1986 Dodge Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Dodge Trucks use nine sizes across ten model lines: 195/75R15 and 205/75R15 on D100 and D150; 235/75R15 on D100, D150, Ramcharger, W100, and W150; 215/85R16 on D250 and W250; 235/85R16 on D250, D350, and W250; 750-16 on D250 and W250; GR78-15 on Power Ram 50; 185R14 on Ram 50; and 31X10.50R15 on W100 and W150. Rim diameters span 14, 15, and 16 inches, so the correct starting point is always the exact model.

Within those sizes, rim-width ranges appear on many products and are worth checking against the wheel already on the truck. Examples include 195/75R15 on 5- to 7-inch rims, 205/75R15 on 5.5- to 7.5-inch rims, 235/75R15 on roughly 6- to 8.5-inch rims, 235/85R16 on 6- to 7.5-inch rims, 750-16 on 5- to 6-inch rims, 185R14 on roughly 4- to 6.5-inch rims, and 31X10.50R15 on 7- to 9-inch rims. That wheel check matters as much as the size itself before moving on to a specific tire.

On 1986 Dodge Trucks, 750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size used on the D250 and W250. In that older sizing convention, the first number is the nominal section-width designation and the second number is the rim diameter in inches, so this tire mounts on a 16-inch wheel. It differs from a modern metric radial code because it does not use millimeters or an explicit aspect ratio in the size itself.

That matters because 750-16 sits in a different visual and structural family than 215/85R16 or 235/85R16. Buyers usually choose it when they want a period-style truck look and bias-ply construction rather than a later radial character. Before selecting one, confirm that the truck is a D250 or W250 and that the wheel falls within the rim-width range used by the tire, which on available examples is 5 to 6 inches.

No. 1986 Dodge Trucks cover full-size pickups, four-wheel-drive trucks, a Ramcharger SUV, and compact Ram 50 models, so tire sizing changes substantially across the lineup. The smallest fitment here is 185R14 for the Ram 50, half-ton full-size trucks center on several 15-inch radial sizes, and heavy-duty D250, D350, and W250 models move into 16-inch sizes including both radial and bias-ply construction on some applications.

That means a buyer cannot identify the tire by year and make alone. The practical split is by model family first: compact Ram 50 and Power Ram 50, full-size D100 and D150, SUV Ramcharger, half-ton 4x4 W100 and W150, and heavy-duty D250, D350, and W250. Once the model is confirmed, the next question becomes whether there is one size only or a smaller group of sizes that still need to be narrowed by wheel and intended use.

For 1986 Dodge Trucks heavy-duty models, the choice between 750-16 and 235/85R16 applies to the D250 and W250. The 750-16 is a bias-ply size, while the 235/85R16 is a radial size also used on the D350. That makes this less about simple fitment and more about the type of truck experience you want, since both point to 16-inch heavy-duty applications.

A bias-ply 750-16 usually appeals to buyers chasing an older truck look and era-style construction, especially on a restoration-minded build. A 235/85R16 radial is more in line with later truck driving expectations and carries an S speed rating up to 112 mph on the BFGoodrich option shown here. If your truck still wears its original-style wheels, check width carefully before choosing, because bias-ply and radial products do not always share the same preferred wheel range.

1986 Dodge Trucks cover an unusually broad mix of sidewall styles. Depending on size, options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, Goldline, and RWL raised white letters. The whitewall-heavy 195/75R15 and 205/75R15 choices suit buyers leaning toward a more dressed-up classic look on full-size two-wheel-drive trucks, while 235/75R15 can go in either a classic whitewall direction or a more truck-oriented RWL format.

The 16-inch 750-16 also brings blackwall and wide whitewall choices, which can dramatically change the look of a D250 or W250 even when the size stays the same. On the compact Ram 50, 185R14 appears in both blackwall and narrow whitewall versions. For a 1986 truck, sidewall style is largely an appearance decision rather than a fitment one, so it is worth choosing the look that matches the truck's restoration theme before narrowing to brand or series.

1986 Dodge Trucks are covered by a wide brand mix across the available sizes. Coker Classic and American Classic cover 195/75R15, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and American Classic cover 205/75R15, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic cover 235/75R15, BFGoodrich covers 235/85R16 and 31X10.50R15, Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich cover 750-16, and Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein cover 185R14.

That spread gives buyers very different directions depending on the truck. A Ram 50 owner is choosing among import-flavored metric radial brands, while a D250 owner may be deciding between traditional bias-ply names and modern truck-radial offerings. It also means the right brand question starts only after you narrow the tire size, because the brand pool for a 14-inch compact pickup tire is completely different from the choices for a full-size 16-inch heavy-duty Dodge truck.

Rim-width requirements for 1986 Dodge Trucks depend on the tire size. Available ranges include 5 to 7 inches for 195/75R15, 5.5 to 7.5 inches for 205/75R15, about 6 to 8.5 inches for 235/75R15, 6 to 7.5 inches for 235/85R16, 5 to 6 inches for 750-16, roughly 4 to 6.5 inches for 185R14, and 7 to 9 inches for 31X10.50R15. Those ranges are broad enough that two trucks sharing the same size may still wear different wheel widths.

The safest approach is to measure the actual wheel before choosing the tire, especially on older trucks that may have had wheels swapped over the years. That step is particularly important when moving between a narrower metric fitment and a wider flotation-style tire, or when comparing a bias-ply 750-16 against a radial 16-inch size. Matching the tire to the wheel width helps preserve intended tread shape, load behavior, and overall drivability.

Tube requirements on 1986 Dodge Trucks depend on the specific tire and size. The 185R14 fitment includes tubeless-marked examples with TL sidewall notation, while other sizes here do not consistently carry tube markers in the size description. That means tube status can vary by product rather than by year and make alone, especially once you move across compact pickup, full-size truck, and heavy-duty bias-ply applications.

A buyer should confirm tube type from the exact sidewall marking and from the wheel being used, not just from the nominal tire size. Older wheels, restored wheels, and bias-ply applications can change the setup requirement even when the tire appears straightforward. If your truck will see regular road use, it is also wise to inspect valve stems, spare-tire condition, and wheel sealing surfaces at the same time, since those details matter just as much as the tire itself.

Original 1986 Dodge Trucks wheels cannot be treated as universal across all sizes because the lineup spans 14-, 15-, and 16-inch rim diameters. A Ram 50 tire and a D250 tire do not mount on the same wheel diameter, and even among 15-inch applications the width requirements change from narrower passenger-style radials to wider truck and flotation sizes. The correct wheel depends on the model and the exact tire size you intend to run.

Within a single model family, there is often more overlap. D100 and D150 sizes remain in the 15-inch range, W100 and W150 can use either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15 on 15-inch wheels, and D250 or W250 heavy-duty choices stay in 16-inch formats. Even then, wheel width still matters, so using the original wheel is only part of the answer. Measure the wheel and compare it to the tire's approved range before assuming a size interchange.

A stored 1986 Dodge Trucks should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that can age sidewalls prematurely. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and regular movement helps prevent flat-spotting during long static periods. That matters even more when a truck uses bias-ply tires such as 750-16, because bias construction is generally more prone to temporary flat spots than a radial after storage.

For longer layups, inflate the tires properly, move the truck occasionally, or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading if that suits your storage plan. Avoid petroleum dressings that can leave the sidewalls looking shiny but do nothing to improve preservation. Compact Ram 50s, heavy-duty D-series trucks, and weekend-use Ramchargers all benefit from the same storage habits: stable temperature, low UV exposure, and periodic checks instead of letting the truck sit untouched for seasons at a time.

On a collector-driven 1986 Dodge Trucks, tire age is usually more important than tread mileage. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat ten years as a serious replacement point even if the tread still looks deep. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting reference, since a low-mileage truck can still be riding on rubber that has aged beyond its safe service life.

That age-based approach matters because many 1986 Dodge trucks are used seasonally, not as daily transportation. A whitewall tire on a D150, an RWL all-terrain on a W150, and a bias-ply 750-16 on a W250 may all wear slowly yet age at the same pace. If the truck spends a lot of time parked, replace according to condition and age rather than waiting for the tread to disappear, and inspect the spare on the same schedule.

Tires on a 1986 Dodge Trucks should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, uneven wear, punctures, bulges, low pressure, and signs that the truck has been sitting too long on one spot. On tube-type or possibly tube-using applications, valve stems and any slow air loss deserve extra attention because leakage often appears there before it shows up in the tread area.

A quick visual walkaround is enough before a short local outing, but a truck headed for a show, cruise, or highway drive deserves a fuller check. Pay particular attention to older whitewalls, aggressive all-terrain sidewalls, and heavy-duty truck tires that may carry age-related stress differently depending on use. If one tire shows an issue, inspect the spare and the rest of the set as well, since collector trucks often age all four tires under similar storage and driving patterns.

A 1986 Dodge Trucks D100 sits well into the era when radial tires were standard equipment on mainstream American light trucks, and the D100 uses radial 15-inch sizes such as 195/75R15, 205/75R15, and 235/75R15. That means a radial construction is the correct starting point for an authenticity-minded restoration of this model family. The exact original size can still vary with equipment level and wheel package, so the truck's existing labels, manuals, and marque references remain important.

For a restoration, the next step is deciding how closely you want to match the truck's original visual character. A narrow or wide whitewall changes the look significantly, and an RWL truck tire sends the build in a different direction entirely. If your goal is judged accuracy, confirm the size and sidewall treatment against factory literature or a Dodge truck specialist before final selection, especially because 1986 Dodge Trucks span work-truck, utility, and appearance-oriented applications under one year and make heading.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Dodge Trucks because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice more than wheel diameter alone. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all affect whether the truck looks authentically restored or visibly altered. A D250 wearing a bias-ply 750-16 presents very differently from the same truck on a 235/85R16 radial, and a compact Ram 50 should not visually read like a full-size domestic half-ton simply because a different sidewall style was chosen.

The standard for 'correct' depends on the event. Some shows reward factory-style presentation, while others accept period-style upgrades that still fit the era. If you plan to enter judged events, verify what the club or organizer expects before deciding between whitewall, blackwall, Goldline, or RWL treatments. That extra research is worthwhile because tires are one of the first visual cues on any restoration, and a wrong-looking sidewall can stand out even when the rest of the truck is carefully finished.

On a 1986 Dodge Trucks D250 or W250, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 750-16 bias-ply tires, but they differ in sidewall presentation and load-and-pressure figures on the examples here. Firestone appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form at 1,660 pounds at 40 psi, while the BFGoodrich wide whitewall example carries 1,850 pounds at 48 psi. Both mount on 16-inch wheels and use the same general 5- to 6-inch rim-width range where that information appears.

That makes the choice partly aesthetic and partly practical. A blackwall Firestone suits a more work-truck appearance, while a wide whitewall pushes the truck toward a more styled or nostalgic presentation. The load and pressure difference also means you should not treat one product's inflation figure as universal for every 750-16. Match the tire to the truck's intended use, then confirm the exact sidewall marking and wheel width before committing to a specific brand or series.

1986 Dodge Trucks can be safely driven on the highway when the tire size, condition, load capacity, and speed rating match the truck and its use. Several highway-oriented radials here carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to 112 mph, and the 185R14 compact-truck fitment also appears in H-rated form, which corresponds to 130 mph. Those ceilings are higher than normal U.S. highway speeds, so on a well-maintained truck the larger concern is often overall vehicle condition rather than raw tire speed capability.

That said, tire age, inflation, wheel condition, suspension wear, and brake condition matter just as much on a 1986 truck as the sidewall code itself. A W150 on 31X10.50R15 all-terrains, a Ramcharger on 235/75R15, and a D250 on 750-16 bias-ply tires will all feel different at speed even when they are technically serviceable. Treat highway use as a whole-vehicle question, especially on older trucks that may no longer drive exactly as they did when new.

Inflation pressure on 1986 Dodge Trucks depends on the exact tire size and the specific product. Examples here include 195/75R15 at 32 to 35 psi depending on brand, 205/75R15 at 35 psi on several products, 235/75R15 from 32 to 50 psi depending on the tire, 235/85R16 at 80 psi on the heavy-duty BFGoodrich example, 750-16 at 40 or 48 psi depending on brand, and 185R14 examples at 35 or 51 psi where ratings appear. Those figures belong to those tires only and should not be transferred across sizes.

The practical approach is to start with the vehicle's original inflation guidance for the correct size, then compare it with the reproduction or modern tire's own rated pressure and load information. A half-ton D100 on a whitewall radial should not be inflated by the same logic as a D350 on a heavy-duty 235/85R16. If the truck carries unusual loads or aftermarket wheels, a Dodge truck specialist or the tire manufacturer can help you fine-tune pressure within the safe operating range.

Before a longer drive in a 1986 Dodge Trucks, inspect each tire for weather cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and correct inflation. Make sure the spare is usable, not just present, and check the age of every tire in the set. On compact and half-ton trucks alike, that quick inspection often reveals more than tread depth alone, especially if the vehicle sees intermittent use between shows, errands, and weekend drives.

A longer trip also calls for checking the wheel hardware, steering response, shocks, brakes, and any tendency for the truck to pull or vibrate. If the truck uses a product with a tube-type setup or a tube-sensitive wheel, inspect valve stems and air retention carefully before leaving. Tire condition is only one part of road readiness, but it is the part that carries the truck to every other system check, so it deserves attention first.