1986 Nissan Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Nissan Trucks use nine sizes across the 720 and D21: 185/70R14, 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 215/75R14, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15. The 720 uses 185/70R14, 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15, while the D21 uses 195/75R14, 215/75R14, 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15. Rim width ranges where available run from 4.00 to 6.50 inches for 185R14, 4.5 to 6.5 for 185/70R14, 5.00 to 7.00 for 195/75R14, 5.50 to 7.50 for 205/75R14 and 215/75R14, 5.5 to 7.5 for 215/75R15, 6.00 to 8.00 for 225/75R15, 6.0 to 8.5 for 235/75R15, and 7.0 to 9.0 for 31X10.50R15.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct selection. Start by identifying whether your truck is a 720 or D21, then confirm whether it carries a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel before comparing widths and sidewall styles. Shared sizes such as 195/75R14 and 215/75R15 simplify the search, but several other sizes are tied to only one model line.

On a 1986 Nissan Trucks tire, 185R14 is a euro-metric radial size. The 185 indicates section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the code, this type of size is conventionally treated as an 80-series metric radial. For the 1986 Nissan Trucks range, 185R14 applies to the 720 and appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein.

A buyer comparing 185R14 to 185/70R14 should notice that the second size has a stated lower profile, while 185R14 follows the older metric convention. That makes the code important for preserving the intended proportions on a 14-inch wheel. If your sidewall marking is worn or your truck has changed wheels over the years, checking the actual mounted tire and wheel together is the safest way to avoid choosing the wrong profile.

No, 1986 Nissan Trucks models do not all use the same tire size. The 720 and D21 share 195/75R14 and 215/75R15, but the 720 also uses 185/70R14, 185R14, 205/75R14, and 225/75R15, while the D21 also uses 215/75R14, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15. All of those are radial sizes, but they split across both 14-inch and 15-inch rims and cover noticeably different widths and overall proportions.

That difference matters most when a truck has changed hands several times or has had wheels swapped during its life. A 1986 Nissan Trucks owner who assumes every 720 or every D21 used the same size can end up with the wrong diameter or an unsuitable rim-width match. Verifying the model first keeps the search focused and helps separate shared sizes from the ones that are unique to each truck line.

1986 Nissan Trucks tires cover a broad spread of sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwall appears in 185/70R14 and 185R14, narrow whitewall appears in sizes such as 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 215/75R14, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15, while wide whitewall is also offered in many of those same metric sizes. Truck-oriented sidewall treatments appear as RBL on 215/75R15 and RWL on 235/75R15 and 31X10.50R15.

For a 1986 Nissan Trucks buyer, sidewall style is usually less about whether the size fits and more about how the finished truck should look. A blackwall or raised-letter tire gives a more utility or sport-truck presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls lean toward custom, retro, or period-inspired styling. It is worth deciding on appearance early, because some sizes offer many sidewall choices and others are much more narrowly focused.

1986 Nissan Trucks are covered by BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Phoenix, Vredestein, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and American Classic, depending on size. Smaller 14-inch sizes such as 185/70R14 and 185R14 draw from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein, while sizes like 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 215/75R14, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15 center more on Coker Classic, American Classic, Maxxis, and Tornel. BFGoodrich also covers the more truck-oriented 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 options.

That spread gives owners several ways to match the truck's intended use and visual style. Some brands focus on classic whitewall presentation, while others bring more of a utility or all-terrain character. Once the correct size is nailed down, the brand decision usually comes down to whether the truck is being finished as a custom street pickup, a stock-style restoration, or a small truck that still sees regular road use.

On 1986 Nissan Trucks, BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 appears in 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 with truck-style sidewalls and S speed ratings, which carry a 112 mph ceiling. Whitewall radial alternatives in comparable 15-inch sizes come from Coker Classic, American Classic, Tornel, and BFGoodrich Silvertown, with narrow or wide whitewall sidewalls and load capacities that range from 1,742 pounds in 215/75R15 up to 2,271 pounds in 235/75R15 depending on the exact tire. The 31X10.50R15 KO2 also stands apart with a 7.0 to 9.0 inch rim-width range and a 2,270-pound load rating.

The practical split is straightforward: the KO2 family suits a more truck-forward look and a larger-footprint setup, while the whitewall radials emphasize classic styling. A 720 owner chasing a custom or restored appearance will usually focus on the whitewall side of the range, while a D21 owner looking for a taller or more aggressive 15-inch fitment may be drawn to the KO2 sizes. Wheel width is especially important when comparing those two directions.

Rim width requirements for 1986 Nissan Trucks vary by size. 185/70R14 fits 4.5 to 6.5 inches, 185R14 fits 4.00 to 6.50 inches, 195/75R14 fits 5.00 to 7.00 inches, 205/75R14 fits 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 215/75R14 fits 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 215/75R15 fits 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 225/75R15 fits 6.00 to 8.00 inches, 235/75R15 fits 6.0 to 8.5 inches, and 31X10.50R15 fits 7.0 to 9.0 inches. Those ranges are broad enough that two trucks with the same year and make may still need different tires if their wheels differ.

Rim width matters because it affects sidewall shape, tread profile, and how the tire sits on the wheel. Even when two sizes share the same rim diameter, they may not suit the same wheel width equally well. Before replacing old tires, measure the actual wheel or verify the wheel specification if the truck has been modified, especially on D21 applications that run the larger 15-inch truck sizes.

Most 1986 Nissan Trucks tires in these sizes are modern radials, and tube markings appear only on certain products rather than across every tire. 185R14 includes tubeless examples marked TL from Michelin, and 185/70R14 includes a tubeless Michelin XAS marked TL, while many other products in the 14-inch and 15-inch sizes do not carry a tube marking in the sidewall description here. That means tube status varies by product rather than by the size code alone.

A buyer should not assume that every tire in the same size uses the same tube setup. The wheel itself also matters, since some older wheel designs and restoration scenarios may still call for tubes even when a tire is tubeless-capable. The right move is to check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you are considering and confirm that it matches the wheel type on your 1986 Nissan Trucks.

Original 1986 Nissan Trucks wheels cannot be treated as universal across all nine sizes because the range spans both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters. A 14-inch wheel can only accept the 14-inch sizes, and a 15-inch wheel can only accept the 15-inch sizes. Within those groups, rim width also changes considerably, from as narrow as 4.00 inches for some 185R14 applications to as wide as 9.0 inches for 31X10.50R15.

That makes wheel confirmation the first setup check before tire shopping. If the truck still wears its factory-style wheels, the wheel diameter usually narrows the search quickly. If it has aftermarket or later-model wheels, confirm both diameter and width before choosing among the wider D21 and 720 15-inch options, since those sizes may share a diameter but not the same wheel-width comfort zone.

A 1986 Nissan Trucks should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the truck on a dry surface, maintain proper inflation, and move it periodically so the tires do not sit on one contact patch for months at a time. Because every size in this range is radial, storage flat-spotting is generally less severe than with older bias-ply tires, but long static storage can still harden the casing and stress the sidewalls.

For seasonal or collector use, many owners either roll the truck a short distance every few weeks or use stands to reduce prolonged loading. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than harsh dressings, especially if you are preserving whitewalls or raised-letter sidewalls. Good storage habits protect both appearance and ride quality, and they matter just as much on a lightly used truck as they do on one driven regularly.

Tires on a 1986 Nissan Trucks should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone. Collector and hobby trucks often accumulate miles slowly, so tread depth can look healthy even when the rubber has aged out. A sound rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread, with the DOT date code used to confirm actual age.

That approach is especially important on older trucks that spend long stretches parked and then return to highway use. Age cracking, internal deterioration, and long-term pressure loss can develop without dramatic visual wear. If your 1986 Nissan Trucks still carries tires of uncertain age, checking the date code before planning a road trip is more meaningful than looking only at tread depth or how recently the truck was restored.

Tires on a 1986 Nissan Trucks should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire has been run underinflated. Pressure should be checked cold, and the spare deserves the same attention as the road tires because older trucks often rely on a spare that has gone untouched for years.

A quick pre-drive inspection catches problems that may not show up during casual garage checks. On trucks that see occasional use, pressure loss and age-related cracking are often more common than wear-out. If you are running a tubeless-marked tire on older wheels or a larger D21 truck size on aftermarket wheels, also inspect valve stems and bead areas closely before setting out on a longer trip.

A 1986 Nissan Trucks 720 would have been a radial-era pickup, and every size associated with the 720 here is radial: 185/70R14, 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 215/75R15, and 225/75R15. That means the main originality question is not bias-ply versus radial, but which radial size and sidewall style match the truck's actual wheel and the way it was delivered. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions all exist across these sizes, but the exact original appearance could vary with market, trim character, and later owner changes.

For a restoration, the safest approach is to confirm the tire size against the truck's original labeling, period literature, or a marque specialist who knows Nissan mini-trucks from this era. Once the size is confirmed, sidewall style becomes the next authenticity decision. A custom street-truck build may intentionally choose a whitewall presentation, while a stock-style utility pickup will often call for a more restrained appearance.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1986 Nissan Trucks, even though these pickups do not always receive the same concours scrutiny as earlier collector cars. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the truck carries the right size family for the model, whether the wheel diameter makes sense, and whether the sidewall style matches the truck's intended presentation. A D21 wearing a size unique to the 720, or a stock-style 720 carrying an oversized truck-only D21 fitment, can stand out for the wrong reasons.

Appearance also plays a major role. A blackwall, whitewall, raised white letter, or raised black letter sidewall can change the period feel of the truck even when the size itself is acceptable. If the truck is being prepared for event judging, confirm the class standards first, then choose the tire that matches both the wheel and the level of originality the event expects.

For 1986 Nissan Trucks, Coker Classic Star Series and American Classic Radial overlap in several sizes but differ in sidewall treatment and some load-and-rim details. In 225/75R15, Star Series appears in both 2.75-inch wide whitewall and 1.60-inch narrow whitewall versions with a 6 to 7.5 inch rim-width range and a 2,094-pound load rating at 32 psi, while American Classic Radial uses a 1.6-inch narrow whitewall with a 6.00 to 8.00 inch rim-width range and a 1,874-pound load rating at 35 psi. In 235/75R15, Star Series carries a 3.125-inch wide whitewall and a 2,271-pound load rating at 32 psi, while American Classic offers a 3-inch wide whitewall with a 2,028-pound rating at 35 psi.

That makes the decision partly visual and partly dimensional. Buyers comparing those two families should look at whitewall width, wheel width, and the load-and-pressure relationship rather than assuming two tires of the same size are interchangeable in character. For a custom-oriented build, the whitewall width may drive the choice, while a truck carrying cargo or using a specific wheel width may push the decision in another direction.

Yes, 1986 Nissan Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their speed and load limits. The speed-rated examples here include H-rated tires in 185/70R14 and 185R14, which carry a 130 mph ceiling, V-rated Michelin XAS in 185/70R14 at 149 mph, and S-rated truck-oriented sizes such as 215/75R15, 235/75R15, and 31X10.50R15 at 112 mph. Those ceilings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds.

On an older compact pickup, the bigger highway limitation is often the truck itself rather than the tire. Suspension condition, brakes, alignment, steering components, and overall vehicle stability deserve as much attention as the sidewall markings. If the truck has been sitting, treat the first few drives as a systems check and make sure the tires are matched to the actual wheel and carrying load before sustained highway use.

Inflation pressure for 1986 Nissan Trucks tires depends on the exact size and tire chosen. Examples include 1201 pounds at 35 psi for one 185/70R14, 1323 pounds at 35 psi or 1323 pounds at 51 psi for 185R14 products, 1521 pounds at 32 psi and roughly 1400 to 1433 pounds at 35 psi for 195/75R14, 1532 pounds at 35 psi for 205/75R14, 1764 pounds at 32 psi or 1664 pounds at 35 psi for 215/75R14, 1765 to 1874 pounds at 32 to 50 psi for 215/75R15, 1874 to 2094 pounds at 32 to 35 psi for 225/75R15, 1985 to 2271 pounds at 32 to 50 psi for 235/75R15, and 2270 pounds at 50 psi for 31X10.50R15.

Those figures are tire ratings, not a one-pressure-fits-all setting for every 1986 Nissan Trucks application. Use the truck's factory recommendation as your baseline for normal driving, then compare it with the tire maker's rated pressure and load relationship for the exact tire you choose. Do not transfer a pressure from one size to another just because both happen to fit the same model line.

Before taking a 1986 Nissan Trucks on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and signs of aging around the bead and sidewall. Verify cold pressure, look over the spare, and confirm that the tire size on the truck matches the wheel diameter and width. If the truck uses a tubeless-marked tire on older wheels or has sat for extended periods, pay close attention to valve stems and any slow loss of pressure.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip picture on a mid-1980s pickup. Brakes, wheel bearings, shocks, steering linkage, and alignment can all affect how safely the truck uses the road at speed. Getting the tire condition and pressure right first gives you a dependable baseline, then the rest of the chassis can be checked with the same attention before a long outing.