The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 sits at the heavy-duty end of GMC's square-body truck era, a time when one-ton pickups still leaned on straightforward work-truck engineering and serious load-carrying capability. Whether kept as a dual rear wheel hauler, a preserved farm truck, or a restoration project, this is a vehicle where tire choice needs to match its purpose. The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses a 750-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Available choices range from traditional blackwall and wide whitewall styles to truck-oriented series from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. The right selection depends on whether the truck is being finished for period-style appearance, utility use, or careful road service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses one primary tire size: 750-16. That size is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent across the covered V3500 sub-models, including DRW and trim variations. The main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 750-16 tire best matches the truck's appearance, intended use, and load-focused tire series.
Fit(s): (DRW), Base, High Sierra, High Sierra (DRW), Sierra Classic, and Sierra Classic (DRW)
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
A 750-16 tire uses an older numeric sizing system in which the 7.50 figure refers to a nominal section width of about 7.5 inches, while the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500, this is a bias-ply truck fitment that suits the vehicle's traditional heavy-duty character. Within this size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall designs, along with classic passenger-style lines and more work-oriented truck and military-style series. Choosing among them comes down to whether the truck is being restored for period presentation, used for utility duty, or set up for general collector-road driving.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 sub-models because each one uses the same 750-16 bias-ply size. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, especially on trucks that may have seen wheel, axle, or service-use changes over time.
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1989 GMC Trucks V3500 (DRW)
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 (DRW) uses the same 750-16 bias-ply tire size as the rest of the covered V3500 range. Tire selection is mainly about choosing the right series and sidewall style for a dual rear wheel truck's appearance and intended use, while confirming the wheels still match the original 16-inch fitment.
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 Base uses the 750-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps the focus on selecting between traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, or more truck-oriented tread and construction choices rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 High Sierra shares the 750-16 bias-ply fitment used across this V3500 group. For this sub-model, the practical choice is whether the truck needs a more restoration-oriented appearance or a heavier-duty truck-style tire within the same size.
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 High Sierra (DRW) also uses 750-16 bias-ply tires. That makes tire selection more about matching the truck's role and visual style, while double-checking wheel condition, rim width, and clearance on a dual rear wheel setup before mounting a new set.
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 Sierra Classic uses the same 750-16 bias-ply fitment as the other covered versions. Buyers can focus on sidewall appearance, tire series, and service character within that size instead of trying to sort out a trim-specific tire size difference.
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 Sierra Classic (DRW) remains on the 750-16 bias-ply size. For a truck like this, the useful comparison is between period-style presentation and commercial-style tire options, with special attention to wheel setup and rear dual spacing.
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 V3500 Tires for Sale
Available 750-16 tires for the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA options across classic bias-ply and truck-oriented series. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styling, along with utility-focused tread lines and rim-width specifications suited to 16-inch wheels.
Common questions for the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 usually center on its 750-16 bias-ply fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, sub-model consistency, sidewall and series choices, and the inspections worth making before putting a heavy-duty vintage truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses a 750-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it applies across the covered V3500 versions, including Base, High Sierra, Sierra Classic, and DRW models.
That means the first step is usually not choosing between different sizes, but confirming that the truck still has the correct 16-inch wheels and the proper wheel width for a 750-16 tire. On older work trucks, wheel swaps and service replacements are common, so the actual wheel setup should be checked before selecting a tire series or sidewall style.
What size rim does a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 use?
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses a 16-inch rim with its 750-16 tire size. Available 750-16 tire options are built for that wheel diameter, and many of the products in this size are intended for a 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim width range.
Rim diameter and rim width both matter on a truck like the V3500. A 16-inch wheel is necessary for this tire size, but the wheel's width and overall condition should also be verified before mounting new tires. That is especially important on trucks that have been used commercially, converted for dual rear wheels, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.
Do all 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 sub-models all use the same 750-16 bias-ply tire size. That includes the Base, High Sierra, Sierra Classic, and the DRW versions of those truck configurations.
Shared tire size simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to inspect the truck itself. Trim level may not change the primary fitment here, yet wheel replacements, altered rear-wheel spacing on DRW trucks, and heavy-use service history can still affect which specific 750-16 tire makes the most sense for the vehicle's current setup and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-16 tire for a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses a 750-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the choice shifts to the truck's purpose, since this size is available in traditional passenger-style lines as well as heavier-duty truck and military-style series.
A restored or show-oriented truck may call for a different look than a V3500 being used for practical hauling or general road use. Sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and tire series character all matter. Matching the tire to how the truck will actually be driven is more useful than choosing on appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 tires?
The 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 has 750-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices tend to align with truck-duty and utility-focused tires, while wide whitewall options give the V3500 a more traditional and restoration-oriented presentation.
Sidewall appearance can change the truck's overall character even when the size stays the same. A work-oriented V3500 may suit a blackwall truck tire, while a carefully preserved or custom-finished truck may look better with a wide whitewall. The important step is keeping the correct 750-16 size and confirming the selected tire matches the wheel and service expectations.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
750-16 tires for the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 are available from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those brands cover a mix of classic bias-ply passenger-style offerings and more truck-focused lines suited to the V3500's heavy-duty character.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. It is more useful to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width fitment, and any stated load capacity figures that fit the truck's intended role. A V3500 built around show presentation may point in one direction, while a utility-minded truck may call for a different tire within the same 750-16 size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
A period-style 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 starts with the correct 750-16 bias-ply size. From there, the choice depends on how the truck is being presented, since this size is available in traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and more truck-oriented bias-ply series.
For a restoration-minded truck, tire appearance should work with the vehicle's trim level, stance, and intended use rather than relying on a one-style-fits-all approach. If exact originality matters, GMC literature, build information, and marque-specific references are the right places to confirm the most authentic look before choosing a sidewall treatment or tire series.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
On the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500, the primary fitment is a 750-16 bias-ply tire, and that construction contributes to the truck's traditional heavy-duty visual character. Bias-ply tires tend to preserve the older sizing style and sidewall presentation associated with vintage truck fitment.
That matters on a restored V3500 because tire construction influences more than road feel. It affects how the truck sits visually and how closely the finished vehicle reflects a period-style presentation. Even within bias-ply choices, sidewall treatment and tire series can shift the look from work-truck plainness to a more polished restoration appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500?
Yes. Even though the 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 uses a 750-16 tire size, modifications can still affect practical fitment. Wheel replacements, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, brake conversions, and dual rear wheel spacing changes can all influence how a new tire works on the truck.
That is why older one-ton trucks should be measured at the wheel and inspected at the body and suspension before new tires are installed. A truck that has been lowered, lifted, or updated for service use may no longer match its original setup exactly. Clearance at the fender, steering components, and rear dual arrangement should all be checked carefully.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, width, and condition, and make sure the tires are mounted in the proper 750-16 size. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel integrity deserve the same attention as the tires themselves.
A heavy-duty vintage truck also benefits from a broader road-readiness check. Tire pressure, visible clearance, steering travel, suspension condition, and brake function should all be reviewed before regular use or a longer trip. On DRW trucks especially, proper spacing and any sign of contact between the rear tires should be checked before putting the truck into service.
How should 750-16 tires on a collector 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 be maintained?
750-16 tires on a collector 1989 GMC Trucks V3500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss are all worth monitoring, especially on a truck that is driven infrequently.
Collector trucks often age their tires through time and storage rather than mileage alone. Keeping the V3500 away from prolonged sun, excess moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires' condition. It also helps to inspect the truck before each road outing, since long periods of sitting can reveal issues only when the vehicle goes back into service.
