1987 Dodge Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Dodge vehicles use thirteen radial sizes across nine model lines: 145/80R13, 155/80R13, 165/80R13, 175/80R13, 185/70R13, 185/80R13, 185/60R14, 185/70R14, 195/70R14, 205/50R15, 205/60R15, 205/75R15, and 225/50R15. Rim diameters span 13, 14, and 15 inches. Some sizes are shared across several models, such as 185/70R14 on the 600, Aries, Colt, Daytona, Lancer, and Shadow, while others are model-specific, such as 205/75R15 on the Diplomat and 225/50R15 on the Daytona.

That spread means a buyer should start with the exact model before narrowing to sidewall style or brand. Rim width guidance also varies by size where available, from 4.00-5.50 inches on some 155/80R13 products to 5.50-7.50 inches on several 15-inch applications, so matching the tire to the actual wheel is just as important as matching the year and make.

On a 1987 Dodge, 185/70R14 means a radial tire with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim diameter. That size appears on six Dodge model lines for 1987, making it one of the most common fitments in the range. Products in this size come in blackwall and wide whitewall form, and some carry H or V speed ratings depending on the tire.

Even though the code is straightforward, 185/70R14 should not be treated as universal across all 1987 Dodge vehicles. It is correct for many mainstream Dodge cars of the year, but not for smaller 13-inch cars, the Diplomat's tall 15-inch fitment, or the lower-profile 15-inch sport applications. The sidewall style and speed rating should be chosen to suit the car's presentation and intended road use.

No. 1987 Dodge models do not share one common tire size across the whole lineup. The Diplomat uses 205/75R15, the Omni uses 165/80R13, the Aries can use either 175/80R13 or 185/70R14, and sporty models such as the Daytona, Charger, Lancer, and Shadow branch into additional 14-inch and 15-inch sizes including 195/70R14, 205/50R15, 205/60R15, and 225/50R15.

That difference matters because Dodge sold everything from economy hatchbacks to more performance-oriented coupes in 1987. Two cars from the same year and make may need completely different rim diameters and profiles, so identifying the model is the first checkpoint. After that, compare the actual tire size on the car or the wheel diameter before settling on a replacement.

1987 Dodge tires come in a wider sidewall range than many late-1980s buyers expect. Depending on size, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, RWL, and goldline. The more mainstream sedan and compact sizes often lean toward whitewall choices, while several sport-oriented sizes such as 185/70R14, 195/70R14, and 205/60R15 also appear in blackwall form, with 205/60R15 additionally available in raised white letter style.

Appearance should follow the personality of the car as much as the size itself. A Diplomat or Aries often looks more natural on a whitewall treatment, while a Daytona, Charger, or sport-trim Lancer may call for blackwall or RWL styling instead. For show-minded owners, sidewall style is one of the quickest visual details judges and experienced enthusiasts notice.

1987 Dodge tire sizes are covered by BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Maxxis, Travelstar, Tornel, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Brand availability depends heavily on size. For example, 185/70R14 is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin, while 205/60R15 is covered by Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich, and 205/75R15 for the Diplomat appears from BFGoodrich, Tornel, and American Classic.

The brand decision usually comes after the size decision, not before it. Some brands focus on blackwall performance or touring-style radials, while others emphasize whitewall, goldline, or other appearance-driven options that suit collector cars. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall treatment, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility to narrow the best match for your particular 1987 Dodge.

For a 1987 Dodge using 205/60R15, Michelin Primacy 3 and BFGoodrich Radial T/A serve noticeably different roles. The Michelin is a blackwall radial in 205/60R15 91W TL form, with a W speed rating to 168 mph and a 5.5-7.5 inch rim-width range. The BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses raised white letters, carries a 205/60R15 90S marking, reaches 112 mph by speed rating, and also fits 5.50-7.50 inch rims.

The practical difference is character rather than fit on the wheel. A buyer choosing the Michelin is usually after a more understated blackwall look and a higher speed-rated touring profile, while the BFGoodrich leans into period aftermarket appearance with its RWL sidewall. Either way, the wheel width still needs to fall within the tire's approved range before moving ahead.

Rim-width requirements for 1987 Dodge tires depend on the size. Available guidance includes 4.00-5.50 inches for some 155/80R13 applications, 4.50-6.00 inches for 165/80R13 and 175/80R13, 5.00-6.50 inches for 185/70R13 and 185/80R13, 4.5-6.0 or 5.00-6.50 inches within 185/70R14 depending on product, 5-6.0 inches for 185/60R14, and 5.5-7.5 or 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/60R15 and 205/75R15.

Those ranges show why wheel measurement matters before choosing a tire by size alone. Two tires with the same nominal size can still have slightly different approved wheel spans depending on brand and series. If your wheel sits near the edge of the acceptable range, confirm the exact product's recommendation rather than assuming every tire in that size behaves the same way.

Some 1987 Dodge tire products are clearly marked tubeless, while many others simply appear as radial passenger-car tires without a separate tube-type marking. Michelin XAS in 185/70R14, Michelin Pilot Exalto in 185/60R14, and Michelin Primacy 3 in 205/60R15 all carry TL markings, which means tubeless. The rest should be matched to the wheel design and the specific tire's sidewall marking rather than assumed one way or the other.

That matters most when dealing with older wheels, restored rims, or cars that may have had wheel changes over time. A tubeless-design tire still needs a sound wheel and valve-stem setup to perform properly. If there is any doubt about the wheel condition or sealing surface, inspect the rim carefully and confirm the tire's actual sidewall designation before installation.

A 1987 Dodge should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone-producing electric motors, and standing moisture. Maintain normal inflation, keep the car on a clean surface, and move it periodically so the same section of tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Late-1980s radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but long static parking can still create temporary flat spotting and accelerate sidewall aging.

Owners who store a Dodge seasonally often benefit from a simple routine: clean the tires, set pressures correctly, and either roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading. If the car has collectible whitewalls, keep dressings mild and avoid harsh solvents that can discolor the sidewall. Good storage practices matter just as much as tread depth on low-mile collector cars.

On a 1987 Dodge, tire age is usually more important than mileage. Collector and hobby vehicles often accumulate miles slowly, so the common rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years of service and to treat about ten years from the date code as a serious replacement point even if tread remains. That approach applies whether the car uses a simple 13-inch compact size or a larger 15-inch sport or sedan fitment.

A tire can look usable and still be too old for confident road service, especially on a car that spends long periods parked. Check the DOT date code, inspect for sidewall cracking and hardening, and think about age before planning highway use or a long trip. For many 1987 Dodge owners, time, storage conditions, and heat exposure decide replacement timing more than tread wear ever will.

Tires on a 1987 Dodge should be given a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, nails or cuts, uneven wear, and visible bulges. Pressure retention matters too, especially on older wheels that may have corrosion or sealing issues after decades of service.

A compact Omni used for occasional local drives and a Daytona prepared for a highway event both benefit from the same habit: check the tires before the key turns. Add valve stems and the spare to the inspection routine, since those often get overlooked on collector cars. Catching a weathered sidewall or pressure problem in the garage is far easier than discovering it miles from home.

A 1987 Dodge 600 would have been fitted with radial tires from the factory, since radial construction was fully established in mainstream American passenger cars by the late 1980s. Within the 1987 Dodge range, the 600 uses 185/70R14. That size appears today in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, which gives owners some flexibility depending on whether the goal is everyday road use or a more period-minded presentation.

Factory appearance can still vary by trim, market, and dealer delivery, so owners chasing strict authenticity should compare surviving original photos, window stickers, or marque-club references before choosing a sidewall style. The key point is that radial construction and the correct size matter first. Once those are settled, sidewall treatment becomes the detail that helps the finished car feel right for its era.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Dodge shown in stock or preservation-oriented classes. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the model, whether the sidewall style suits the era and trim level, and whether the overall stance looks appropriate. A Diplomat on an aggressively low-profile tire or a sport-oriented Daytona on an obviously luxury-style whitewall can distract from an otherwise well-finished restoration.

For local shows, the wrong tire may simply look out of place; for stricter judging, it can cost authenticity points. Size, profile, and sidewall style usually have more visual impact than the brand name itself unless a class is exceptionally detailed. If the event has marque-specific standards, compare your planned tire choice against those rules before finalizing the car.

On several 1987 Dodge sizes, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis Classic Whitewall differ mainly in sidewall presentation and, in some cases, approved wheel span. In 175/80R13 and 165/80R13, BFGoodrich uses a wide whitewall while Maxxis uses a narrow whitewall, with both carrying the same 4.50-6.00 inch rim-width range. In 155/80R13, BFGoodrich keeps a wide whitewall with a 4.00-5.50 inch range, while Maxxis uses a narrow whitewall and a 4.50-5.50 inch range.

That means the choice is partly visual and partly dimensional. A wider whitewall gives a stronger traditional look, while a narrow whitewall feels more restrained and late-period. If your wheel width falls near the lower end of the range, those small specification differences can matter, so it is worth checking the exact wheel before choosing on appearance alone.

Yes, 1987 Dodge tire options can be suitable for highway driving when the tire size, condition, and speed rating match the car's intended use. Several sizes carry explicit speed ratings, including T to 118 mph, H to 130 mph, V to 149 mph, S to 112 mph, and W to 168 mph depending on the product. Those ceilings are comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds, but only if the tire is fresh, correctly inflated, and mounted on an appropriate wheel.

The bigger safety variable on many 1987 Dodges is often the car itself rather than the printed speed symbol. Brakes, suspension wear, alignment, and the general condition of a decades-old vehicle all matter on a longer highway run. Treat the speed rating as one part of the equation, then pair it with a realistic look at the car's mechanical condition and the type of driving you actually plan to do.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Dodge should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation first, with the tire's own maximum load and pressure figure used as a tire-capacity reference rather than a blanket running pressure. Several 13- and 15-inch sizes show maximum figures such as 959 pounds at 35 psi for 155/80R13, 1,069 pounds at 35 psi for 165/80R13, 1,179 pounds at 35 psi for 175/80R13, 1,323 pounds at 35 psi for some 185/80R13 tires, 1,301 pounds at 35 psi for some 205/60R15 tires, and 1,598 pounds at 35 psi for some 205/75R15 tires.

Those numbers should not be transferred from one size to another or used to inflate every 1987 Dodge to the same setting. The right operating pressure depends on the specific car, axle loading, and the tire fitted. If the car still has its factory placard or owner's manual, use that as the starting point, then fine-tune only within the tire maker's approved limits.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Dodge, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressures and confirm that the spare is usable. Pay attention to valve stems and the bead area on older wheels, since age-related leaks often begin there. On cars using lower-profile 14- or 15-inch performance sizes, also look closely for impact damage from potholes or curb contact.

Tires are only one part of a sensible pre-trip check on a late-1980s collector Dodge. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, belts, hoses, and lights deserve the same attention before leaving home. A quick inspection the night before a trip can uncover a weather-checked sidewall or slow leak early enough to change plans before it becomes a roadside problem.