The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 sits in the final years of GMC’s long-running GMT400 heavy-duty lineup, a truck known for serious work capability and straightforward mechanical toughness. Whether kept as a working one-ton pickup or maintained as a clean late-1990s hauler, tire fitment matters because this model uses two different 16-inch radial sizes depending on configuration. Single-rear-wheel trucks use 245/75R16, while dual-rear-wheel applications use 225/75R16 at the front and rear. Available choices stay focused and practical, with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires in raised white letter form. The key is matching the exact truck setup before comparing load capacity, rim-width range, and overall stance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel configuration. Both sizes are radial tires for 16-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Once that is settled, the choice becomes much more straightforward because each size has a specific role on the truck.
245/75R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500, this size is used on single-rear-wheel Sierra SL, SLE, and SLT models, making it the fitment tied to the standard one-ton pickup setup rather than dual-rear-wheel use. The available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 option features raised white letters and an all-terrain presentation. This size is the one to evaluate when the truck retains its SRW wheel package and you want to preserve the proper 16-inch fitment profile.
Fit(s): Sierra SL (DRW) Front, Sierra SL (DRW) Rear, Sierra SLE (DRW) Front, Sierra SLE (DRW) Rear, Sierra SLT (DRW) Front, and Sierra SLT (DRW) Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/75R16 is also a metric radial size, with 225 representing nominal section width in millimeters, 75 giving the aspect ratio, R marking radial construction, and 16 showing rim diameter in inches. On the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500, this size is used on dual-rear-wheel Sierra SL, SLE, and SLT applications, covering both front and rear positions in the DRW setup. BFGoodrich offers this size in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter styling. This is the size to confirm when the truck has the dually configuration, where wheel width and clearance need to match the narrower tire format used on the heavier-duty arrangement.
Sub-model fitment for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 depends mainly on whether the truck is single rear wheel or dual rear wheel. Trim level does not change the basic tire choice, but the DRW setup uses a different size than the standard SRW truck, so confirming the exact configuration is essential.
1
1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SL
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SL uses the 245/75R16 radial size on its 16-inch wheel setup. That makes tire selection relatively straightforward, with the main focus shifting to load capacity, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of tread and sidewall presentation you want on an SRW truck.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SL (DRW) Front uses the 225/75R16 radial size as part of the dual-rear-wheel configuration. Tire selection should stay centered on the narrower dually fitment and on verifying that the wheel setup still matches the intended front-position size.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SL (DRW) Rear also uses 225/75R16 radial tires on 16-inch wheels. That keeps the rear dually fitment consistent with the DRW arrangement, so the important step is maintaining the correct size and checking clearance between duals and wheel hardware.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLE uses the 245/75R16 radial tire size in single-rear-wheel form. For this sub-model, the decision centers less on fitment variety and more on choosing a tire that suits the truck’s working role, wheel width, and preferred appearance.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLE (DRW) Front uses the 225/75R16 radial size rather than the wider SRW fitment. That means the tire choice should reflect the dually wheel package first, with attention paid to proper 16-inch wheel compatibility before comparing tire features.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLE (DRW) Rear uses the same 225/75R16 radial size found on the DRW front position. Keeping the correct dually size matters here because rear wheel spacing, load support, and overall clearance are more sensitive than on a single-rear-wheel truck.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLT uses 245/75R16 radial tires in its single-rear-wheel configuration. That places the emphasis on selecting the right tire within that size, including sidewall style, load capability, and wheel-width compatibility for a properly set up SRW truck.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLT (DRW) Front uses the 225/75R16 radial fitment associated with the dually setup. Tire selection should begin with that narrower DRW size and then move to practical checks such as wheel match, condition, and intended use.
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLT (DRW) Rear uses 225/75R16 radial tires on 16-inch wheels as part of the rear dual arrangement. That makes preserving the proper size especially important, since rear dually spacing and tire-to-tire clearance should be confirmed before road 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 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 are focused on practical heavy-duty use, with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires offered in both 245/75R16 and 225/75R16. Each uses radial construction, raised white letter sidewalls, and size-specific rim-width and load-capacity specifications worth comparing.
Owners of a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 usually need to sort out SRW versus DRW tire sizing first, then compare wheel fitment, load-carrying specs, sidewall style, and maintenance checks before putting a heavy-duty truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
A 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 uses either 245/75R16 or 225/75R16, both in radial construction on 16-inch wheels. The 245/75R16 size belongs to single-rear-wheel Sierra SL, SLE, and SLT models, while 225/75R16 is used on dual-rear-wheel Sierra SL, SLE, and SLT front and rear positions.
The important next step is identifying whether the truck is SRW or DRW before choosing a tire. Those two sizes are tied to different wheel setups, so selecting by model name alone is not enough if the truck has had wheel changes or other modifications during its service life.
What size rim does a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 use a 16-inch rim diameter. That applies to 245/75R16 on single-rear-wheel models and to 225/75R16 on dual-rear-wheel versions, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire widths differ by configuration.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a one-ton truck. Wheel width still matters, especially because the 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 options have different rim-width ranges, so it is worth confirming the actual wheel size and setup before comparing tread style, load capacity, or tire series.
Why does the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 have more than one tire size?
The 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 has more than one tire size because the lineup includes both single-rear-wheel and dual-rear-wheel configurations. Single-rear-wheel Sierra SL, SLE, and SLT trucks use 245/75R16, while dual-rear-wheel front and rear positions use the narrower 225/75R16 size.
That difference is tied to the truck’s wheel arrangement rather than trim alone. A buyer should verify whether the truck still has its original SRW or DRW setup, since a dually-specific wheel package changes the proper tire size and affects spacing, clearance, and the kind of replacement tire that makes sense.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/75R16 tire for a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
For a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 that uses 245/75R16, the main considerations are confirming the truck is a single-rear-wheel model, staying with the correct 16-inch fitment, and comparing the tire’s working specifications. In the available lineup, BFGoodrich offers this size in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 with a 3,042-pound maximum load capacity at 80 psi.
Rim-width compatibility also matters because this tire size is paired with a 6.5- to 8.0-inch wheel range. Beyond fitment, think about how the truck is actually used, since tread style, sidewall appearance, and load-carrying needs often matter more on a heavy-duty pickup than simply choosing any tire with the same size code.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 tires?
The available tires for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 use an RWL sidewall style, meaning raised white letters. That applies to both 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 options in the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, giving the truck a late-1990s light-truck appearance rather than a plain blackwall presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the required size, but it can change the truck’s overall look. On a K3500 that is kept close to its period character, raised white letters can suit the era well, while the more important technical checks remain wheel compatibility, correct SRW or DRW sizing, and load support.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
BFGoodrich is the brand available for the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 in the current product range for both 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 sizes. The tire series offered is the All-Terrain T/A KO2, a radial light-truck tire with raised white letter styling in each applicable size.
Since the brand choice is focused rather than broad, selection comes down to matching the correct size to the truck’s configuration and then reviewing the supporting details for that size. Pay attention to rim-width range, maximum load rating at its stated pressure, and whether the truck is set up as SRW or DRW before making a final choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
A period-style 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 should start with the correct size and configuration: 245/75R16 for single-rear-wheel trucks or 225/75R16 for dual-rear-wheel models. Because this truck is from the late 1990s and uses modern radial sizing, keeping the proper metric radial format is an important part of preserving its original visual character.
Appearance then comes down to details such as tread style and sidewall treatment rather than changing construction type. Raised white letter sidewalls can suit the era well, but exact originality should be checked against truck-specific references if that matters, especially on a carefully preserved Sierra trim or unusually original example.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
Tire construction has less visual impact here than it would on an older bias-ply-era truck because the 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 already uses radial tires as its primary fitment. The more visible appearance cues come from the tire’s profile, sidewall styling, and whether the truck retains the proper SRW or DRW size for its wheel arrangement.
A restored K3500 can look noticeably off if the tire size does not match the truck’s intended stance or if the dually setup uses the wrong width. Keeping the correct 16-inch radial format and selecting an era-appropriate sidewall presentation usually does more for authenticity than chasing cosmetic details alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 even when the tire size looks correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or conversions between single-rear-wheel and dual-rear-wheel setups can all change the wheel width, spacing, and clearance that the truck needs.
A modified K3500 should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width before replacement tires are chosen. On dually trucks especially, spacing between rear tires matters, while SRW trucks need enough clearance at the steering and fender areas, so the vehicle’s current setup is more important than assumptions based only on trim name.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 16-inch diameter and proper width for the chosen size. It also makes sense to look over valve stems, lug hardware, suspension condition, alignment-related wear points, and any signs that the truck has unusual clearance issues.
Tire condition checks should continue after installation with attention to air pressure, sidewall damage, and irregular tread wear. A heavy-duty truck places real demands on its tires, so a short initial road check for vibration, rubbing, or steering pull can help confirm that the chosen size matches the truck’s actual wheel and suspension setup.
How should 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 tires on a collector 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 be maintained?
Collector-use 1998 GMC Trucks K3500 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the truck if it spends long periods parked. Whether the truck uses 245/75R16 in SRW form or 225/75R16 in DRW form, aging, flat spotting, cracking, and slow air loss matter as much as tread depth.
Storage conditions also make a difference on a low-use truck. Keeping the K3500 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and dually owners should pay extra attention to inner and outer tire condition because those areas are easier to overlook during routine inspections.
