1987 Dodge Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Dodge Trucks vehicles use 10 sizes across the full model range: 195/75R14, 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, 235/75R15, 31X10.50R15, 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 750-16. Dakota appears in both 14- and 15-inch fitments, D150 stays with 15-inch radials, Power Ram 50 and Raider use 225/75R15, Ramcharger uses 235/75R15, W150 uses either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15, and the D250/W250 heavy-duty trucks use 16-inch sizes including 750-16 bias ply. D350 and W350 center on 235/85R16.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for 1987 Dodge Trucks. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm whether the wheel is 14, 15, or 16 inches before narrowing further. Rim-width guidance also changes by size where available, with examples including 195/75R14 working across roughly 5.00 to 7.00 inches, 205/75R15 across 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 235/75R15 across about 6.0 to 8.5 inches, 235/85R16 across 6.0 to 7.5 inches, 750-16 across 5.00 to 6.00 inches, and 31X10.50R15 across 7.0 to 9.0 inches.

On a 1987 Dodge Trucks tire, 750-16 is an older numeric bias-ply truck size. The 7.50 refers to nominal section width in the traditional inch-based sizing system, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1987 Dodge truck range, that size belongs to the D250 and W250 and stands apart from the metric radial sizes such as 215/85R16 or 235/85R16 that appear on the same heavy-duty model family.

That matters because a 750-16 is not just another way of writing a modern radial size; it represents a different construction tradition and a different look on the truck. Buyers usually consider it when they want an older heavy-truck appearance, especially with blackwall or wide whitewall styling. Before choosing it, confirm the 16-inch wheel and check the wheel width against the tire's approved range, which runs about 5.00 to 6.00 inches on the examples available here.

No, 1987 Dodge Trucks models do not all use the same tire size. The compact Ram 50 uses 195/75R14, the Power Ram 50 and Raider use 225/75R15, the Ramcharger uses 235/75R15, and the full-size pickups split between several 15-inch and 16-inch sizes depending on payload class and drivetrain. Even within one model line, Dakota can use both 14-inch and 15-inch sizes, and W150 can use either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15.

That variation means model identification is the first checkpoint, not the last. If the truck has changed hands over the years, it is wise to compare the sidewall size on the current tire with the actual wheel diameter before ordering a replacement. On late-1980s trucks especially, trim level, suspension package, and wheel option could shift the fitment within the same basic nameplate, so treating every 1987 Dodge truck as interchangeable is the easiest way to end up with the wrong tire.

For 1987 Dodge Trucks D250 and W250 models, the main split is between the 750-16 bias-ply size and radial 16-inch options such as 215/85R16 or 235/85R16. The 750-16 keeps the traditional bias-ply construction and comes in period-looking blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while the radial sizes follow the more modern metric format used broadly on late-model trucks. If your truck is a D350 or W350, the fitment path here centers on 235/85R16 radial rather than 750-16.

Choose the bias-ply route when maintaining an older visual character matters most and the truck's use is more occasional, show-oriented, or historically themed. Choose the radial route when you want the late-1980s truck style most owners expect on the road. The key is not treating the two constructions as interchangeable simply because they share a 16-inch wheel diameter; verify the actual fitment for the model and the wheel width before making the final choice.

1987 Dodge Trucks tires appear in a broader range of sidewall styles than many buyers expect. Depending on size, available treatments include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, goldline, blackwall, RWL, and RBL. The passenger-oriented 14- and 15-inch metric sizes often lean toward whitewall or goldline looks, while 235/75R15, 235/85R16, and 31X10.50R15 also reach into truck-style raised-letter sidewalls. The 750-16 bias-ply size spans both blackwall and wide whitewall options.

For a late-1980s Dodge truck or SUV, the right sidewall treatment depends on the personality of the vehicle as much as the size itself. A restored street-driven Dakota or D150 may look right with a narrow or wide whitewall, while a W150 or heavier-duty truck often suits a blackwall or raised-letter presentation. Sidewall style changes the character of the truck immediately, so buyers who care about appearance should pick that visual direction at the same time they confirm the tire size.

1987 Dodge Trucks fitments are covered by a wide mix of brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Firestone, and Lester. Brand coverage changes by size: 205/75R15 includes BFGoodrich, Tornel, and American Classic; 235/75R15 includes BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic; 750-16 includes Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich; and 225/75R15 includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and American Classic. Some sizes, such as 235/85R16 and 31X10.50R15, are much narrower in brand choice.

That spread gives buyers room to choose based on the truck's purpose and visual style rather than assuming every size has the same market depth. A whitewall-focused half-ton or compact truck opens different brand options than a heavy-duty 16-inch application or an off-road-flavored W150. Once you have the exact size confirmed, compare brand by sidewall style, approved rim-width range, and any speed or load markings that matter for how your particular Dodge truck will actually be used.

Rim-width requirements for 1987 Dodge Trucks vary by size. Examples include 195/75R15 at roughly 5 to 7 inches, 205/75R15 at 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 235/75R15 at about 6.0 to 8.5 inches depending on product, 235/85R16 at 6.0 to 7.5 inches, and 750-16 at 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Compact-truck sizes also differ, with 195/75R14 commonly spanning about 5.00 to 7.00 inches and 225/75R15 typically running from about 6.0 to 8.0 inches.

Those ranges matter because the same nominal tire size can appear on more than one wheel width, but not on every wheel width. Before replacing tires on a Dakota, D-series truck, or W-series truck, measure the actual wheel or verify its original specification. That step is especially important on vehicles that may have seen aftermarket wheel swaps over the years. Staying inside the approved rim-width range helps preserve proper tread shape, sidewall behavior, and steering feel.

The available 1987 Dodge Trucks products do not show tube-type or tubeless markers that create a mixed fitment pattern within these sizes, so there is no buyer-facing tube split to sort through here. The range is dominated by radial truck and passenger sizes, plus the 750-16 bias-ply size for certain D250 and W250 applications. Tube use should therefore be confirmed by the wheel itself and by the exact tire sidewall marking rather than by assuming every older-style size automatically needs the same setup.

That is most relevant on heavy-duty 16-inch trucks and any vehicle still using older wheels with uncertain service history. A sound modern wheel and tire combination may not call for the same setup as an original wheel that has seen decades of use, repairs, or corrosion. When mounting replacement tires, inspect the wheel condition, valve stem area, and bead seat carefully, and use the specific product's sidewall markings and manufacturer guidance as the final authority.

Original 1987 Dodge Trucks wheels can only be shared across sizes when the wheel diameter matches the tire diameter and the wheel width falls within the tire's approved range. Some models stay within one wheel diameter but still use multiple sizes, such as D150 and Dakota on certain 15-inch setups, or W150 with either 235/75R15 or 31X10.50R15. The D250 and W250 also keep to 16-inch wheels while offering more than one tire size.

The important limitation is width. A wheel that accepts one 15-inch or 16-inch tire may still be too narrow or too wide for another size in the same diameter. That becomes especially relevant when comparing a standard metric truck radial to a flotation size such as 31X10.50R15, or a narrow 16-inch fitment to a broader one. Treat wheel diameter as the first checkpoint and wheel width as the second before assuming the original wheels can carry every size used by that model line.

A stored 1987 Dodge Trucks should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber quickly. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and inflation should be checked before the truck settles for a long period. If the truck sits for months at a time, rolling it periodically or supporting it to reduce constant load on one contact patch helps preserve tire shape, especially on older constructions.

That matters even on late-1980s trucks because collector use often means long idle periods between drives. Bias-ply tires such as a 750-16 are generally more prone to storage flat-spotting than modern radials, while all sidewalls can suffer from cracking if exposed to heat and ozone over time. A simple storage routine protects both appearance and drivability, whether the vehicle is a compact Ram 50, a Dakota, or a heavy-duty D250 or W250 kept for occasional use.

Tires on a 1987 Dodge Trucks should be judged more by age than by mileage. A collector-driven truck can have plenty of tread and still be old enough to need replacement, so a five-to-seven-year evaluation window is a sensible habit, with roughly ten years serving as a serious replacement consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the quickest way to confirm actual age.

That guideline is especially useful for trucks that spend most of their lives in garages, barns, or under covers, where mileage stays low and visual wear can be misleading. Heat cycles, long storage periods, and repeated inflation loss all age a tire internally as well as externally. If the truck is new to you, checking the date codes should be one of the first maintenance steps, since a good-looking sidewall does not guarantee a tire is young enough for dependable road use.

Tires on a 1987 Dodge Trucks deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before longer outings. Look for sidewall cracking, weather checking, uneven tread wear, bulges, cuts, punctures, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a truck that sees seasonal or low-mileage use, age and storage effects often show up before tread wear becomes the deciding factor.

A close inspection is even more important before highway trips or towing, since many older trucks spend enough time parked that small problems can go unnoticed. Check valve stems, inspect the spare, and confirm that tires are wearing evenly across the tread rather than carrying too much load on the shoulders or center. Catching a cracked sidewall, underinflated tire, or aging spare at home is far easier than finding it on the shoulder of the road.

A 1987 Dodge Trucks D150 would have been a radial-era truck from new, not a pre-radial vehicle that requires bias-ply construction for authenticity. Within this model family, the sizes used are 195/75R15, 205/75R15, and 235/75R15, all on 15-inch wheels. The exact original fitment depended on the truck's configuration and wheel package, so the most accurate path is to match the truck's surviving wheel, factory placard information when present, and any original paperwork still with the vehicle.

For restoration work, the key is to recreate the right combination of size, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance for the specific truck rather than treating every D150 alike. A late-1980s Dodge pickup can look very different on a goldline, a narrow whitewall, a wide whitewall, or a raised-letter truck tire even when the wheel diameter is correct. If the truck is headed for judged events, marque experts and original literature are the best sources for market- and trim-specific confirmation.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1987 Dodge Trucks, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction era, and sidewall presentation before they read any spec sheet. A D150 or Dakota wearing the wrong wheel diameter or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can look out of period even if the tire physically fits. On heavy-duty D250 and W250 trucks, choosing between a radial 16-inch tire and a 750-16 bias-ply can also change how the truck is perceived.

Authenticity is usually less about one universal answer and more about matching the truck's original character. A street-trim late-1980s pickup may look most convincing with a restrained whitewall or plain radial presentation, while a utility-oriented W-series truck may suit a more purposeful truck sidewall. Event standards vary, so owners building for concours or marque judging should confirm acceptable construction type and sidewall style with the club or judging body before committing to a final tire choice.

For 1987 Dodge Trucks D250 and W250 applications using 750-16, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply choices but they differ in presentation and rated figures. BFGoodrich appears in a wide-whitewall version with a maximum load of 1,850 pounds at 48 psi and a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim-width range. Firestone appears in both blackwall and wide-whitewall forms, with a maximum load of 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and the same 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

That means the decision is partly visual and partly about the exact specification you want to run. Firestone gives the buyer a more utilitarian blackwall path or a whitewall version in the same construction family, while BFGoodrich leans toward a higher stated load-and-pressure figure in the wide-whitewall form. Since both are older-style bias-ply tires in the same nominal size, confirm the truck's intended use, the desired appearance, and the wheel width before choosing between them.

1987 Dodge Trucks tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the size, load capacity, inflation, and overall condition match the truck's needs. Several truck-oriented radial examples here carry an S speed rating, which is rated up to 112 mph, including 235/75R15, 215/75R15, 235/85R16, and 31X10.50R15 in BFGoodrich form. Other sizes do not always show a speed symbol, and the 750-16 bias-ply option belongs to a different construction tradition than the late-model radials used across most of the 1987 Dodge truck range.

In real use, the truck's own age, suspension condition, braking system, steering play, and loading practice usually matter more than whether the tire's speed ceiling is theoretically high. A well-maintained Dakota or D-series truck on the correct radial tire can be entirely comfortable at normal road speeds, while an older heavy-duty truck on bias-ply tires may call for a more deliberate pace. Safe highway use starts with a fresh, properly inflated tire in the correct size and ends with the whole vehicle being roadworthy.

Inflation pressure for 1987 Dodge Trucks tires should not be copied from one size to another. The tire examples here span a broad range, from passenger-style radials such as 195/75R15 at 1,477 pounds at 32 psi and 205/75R15 at 1,598 pounds at 35 psi, to heavier truck sizes such as 235/75R15 at up to 1,985 pounds at 50 psi, 235/85R16 at 3,042 pounds at 80 psi, and 750-16 at 1,660 pounds at 40 psi or 1,850 pounds at 48 psi depending on product.

The right approach is to use the vehicle's original factory recommendation as the starting point for the specific model and loading condition, then compare that against the tire maker's rated pressure and capacity for the exact product you are using. A compact Ram 50, a Dakota, and a one-ton W350 do not belong in the same pressure conversation. Always set pressure cold, recheck after storage, and avoid assuming that a heavier-looking tire automatically needs the same inflation as another tire on the same truck.

Before taking a 1987 Dodge Trucks on a longer drive, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then confirm cold inflation pressure and verify that the spare is usable. Check valve stems for age and cracking, and pay extra attention to any truck that has spent long periods parked, because storage damage often appears just when the vehicle returns to regular road use. If the truck uses older heavy-duty tires, wheel condition deserves a close look as well.

A longer trip is also the time to think beyond the tire itself. On a late-1980s Dodge truck or SUV, bearings, brakes, shocks, steering components, and alignment condition all influence how safely the tires can do their job. If the truck is newly acquired or has not been driven at speed in a while, a local test loop is smarter than heading straight onto a long interstate run. Tire readiness is one part of road readiness, not a substitute for it.