The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 sits in the era when one-ton GM work trucks had to cover everything from heavy hauling to dual-rear-wheel commercial duty. Tire choice on this truck is tied closely to configuration, because the R3500 appears with both modern radial sizes and a vintage-style 750-16 bias-ply fitment depending on sub-model. That means the decision is not just about diameter, but also whether the truck is single rear wheel or DRW and whether a traditional truck tire presentation or a modern radial setup better suits its use. A careful fitment check helps balance load needs, wheel compatibility, appearance, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model rather than a single universal fitment. All three sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, but the truck appears with both radial and bias-ply constructions, so the first step is confirming whether your R3500 is a DRW, Base, or SLE configuration before comparing tire style, construction, and product choice.
215/85R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 refers to section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500, this size is part of the DRW fitment picture and represents a modern radial-style truck tire format. Its practical appeal is straightforward sizing and a more contemporary construction than the bias-ply alternative. It is the size to evaluate when the truck has the correct 16-inch wheel setup and the goal is a radial fitment for a dual-rear-wheel application.
750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 7.50 designation referring to nominal section width in inches and the 16 indicating wheel diameter. On the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500, this size appears on DRW versions that use a traditional bias-ply truck tire format. Available choices include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles as well as series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Super Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. This size is worth considering when maintaining a traditional heavy-duty truck look or matching an existing bias-ply wheel setup.
235/85R16 is a metric radial size where 235 identifies section width in millimeters, 85 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter. On the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500, this size is used on Base and SLE models rather than the DRW configurations. The available product in this size is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling, giving it a distinctly modern truck appearance. This is the size to verify when the truck is a single-rear-wheel style setup using the standard 16-inch radial fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 because tire size changes with configuration. Base and SLE models use one radial size, while the DRW versions introduce a separate radial fitment plus a 750-16 bias-ply option on the same 16-inch wheel diameter.
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1991 GMC Trucks R3500 (DRW)
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 (DRW) uses either 215/85R16 radial or 750-16 bias-ply tires. That makes construction choice part of the decision, so wheel setup, intended use, and whether the truck is being kept in a more traditional heavy-duty presentation should all be checked before selecting tires.
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 Base uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Tire selection here is more straightforward, with the main focus shifting from size identification to confirming wheel width, sidewall preference, and whether the truck still has its original-style wheel and suspension setup.
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 SLE also uses 235/85R16 radial tires. Since the fitment stays within one primary size, the practical decision becomes choosing the tire that matches the truck's road use, wheel dimensions, and preferred appearance rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 SLE (DRW) shares the same dual-fitment pattern as the other DRW version, using 215/85R16 radial or 750-16 bias-ply tires. That means this sub-model also calls for close attention to construction type, wheel compatibility, and the kind of truck use or restoration style the owner wants to preserve.
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 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 Tires for Sale
Available R3500 tire choices center on 750-16 bias-ply products and a 235/85R16 radial option. The mix includes Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles across classic bias-ply, military-truck, highway, traction, and all-terrain series.
R3500 tire questions usually come down to identifying the right sub-model first, then sorting out 16-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a one-ton truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
The 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 uses 215/85R16, 750-16, or 235/85R16 depending on the exact sub-model. DRW versions use 215/85R16 radial or 750-16 bias-ply tires, while the Base and SLE models use 235/85R16 radial tires.
The key step is matching the tire to the truck’s actual configuration rather than assuming one size fits every R3500. A DRW setup changes the fitment picture, and construction type changes with it, so confirm the sub-model, verify the wheel setup on the truck, and then compare the available tires within the correct size.
What size rim does a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 use?
All three primary tire sizes for the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 use a 16-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 215/85R16 radial, the 750-16 bias-ply size, and the 235/85R16 radial size used across the covered configurations.
Even with the same 16-inch rim diameter, width and wheel type still matter before a tire is selected. Bias-ply truck tires and modern radial truck tires are not chosen the same way, so the next check should be the wheel’s actual width, the truck’s rear-wheel configuration, and whether any aftermarket wheel or suspension changes have altered the original setup.
Do all 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Base and SLE models use 235/85R16 radial tires, while the DRW and SLE (DRW) versions use either 215/85R16 radial or 750-16 bias-ply tires.
That difference makes sub-model identification the first fitment step on this page. A single-rear-wheel truck and a DRW truck should not be approached the same way, even though all of the sizes share a 16-inch rim diameter, because the correct tire depends on both configuration and the construction type being used.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-16 tire for a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
A 750-16 tire for a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 should first match a DRW truck that uses the bias-ply fitment. Within that size, the choice can then shift to truck-oriented tread style, brand, sidewall treatment, rim-width range, load capacity figures where stated, and whether the truck is being kept in a more traditional presentation.
The 750-16 range includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices, plus classic bias-ply and heavier-duty truck series from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. It helps to decide early whether appearance, utility, or a period-style look matters most, then confirm the wheel width and overall vehicle setup before narrowing the selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500. In 750-16, available styles include blackwall and wide whitewall, while the 235/85R16 radial product uses raised white letters, giving the truck a noticeably more modern visual character.
That means appearance can change substantially even before tread pattern or brand is considered. A wide whitewall leans toward a restoration-oriented or specialty look, blackwall keeps a more utilitarian truck presentation, and raised white letters create a later-style performance-truck feel, so sidewall choice should match the truck’s intended character.
What brands offer tires for the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
Tires for the 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 are available from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. Brand availability varies by size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 750-16 bias-ply truck tires and a BFGoodrich radial option appearing in 235/85R16.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the type of tire you want rather than serving as a ranking by itself. Some options emphasize traditional bias-ply styling, some focus on military or highway truck use, and others bring a modern radial all-terrain character, so the correct size and intended use should guide the comparison first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
A period-style 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 usually starts with choosing the correct size and construction for the exact sub-model, then selecting a tire whose overall look matches the truck’s era and purpose. On DRW versions, the 750-16 bias-ply fitment presents the most traditional visual direction among the available primary sizes.
After the size is confirmed, the appearance decision becomes more specific: blackwall for a work-truck look or wide whitewall for a more specialized vintage presentation. Buyers pursuing exact restoration details should compare the truck against marque references or period photos, since period-style appearance and exact originality are not always the same thing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 as much as the sidewall style does. A 750-16 bias-ply gives a more traditional truck profile and presentation, while the radial sizes, especially with raised white letters, create a later and more contemporary look.
That difference matters most on a truck being restored for show, display, or a very specific era impression. Construction should still be chosen within the correct sub-model fitment, but once that is established, the buyer can use bias-ply versus radial as a deliberate appearance choice rather than treating it as a purely technical detail.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 even when the tire size itself is correct for the sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence how a 16-inch tire actually sits and clears.
That is especially important on an R3500 because the truck already has different fitment paths for DRW and non-DRW versions. A truck that has been altered should be checked for wheel dimensions, rear-wheel configuration, steering clearance, and fender clearance before moving from the catalog size to a final tire selection.
What should I inspect before driving a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure lug hardware seats properly, and confirm that the chosen tire matches the truck’s actual sub-model. Tire pressure, visible bead seating, and adequate clearance at the fenders and suspension also deserve attention.
A one-ton truck puts real demands on its tires, so it also helps to look over steering and suspension parts before the first longer drive. Any wandering, uneven stance, or rubbing should be addressed early, especially on DRW setups or trucks that have spent long periods parked and are just returning to road use.
How should tires on a collector 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1991 GMC Trucks R3500 should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related deterioration. Low-use trucks can look fine at a glance while still developing condition issues, so routine inspection matters even when mileage is limited.
Storage conditions have a major effect on a truck that is not driven often. Keeping the R3500 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional checks of pressure and visible condition are worth doing before short drives, seasonal use, or towing and hauling duties.
