1986 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Plymouth vehicles use 13 distinct tire sizes across eight models: 185/70R14, 155/80R13, 145/80R13, 185/60R14, 165/80R13, 185/70R13, 205/55R16, 215/55R16, 215/60R15, 205/75R15, 175/80R13, 185/80R13, and 195/60R14. The Caravelle uses 185/70R14; the Colt uses six different sizes; the Conquest uses 205/55R16, 215/55R16, and 215/60R15; the Gran Fury uses 205/75R15; the Horizon uses 165/80R13; the Reliant uses 175/80R13 and 185/70R14; the Turismo uses 185/80R13; and the Turismo 2.2 uses 195/60R14.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for a safe starting point on 1986 Plymouth fitment. You need the exact model, and on cars like the Colt, Conquest, and Reliant you may also need to confirm which wheel package is on the car now. Where rim-width guidance is available, it also changes by size, such as 4.00 to 5.50 inches for some 155/80R13 tires, 5.00 to 6.50 inches for some 185/70R14 tires, and 5.5 to 7.5 inches for some 205/55R16 tires.

On a 1986 Plymouth tire, 185/70R14 is a metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1986 Plymouth range, this size appears on the Caravelle, certain Colt applications, and some Reliant applications.

That makes 185/70R14 one of the more versatile sizes in the Plymouth lineup for 1986, but it still is not universal across all models. Product choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall radials, and some versions carry H or V speed ratings while others do not show a speed letter at all. If your car wears 14-inch wheels and falls within one of the three models that used this size, matching the sidewall look to the car's intended style is often the next decision after confirming the basic size.

No, 1986 Plymouth models do not use the same tire size. The full range stretches from compact 13-inch sizes such as 145/80R13 and 155/80R13 up to 16-inch Conquest sizes such as 205/55R16 and 215/55R16. Even within a single model line, fitment can vary: the Colt uses six different sizes, the Conquest uses three, and the Reliant uses two.

That variation affects more than appearance. It changes the wheel diameter, available sidewall styles, rim-width compatibility, and in some cases the speed ratings offered within that size family. If you are working from a title, registration, or memory alone, verify the exact model badge and compare the tire size on the car now against the wheel diameter before selecting a replacement. That extra step matters far more on a mixed-range year like 1986 Plymouth than on a single-model year with one standard fitment.

1986 Plymouth tire choices cover a broad sidewall range that includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and even goldline depending on size. Compact sizes such as 155/80R13, 165/80R13, 175/80R13, and 185/80R13 lean heavily toward whitewall treatments, while 185/70R13 and the Conquest sizes introduce sportier blackwall, redline, and RWL choices. The 205/75R15 used on the Gran Fury also offers traditional full-size sedan looks with whitewall and goldline options.

For a period-appropriate 1986 Plymouth, the right sidewall style usually follows the character of the model. A Gran Fury or a family-oriented Caravelle often looks more at home with a whitewall treatment, while a Conquest or sport-oriented Colt application can support blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling without seeming out of place. Appearance matters on collector cars, so choose the sidewall treatment with the same care you use when choosing the size itself.

1986 Plymouth tire coverage includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Travelstar, Maxxis, Tornel, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Brand spread changes by size: 185/70R14 uses BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin; 155/80R13 uses Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel; 205/75R15 uses BFGoodrich, Tornel, and American Classic; and 185/80R13 uses Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic. Some sizes, such as 185/60R14 and 195/60R14, stay narrowly focused around Michelin.

That means brand choice is really a size-specific conversation on 1986 Plymouth applications. If your car uses a common compact or mid-size radial, you may have more freedom to choose between whitewall and blackwall presentations. If it uses a narrower specialty size or a lower-profile sport size, the field can tighten quickly. Starting with the correct size first and then comparing brand character, sidewall appearance, and any visible speed-rating differences is the most efficient way to narrow the field.

In 185/70R14 for a 1986 Plymouth, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Michelin XAS approach the same size from different angles. The BFGoodrich version comes as a 2.25-inch wide whitewall radial with a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range and a 1201-pound load figure at 35 psi. The Michelin XAS appears as a blackwall 185/70VR14 88V TL with a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range, a lighter 18-pound weight, and a V speed rating that carries a 149 mph ceiling.

For a 1986 Plymouth owner, the practical difference is less about whether the tire fits the size code and more about the personality of the finished car. The Silvertown Radial leans toward a traditional whitewall presentation, while the XAS reads as a more European-style blackwall radial with a visible higher speed category. If your car's look matters as much as its dimensions, those sidewall and specification differences are often what decide the final choice.

Rim-width recommendations on 1986 Plymouth tires vary by size. Examples include 4.00 to 5.50 inches on some 155/80R13 tires, 4.50 to 6.00 inches on some 165/80R13 and 175/80R13 tires, 5.00 to 6.50 inches on some 185/70R14 and 185/80R13 tires, 5.50 to 7.50 inches on some 205/55R16, 215/55R16, 215/60R15, and 205/75R15 tires, and 6.00 to 7.50 inches on the BFGoodrich 215/60R15 Radial T/A. Some products within a size also have slightly different approved ranges.

That is why wheel measurement matters before you settle on a product, especially on a model like the Conquest or Colt where several sizes may appear plausible at first glance. A size can share the same wheel diameter yet still prefer a different rim-width band depending on the product. If your car has replacement wheels or a trim-specific wheel package, measure the wheel and compare it to the exact product's approved range rather than assuming every tire in the same nominal size fits the same rim equally well.

Most 1986 Plymouth tires here are radials without an explicit tube-type marking, and some are clearly marked TL for tubeless use, including the Michelin XAS in 185/70R14, Michelin Pilot Exalto in 185/60R14, Michelin SX MXX3 N2 in 205/55R16, and Michelin MXV3-A in 195/60R14. Other products in the same size families may not show a tube designation at all. Because of that, tube status can vary by product presentation rather than by the vehicle alone.

The wheel matters just as much as the tire when you make this decision. If your 1986 Plymouth still uses its original wheel, inspect the wheel condition and confirm whether the tire you choose is marked for tubeless use. If you are matching a reproduction-style tire to an older wheel or replacing only part of a set, check the sidewall marking on the exact tire and the wheel's sealing condition before installation instead of assuming all products in that size are handled the same way.

A 1986 Plymouth should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment, and on a clean, dry surface. Keep tires properly inflated during storage and move the car occasionally so the same section of tread does not sit under load for months at a time. Radials generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from heat, ozone, and inactivity.

For a collector-grade Caravelle, Conquest, Gran Fury, or other Plymouth that sees seasonal use, tire care during downtime matters as much as care on the road. A breathable car cover, moderate indoor temperatures, and periodic pressure checks help preserve both the casing and the sidewall cosmetics. If the car will sit for an extended period, some owners also use stands to reduce static loading, especially on vehicles with long storage cycles between drives.

On a 1986 Plymouth, tire age is usually more important than tread wear because many surviving examples are low-mileage collector or hobby cars. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the key reference for that age check.

A Gran Fury or Reliant that is driven only to local events can still be riding on tires that look acceptable but have aged out internally. Cracking, hardening, vibration, and loss of wet-weather confidence often show up long before the tread is gone. If you have just acquired a 1986 Plymouth and the age of the tires is uncertain, checking the date code is one of the first maintenance steps worth taking before any extended drive.

Tires on a 1986 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has been run underinflated. Pay attention to whether the tire is holding pressure from one drive to the next, and inspect valve stems closely since aging stems are a common weak point on collector vehicles.

That routine matters on the whole Plymouth range, but especially on cars that sit for long periods between uses. A Conquest with low-profile performance tires and a Gran Fury with taller sidewalls can both develop age-related problems that are easy to miss at a glance. A quick walk-around before departure, followed by a hand-on inspection of tread and sidewalls in good light, is one of the simplest ways to avoid preventable trouble on an older car.

A 1986 Plymouth Caravelle used 185/70R14 radial tires in the fitment covered here, and radial construction was already standard practice for mainstream American passenger cars by the mid-1980s. That makes a radial replacement the correct construction family for an authentic Caravelle restoration. Sidewall presentation can still vary, with both blackwall and whitewall choices appearing in this size depending on the look you want to recreate.

For a factory-minded restoration, the next question is usually not bias-ply versus radial, but which sidewall style and overall appearance best match the car's original market position. A more formal family sedan often suits a restrained whitewall or period blackwall better than an aggressively modern performance look. If you are preparing the car for marque judging, confirm market-specific appearance details with Plymouth literature or an era-specific club before making the final call.

Correct tire fitment matters on a show-quality 1986 Plymouth because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice more than just whether the tire physically fits the wheel. Size, construction family, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks right for its model and year. On a 1986 Plymouth, that can mean the difference between a tasteful whitewall on a Gran Fury or Caravelle and a more performance-oriented blackwall, redline, or raised white letter treatment on a Conquest or sporty compact application.

The practical takeaway is to match the tire to the personality of the specific model rather than treating every 1986 Plymouth the same. A tire that looks appropriate on a Conquest can seem out of character on a Reliant, and a taller compact size can look incorrect on a lower-profile sport package. If the car is being judged, event-specific standards from the relevant club or registry should guide the final details once the correct base size is confirmed.

For a 1986 Plymouth Turismo in 185/80R13, Maxxis, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, and Coker Classic all stay within the same basic radial size but differ in presentation and some specifications. Maxxis uses a narrow 0.625-inch whitewall with a 1323-pound load figure at 35 psi and a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range. BFGoodrich uses a 2.875-inch wide whitewall with a 1301-pound load figure at 35 psi and the same 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range, while Coker Classic's Star Series also uses a 2.875-inch wide whitewall and carries a 1323-pound load figure at 32 psi.

That means the main decision is visual character first, then smaller specification differences second. The Maxxis gives the Turismo a subtler whitewall look, while the BFGoodrich and Coker Classic options create a much more pronounced period-style sidewall. If your goal is a stock-looking compact hatchback, the narrow whitewall may feel more restrained; if the car is being restored with a stronger traditional visual statement, the broader whitewall options move the look in that direction.

Yes, 1986 Plymouth tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire's condition, speed rating, inflation, and the vehicle's mechanical condition all align. Several sizes carry visible speed ratings, including S at 112 mph, T at 118 mph, H at 130 mph, V at 149 mph, W at 168 mph, and Y at 186-plus mph depending on the product and size. The Plymouth lineup for 1986 is entirely radial here, which is a good match for normal modern-road use when the tire is fresh and correctly fitted.

In practice, the age and condition of the tire matter more than the theoretical top-speed ceiling on most surviving 1986 Plymouth vehicles. A Reliant, Caravelle, or Gran Fury is far more likely to be limited by age, suspension condition, or braking capability than by a modern radial's speed category during ordinary highway travel. Check the date code, inspect the sidewalls and tread, and make sure the rest of the car is equally ready before trusting any older vehicle on a longer highway run.

Inflation guidance for 1986 Plymouth tires depends on the exact size and the exact tire. Some examples include load figures such as 959 pounds at 35 psi for certain 155/80R13 tires, 1069 pounds at 35 psi for some 165/80R13 tires, 1179 pounds at 35 psi for some 175/80R13 tires, 1201 pounds at 35 psi for one 185/70R14, 1411 pounds at 35 psi for some 215/60R15 tires, and 1598 pounds at 35 psi for some 205/75R15 tires. Those are tire capacity references, not universal vehicle inflation instructions.

Use the original Plymouth owner's manual or factory placard as your starting point for vehicle inflation, then compare that to the reproduction or replacement tire's own rated-pressure information. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one 1986 Plymouth size to another just because the cars share the same make or era. The right pressure for a Conquest performance radial may differ substantially from what suits a Gran Fury sedan tire, even before you account for vehicle weight and wheel width.

Before taking a 1986 Plymouth on a longer drive, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, tread separation, embedded objects, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems closely, especially on older wheels or on cars that have sat for long periods, and verify that every tire matches the intended size for the model. On higher-speed applications such as the Conquest, confirming that all four tires are the correct size and rating matters just as much as checking basic pressure.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on a car of this age, but they are the one part that directly touches the road. After the tire inspection, it makes sense to look over brakes, belts, hoses, fluids, and steering components before committing to a trip. A few extra minutes in the garage can make the difference between a comfortable highway outing and a problem that could have been caught while the car was still at home.