1980 Subaru Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1980 Subaru Trucks vehicles use two tire sizes: 165R13 and 185/70R13, and both apply to the Brat. Each size mounts on a 13-inch rim. The 165R13 products use a 4.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range where that specification is given, while 185/70R13 products span 4.5- to 6.0-inch and 5.00- to 6.50-inch approved widths depending on the tire.

That means the first checkpoint is not wheel diameter, since both sizes share 13-inch rims, but the wheel’s actual width and the appearance you want. The 165R13 is the narrower option, while 185/70R13 brings a wider section and a lower profile. If your Brat already has wheels on it, verify the stamped wheel size before choosing, especially if the truck has been modified over the years.

On a 1980 Subaru Trucks tire, 165R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 165 refers to a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the size, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series metric radial format.

That coding matters because 165R13 does not describe the tire the same way an older numeric bias-ply size would. It points you toward a relatively narrow radial tire that fits the Brat’s compact proportions well. When comparing products, check the full sidewall marking rather than only the shorthand size, since speed rating and tubeless marking can appear in the complete service description.

On a 1980 Subaru Trucks tire, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size with a written aspect ratio. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. That makes it a wider and lower-profile size than 165R13 while still fitting a 13-inch wheel.

For a Brat owner, that usually translates into a different visual stance more than a completely different fitment system. This size also opens the door to sidewall choices such as blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on the product. If originality matters, compare the truck’s current setup and period photos before moving from the narrower size to the 185/70R13.

Both sizes fit the 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat and both are radial constructions, so the decision is not bias-ply versus radial. The 165R13 is the narrower euro-metric option, while the 185/70R13 is wider and uses a lower 70-series profile. The 185/70R13 also has more sidewall-style variety, including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall.

Choose 165R13 if you want a compact, restrained look that feels in character with the Brat’s original small-truck personality. Choose 185/70R13 if you want a fuller wheel opening, a broader footprint visually, or a specialty sidewall treatment. Since both fit 13-inch wheels, your final check should be wheel width and the look you want the truck to present when parked and driven.

1980 Subaru Trucks tires are available in more than one sidewall style, but the options depend on size. The 165R13 is offered in blackwall form, while 185/70R13 is available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall versions. All of these are radial tires, so the style choice is mainly visual rather than a change in construction type.

Blackwall is the most straightforward match for the Brat’s compact, late-1970s and early-1980s economy-truck character. Redline and wide whitewall treatments create a much more customized look and can push the truck toward a period street style rather than a factory-stock presentation. If you are building for originality, compare your sidewall choice to photos, brochures, and marque-community standards before committing.

1980 Subaru Trucks tires are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Avon. The 165R13 is offered by Michelin and Dunlop, while the 185/70R13 is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop. Brand choice also overlaps with sidewall style and service-description differences, especially in the wider 185/70R13 size.

That means brand selection should come after you settle on the size and appearance you want. A blackwall Brat can be built around either size, but only 185/70R13 reaches into redline and wide whitewall territory. If you are comparing two products in the same size, use the complete sidewall marking, approved rim width, and intended look as the deciding factors rather than brand name alone.

Rim width varies by tire size and, in some cases, by product. The 165R13 radial tires use a 4.50- to 6.00-inch approved rim-width range where that specification is present. The 185/70R13 options span 4.5 to 6.0 inches on some tires and 5.00 to 6.50 inches on others, all on a 13-inch rim diameter.

That range is wide enough that two tires with the same nominal size may still prefer slightly different wheel widths. Before choosing a tire for a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat, confirm the wheel width stamped on the wheel or measured directly. That step matters most when the truck has aftermarket wheels or when a previous owner changed from the original-style wheel and tire combination.

A tubeless marking appears on the 165R13 Michelin products, while the other products are not all marked the same way in the sidewall descriptions shown here. That means tube use can vary by product rather than being assumed from the size alone. Both 1980 Subaru Trucks sizes are radial, but radial construction by itself does not answer the tube question.

The practical step is to check the exact tire’s sidewall marking and match that to the wheel you intend to use. Original steel wheels, restored wheels, and aftermarket wheels can each affect whether a tubeless setup is appropriate. If your Brat uses tubes, inspect the valve stems and tube condition as carefully as the outer tire, especially before seasonal driving or longer trips.

Both tire sizes used on 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat models mount on 13-inch rims, so wheel diameter compatibility is shared between 165R13 and 185/70R13. That common diameter is the reason owners often compare these two sizes directly. The remaining variable is wheel width, because the approved rim-width ranges are not identical across every product.

In practical terms, many original-diameter wheels can serve either size, but the wheel still needs to fall within the chosen tire’s approved width range. A narrow wheel may favor the 165R13 more naturally, while some 185/70R13 options call for more width. Confirm the wheel width first, then choose the tire that suits the truck’s desired stance and overall character.

A 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the truck periodically if possible so one contact patch does not carry the full load for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate standing better than old-style bias-ply tires, but long static periods are still hard on any collector tire.

If the truck will sit for an entire season, clean the tires, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and consider using stands or cradles if storage conditions allow. That is especially helpful if the vehicle is seldom driven and carries its weight in one place for extended periods. A little storage discipline preserves both the tire’s appearance and its road manners when the Brat returns to service.

On a 1980 Subaru Trucks collector vehicle, tire age matters more than mileage. A sound rule is to begin close inspection once a tire reaches about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best guide to true age.

That approach fits the way many Brat owners use their trucks: occasional drives, long storage periods, and relatively low annual mileage. Rubber can harden, crack, or lose flexibility long before the tread is worn out. If the truck is new to you, checking the date code should be one of the first maintenance steps, since an attractive tire can still be too old for confident road use.

Tires on a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat should be checked before every drive and inspected more thoroughly before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. If your chosen product uses tubes, include the valve stems and any slow-loss behavior in that inspection routine.

Collector vehicles often spend more time parked than driven, so problems can develop quietly between outings. A quick walk-around before each drive catches issues early, while a more deliberate check before a road trip helps prevent trouble once the truck is fully loaded and away from home. Pressure consistency, tread condition, and sidewall health are the three most important things to monitor regularly.

1980 Subaru Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and used within their service ratings. The 165R13 products carry H speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph, while the 185/70R13 range includes H-rated options at 130 mph and a V-rated option at 149 mph. In normal collector use, the Brat’s age, braking, suspension condition, and overall mechanical state are usually more limiting than the tire’s speed ceiling.

The key is not chasing the highest letter rating, but matching the tire to the truck’s condition and the way you actually drive it. A fresh, properly maintained radial from either size is far more reassuring than an aged tire with old rubber and unknown history. Before regular highway use, inspect date codes, pressure retention, and overall chassis condition so the whole vehicle is ready, not just the tires.

Inflation pressure for a 1980 Subaru Trucks tire should start with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the truck itself, then be checked against the tire maker’s sidewall information for the exact tire you choose. Within these available products, 185/70R13 BFGoodrich examples show a maximum load of 1,135 pounds at 35 psi. The 165R13 and Dunlop 185/70R13 products also carry load information in some cases, but pressure guidance should stay tied to the exact tire rather than borrowed across sizes.

That matters because tire size, load index, casing design, and intended use all influence the correct operating pressure. A Brat driven lightly around town may not need to be treated the same way as one carrying cargo or spending time at sustained road speed. Use the factory recommendation as your starting point, then verify it against the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the exact size and series on the truck.

Before a longer drive in a 1980 Subaru Trucks Brat, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check that the spare is usable, not just present, and make sure the valve stems are sound. If the truck uses tube-type fitment on the exact tire and wheel combination, watch closely for any pressure loss or valve-stem issues before departure.

Tires are only one part of the preparation on a forty-plus-year-old vehicle, so include wheel fastener tightness, brakes, steering feel, fluid levels, lights, and charging-system health in the same pre-trip routine. The Brat is a compact and durable platform, but age affects every system. A careful inspection before the trip is far easier than trying to solve a preventable tire or chassis problem on the roadside.