1986 Subaru Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Subaru Trucks vehicles covered here use one tire size: 185/70R13. That size applies to the 1986 Subaru Trucks Brat, and the available tires mount on 13-inch rims. Rim width guidance within this size ranges from 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the specific tire, so the tire size is shared, but wheel-width compatibility still needs to be checked against the exact product you choose.

That makes the year-and-make search simple, but it does not mean every 13-inch wheel is automatically the right match for every 185/70R13 tire. Before ordering, confirm your wheel diameter, measure or verify wheel width, and decide whether you want a blackwall, redline, or whitewall appearance. Once those points are settled, the Brat's fitment path is much easier than on a year and make with multiple tire sizes.

On a 1986 Subaru Trucks tire, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size code. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. That is a much more modern sizing convention than older numeric or alphanumeric bias-ply codes, and it reflects the compact-car tire standards common by the mid-1980s.

For a Brat owner, that code tells you the tire is meant for a 13-inch wheel and gives you a direct way to compare modern reproduction and specialty radial options. It also helps explain why products in the same size can still feel different: sidewall styling, speed rating, and rim-width range can change from one tire to another even when the core size stays the same.

Yes. The 1986 Subaru Trucks range covered here uses one tire size across the model lineup: 185/70R13 on the Brat. That means there is no split between different rim diameters or separate passenger-versus-truck sizing families within this year and make. The fitment question is straightforward compared with many collector vehicles that changed size from one body style to another.

Even with a shared size, buyers still have meaningful choices. A blackwall performance-style radial creates a different look than a redline or wide whitewall radial, and each tire may have its own rim-width recommendation or speed rating. If your goal is a stock-looking restoration, a period-inspired sidewall may matter most; if you want a sportier visual or driving flavor, another version of the same size may suit the truck better.

1986 Subaru Trucks tires in 185/70R13 are available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices come from Avon and Dunlop, while BFGoodrich offers both redline and wide whitewall versions in the same basic size. All of them are radial tires, so the sidewall decision is primarily about appearance and the kind of period statement you want the truck to make.

For most Brat owners, blackwall is the most natural visual fit because it aligns with the compact sport-utility character of a mid-1980s Subaru. Redline can add a custom or sporty vintage touch, while wide whitewall pushes the look in a more stylized direction than many owners expect for this era. Choosing sidewall style first is often the easiest way to narrow the field before comparing speed rating and wheel-width compatibility.

185/70R13 tires for 1986 Subaru Trucks are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop. BFGoodrich covers the redline and wide whitewall offerings in this size, while Avon and Dunlop supply blackwall radials with a more performance-oriented visual character. All three names have strong enthusiast recognition, but they serve slightly different tastes within the same fitment.

That brand spread is useful because it lets a Brat owner balance appearance with intended use. If your truck is being restored with a period custom flavor, BFGoodrich sidewall treatments may be the draw. If you want a simpler blackwall look with a sport-compact feel, Avon or Dunlop may make more sense. Comparing the exact tire's speed symbol, rim-width range, and sidewall treatment will usually settle the choice more than brand name alone.

Both the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet are available in 185/70R13 for 1986 Subaru Trucks, but they present the size differently. The BFGoodrich comes in redline and wide whitewall versions, carries a maximum load figure of 1,135 pounds at 35 psi, weighs 20 pounds, and fits 5.00- to 6.50-inch rims. The Dunlop is a blackwall 185/70VR13 with a V speed rating, a 1,047-pound maximum load figure, and a 25-pound weight.

That makes the BFGoodrich the more appearance-driven choice when sidewall styling is part of the restoration plan, while the Dunlop leans toward a sportier blackwall presentation with a higher stated speed category. The best option depends on how you want the Brat to look and which wheel width you are working with. Matching the tire's visual style and wheel-width range to the truck usually matters more than chasing one spec in isolation.

For 1986 Subaru Trucks, the 185/70R13 size spans more than one approved rim-width range depending on the tire. BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions fit 5.00- to 6.50-inch rims, while the Avon CR6ZZ fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims. All of these tires use a 13-inch rim diameter, but the width recommendation is product-specific rather than universal across the entire size.

That detail matters because a tire can be the correct size code and still be a poor match if the wheel is too narrow or too wide for that specific product. Before choosing a tire, verify the actual wheel width on your Brat rather than assuming every aftermarket or replacement 13-inch wheel is the same. Staying within the tire maker's rim-width range helps preserve proper tread shape, steering response, and sidewall behavior.

The 185/70R13 tires available for 1986 Subaru Trucks are presented without tube-type markings such as TT, and the fitment sits squarely in the radial passenger-car era where tubeless construction is typical. That makes tube use less of a tire-size question and more of a wheel-condition question, especially if the truck is running original or older refurbished rims. The tire itself should always be matched to the wheel's condition and sealing ability.

If your Brat still wears factory-style steel wheels, inspect the bead seats, valve stem holes, and inner rim surfaces before mounting new tires. A clean, sound wheel is essential to holding pressure properly with any tubeless radial. When there is any doubt about corrosion, damage, or prior repairs, a tire professional familiar with vintage wheels can tell you whether the wheel is suitable as-is or needs attention before the tire goes on.

Original 1986 Subaru Trucks wheels can be used with the available tire choices as long as they are true 13-inch wheels and their width falls within the requirements of the tire you choose. Every tire in this fitment family uses the same 13-inch rim diameter, so diameter compatibility is straightforward. The key variable is wheel width, because one 185/70R13 tire may accept a slightly broader range than another.

That means an original Brat wheel may work perfectly with several choices, but the smart approach is still to confirm wheel width before settling on a specific product. This is especially important if the truck has had wheels swapped at some point in its life. Factory-looking fitment and proper tire behavior depend on matching the exact tire to the exact wheel, not just matching the numbers on the sidewall.

A 1986 Subaru Trucks should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from heat, light, and long periods of sitting. Keeping the truck on a sealed floor surface or on barriers rather than bare dirt or damp concrete also helps preserve the tires.

Move the Brat periodically if possible so the same part of each tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. If the truck will sit for an extended season, some owners reduce strain with jack stands placed correctly under the suspension or chassis while keeping the tires lightly loaded. Good storage habits protect sidewalls, help the tires hold their shape, and make the first drive of the season less of a surprise.

Tires on a 1986 Subaru Trucks should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A collector vehicle can cover very few miles and still reach the point where its tires deserve close evaluation at five to seven years, with replacement strongly considered as they approach about ten years from the DOT date code. Rubber hardens over time, and that aging process matters even when tread depth still looks generous.

That is especially important on a Brat that sees occasional use, because long idle periods can hide age-related deterioration until the truck is back at speed. Check the sidewalls, tread blocks, and the date code on every tire, including the spare. If the truck is driven infrequently, making age-based tire decisions is usually more realistic and safer than waiting for the tread to wear out in normal service.

Tires on a 1986 Subaru Trucks should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, punctures, low pressure, and anything lodged in the tread. Because many collector vehicles see irregular use, a tire that looked fine a month ago may deserve another close look before the next highway trip.

A quick inspection routine is one of the best habits a Brat owner can develop. Check pressure when the tires are cold, make sure the valve stems are sound, and verify that the spare is still serviceable if you plan to travel any distance. Catching a small problem in the garage is far easier than dealing with a failed tire on an older vehicle far from home.

For a 1986 Subaru Trucks Brat, radial construction is the right starting point for original-type fitment because this was well into the era when compact Japanese utility vehicles used modern radial passenger-car sizing. The fitment here centers on 185/70R13, which matches that period of Subaru design and use. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and specification, so size, construction, and overall visual character matter more than chasing an unverified brand name.

If you are restoring a Brat for authenticity, begin with the correct radial size and then choose a sidewall treatment that matches the look you want to present. Many owners will prefer a straightforward blackwall for a stock-type appearance, while others may choose a more stylized period accessory look. For show-level originality, a Subaru marque club or original sales literature is the best place to confirm market-specific details beyond the base size and construction.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1986 Subaru Trucks, even though the Brat comes from a newer era than many concours subjects. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size is correct, whether the tire uses the right general construction type for the year, and whether the sidewall treatment fits the character of the vehicle. An obviously mismatched sidewall style or an incorrect overall fit can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

For many display vehicles, the biggest authenticity decision is visual rather than dimensional because 185/70R13 is the shared fitment. A clean blackwall radial often suits a stock-appearing 1986 Brat, while redline or wide whitewall choices read more as owner preference or period customization. Event rules vary, so if the truck is being prepared for judged competition, check the standards used by the hosting club before making the final tire choice.

The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ both fit the 1986 Subaru Trucks Brat in 185/70R13, but they target different visual priorities. BFGoodrich offers redline and wide whitewall versions, carries a 1,135-pound maximum load figure at 35 psi, weighs 20 pounds, and fits 5.00- to 6.50-inch rims. The Avon CR6ZZ is a blackwall radial marked 86H, weighs 19.31 pounds, and fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims.

For restoration-minded owners, the Avon's plain blackwall presentation may suit a stock-style truck more naturally, while the BFGoodrich versions are useful when you want a stronger period accessory statement. Wheel width can influence the choice just as much as style, especially if your Brat is still on narrower factory-type rims. Looking at appearance, rim-width range, and the truck's intended role together will usually point to the right direction.

Yes, 1986 Subaru Trucks tires in 185/70R13 can be appropriate for highway use when they are in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the wheel correctly. The available radials include H-rated products with a 130 mph ceiling and V-rated products with a 149 mph ceiling, which is well beyond the normal operating range of a Subaru Brat. In real-world use, the truck's age, braking system, suspension condition, alignment, and load state matter at least as much as the tire's speed symbol.

Highway safety on a Brat comes from the whole package rather than one number on the sidewall. Fresh tires, correct pressure, good wheel condition, and a mechanically healthy chassis are what make an older compact truck pleasant and predictable at speed. If the truck has been sitting, treat the first longer drive as a recommissioning exercise and evaluate the entire running gear before assuming it is ready for regular interstate use.

Inflation pressure for 1986 Subaru Trucks tires should start with the vehicle's factory guidance, then be checked against the tire's own maximum-pressure and load information where it is stated. In 185/70R13, some BFGoodrich versions carry 1,135 pounds at 35 psi, while the pressure figure should not be borrowed across every brand in the size. Maximum pressure on the tire is not automatically the same as the correct operating pressure for the truck.

The right approach is to use the Subaru recommendation as your baseline for normal driving, then confirm that your chosen tire is being used within its own rated limits. Pressure should always be checked cold, and all four tires should be set consistently unless the vehicle manufacturer calls for a front-to-rear difference. If your Brat is carrying unusual cargo or has wheel changes, revisit pressure with extra care rather than relying on assumptions.

Before taking a 1986 Subaru Trucks on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, abnormal wear, and proper cold pressure. Look over the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure the wheels are free from obvious damage or looseness. On a mid-1980s utility vehicle, tire condition is only one part of the readiness check, but it is one of the easiest and most important places to start.

A longer trip is also the right time to think about how the truck has been used recently. If the Brat has sat for weeks or months, take a short local drive first and watch for vibration, pull, or pressure loss before committing to highway miles. Pair the tire inspection with checks of brakes, fluids, lights, belts, and suspension so the vehicle is prepared as a whole rather than just on paper.