SRW or DRW setup, and verify inflation is set appropriately for the tire. It is also smart to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and general condition of the brake and suspension components.
A short initial road test helps confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or steering interference. Since this is a one-ton truck, owners should also pay attention to how the vehicle sits under load and make sure the wheels and tires are suited to the truck’s actual hauling or towing duties.
How often should tires on a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 be inspected?
Tires on a 1989 GMC Trucks C3500 should be inspected regularly, especially if the truck carries loads, tows, or spends long periods parked between uses. Routine checks should cover tread wear, cracking, cuts, bulges, air loss, and any sign that the tires are wearing unevenly across the tread.
A collector or lightly used truck still needs attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage. Looking over the tires before longer drives, after seasonal storage, and anytime the truck’s ride or steering feels different can catch small problems before they become larger fitment or safety issues.
