1987 GMC Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1987 GMC Trucks vehicles use 12 distinct tire sizes: 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, 235/75R15, 31X10.50R15, LR60-15, 215/85R16, 235/85R16, and 750-16. The Caballero uses 205/75R14, while the compact S15 family mixes 14- and 15-inch sizes. Full-size half-ton R1500, Jimmy, and V1500 models stay mostly with 15-inch sizes, and the heavier R2500, V2500, R3500, and V3500 models move to 16-inch sizes, with the one-ton trucks also allowing 750-16 bias-ply fitment.

Rim width ranges depend on the exact size and product. Examples include 5.00 to 7.00 inches for many 195/75R14 and 195/75R15 products, 5.50 to 7.50 inches for several 205/75R14 and 205/75R15 products, 6.00 to 8.50 inches for some 235/75R15 versions, 6.0 to 7.5 inches for 235/85R16, and 5.00 to 6.00 inches for 750-16 bias-ply tires. The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough on a 1987 GMC Trucks search; matching the exact model and wheel diameter comes first.

On a 1987 GMC Trucks one-ton application, 750-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply truck size. The 7.50 portion refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. Unlike modern metric radials, it does not present width, aspect ratio, and construction in the newer alphanumeric style. In this year range, 750-16 appears on R3500 and V3500 models and represents a more traditional heavy-truck tire format.

That matters because a 750-16 does not carry the same visual character or road feel as a modern 235/85R16 radial, even though both fit 16-inch wheels. Buyers restoring a one-ton truck to a more period-truck appearance often gravitate toward the bias-ply size, while buyers planning more regular road use often compare it against the radial alternatives available on the same model family. Wheel width still needs to be confirmed against the actual tire you choose.

No, 1987 GMC Trucks models do not use one shared tire size across the lineup. The compact S15 series, Caballero, full-size half-ton trucks, Suburbans, three-quarter-ton models, and one-ton trucks all branch into different fitments. Even within a single family, the size can vary: the R1500 uses four different 15-inch sizes, the Jimmy uses three 15-inch sizes, and the heavy-duty R3500 combines 16-inch radials with a 750-16 bias-ply option.

That spread means a buyer should identify the exact model before narrowing down products. A 1987 GMC Trucks V1500 and a 1987 GMC Trucks V3500 may both be full-size trucks, but their wheel diameters, load-oriented sizing, and overall tire character are very different. If your truck has changed hands several times or has aftermarket wheels, verify the size currently on the vehicle and compare it with the wheel diameter before making a final choice.

On 1987 GMC Trucks R3500 and V3500 models, the biggest choice is between the 235/85R16 radial and the 750-16 bias-ply. Both are 16-inch fitments, but they represent different construction eras. The 235/85R16 is a modern radial truck size available with an S speed rating to 112 mph, while the 750-16 uses classic bias-ply construction and is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands including Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich.

Choose the 750-16 when visual authenticity and a traditional truck presentation matter most, especially on a restoration that leans toward original-era appearance. Choose the 235/85R16 when you want the more familiar road manners associated with radial construction on a heavy-duty truck. Neither choice should be treated as automatic, because wheel width, intended use, and the overall direction of the build all deserve a final check before ordering.

1987 GMC Trucks tires cover a surprisingly broad sidewall range. Depending on the size, options include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, goldline, blackwall, RBL, and RWL. The whitewall-heavy choices are most common in the 14- and 15-inch sizes such as 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15, while the truck-focused 31X10.50R15 and 235/85R16 lean toward raised-letter off-road styling. The 750-16 bias-ply size adds both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations.

For a late-1980s GMC truck or SUV, a blackwall, raised-white-letter, or modest whitewall treatment is often the most natural visual fit depending on model and trim personality. A Caballero or a more custom-oriented half-ton can wear a whitewall convincingly, while a heavy-duty or off-road truck often looks more at home with blackwall or raised-letter styling. Sidewall appearance will not change the basic size fitment, but it strongly affects how era-correct or personalized the finished truck feels.

1987 GMC Trucks fitments are covered by several brands, including American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Tornel, Firestone, and Lester. Brand coverage varies by size. For example, 205/75R14 uses American Classic, Coker Classic, and Maxxis; 235/75R15 uses BFGoodrich, American Classic, Maxxis, and Coker Classic; 205/75R15 uses BFGoodrich, Tornel, and American Classic; and 750-16 uses Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich.

That variety lets buyers steer the tire choice in different directions without changing the basic size. Some sizes emphasize classic whitewall presentation, some focus on truck-oriented radial styling, and the one-ton bias-ply size leans heavily into traditional appearance. If you are deciding between brands, compare the sidewall style first, then construction type, then any available load and rim-width details for the exact size you need.

Rim width requirements for 1987 GMC Trucks depend on the tire size. 195/75R14 commonly fits 5.00 to 7.00-inch rims, while 205/75R14 generally spans 5.00 or 5.50 up to 7.00 or 7.50 inches depending on brand. In 15-inch sizes, 195/75R15 runs around 5.00 to 7.00 inches, 205/75R15 around 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 215/75R15 around 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 225/75R15 around 6.00 to 8.00 inches, 235/75R15 from roughly 6.0 to 8.5 inches, and 31X10.50R15 from 7.0 to 9.0 inches.

The heavy-duty 16-inch sizes are narrower in range: 235/85R16 works on 6.0 to 7.5-inch rims, and 750-16 bias-ply tires generally use 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims. That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough. Two tires may both fit a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel, yet still require different wheel widths to sit correctly. Measure the actual wheel on the truck and compare it against the exact tire you plan to use before committing.

The available 1987 GMC Trucks sizes are predominantly modern radial products, and the size markings shown here do not indicate a tube-type or tubeless split within those radial offerings. The 750-16 bias-ply truck size is also presented without a TT or TL designation in the size marking. Because tube requirements can depend on the exact tire construction and the wheel itself, especially on older service-style rims, the answer should be confirmed against the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel design being used.

That matters most on one-ton trucks and restorations where wheels may have been swapped or reused over many decades. A tire can be physically correct in size yet still call for a different setup depending on bead-seat design, rim condition, and whether the wheel was intended for tube-type service. Instead of assuming by size alone, match the exact tire and wheel combination first, then confirm the final tube decision before installation.

Original 1987 GMC Trucks wheels can only be used with the tire sizes that match their wheel diameter and suitable width range. A 14-inch wheel can only take the 14-inch sizes used on Caballero and some S15 applications, while the common 15-inch GMC wheels are appropriate only for the 15-inch sizes assigned to Jimmy, R1500, S15, S15 Jimmy, and V1500 models. The heavy-duty 16-inch wheels belong with 215/85R16, 235/85R16, or 750-16 applications, depending on the truck.

Within a given diameter, some models do offer multiple tire sizes, but that does not mean every original wheel is automatically suitable for every one of them. A 235/75R15 and a 195/75R15 both fit 15-inch wheels, yet they do not share the same ideal wheel-width range. The safest path is to confirm the wheel diameter stamped or measured on your truck, then compare its width against the size you want to run.

A stored 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that harden and crack rubber over time. Clean, dry concrete or a barrier under the tires is better than damp soil or standing moisture, and the truck should be moved slightly from time to time so one contact patch does not carry the load for months on end. If a 750-16 bias-ply setup is fitted, expect flat-spotting to show up more readily after long static storage than with a radial.

Collector trucks and SUVs often spend more time parked than driven, so storage habits matter as much as mileage. Long, uninterrupted parking on underinflated tires can distort the casing and age the sidewalls faster than occasional use would. If the truck is being stored for an extended season, maintain pressure, reduce environmental exposure, and consider stands or periodic rolling so the tires do not spend the whole off-season carrying weight in one position.

On a 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle, tire age is usually more important than tread wear because many surviving trucks, Suburbans, and SUVs are driven seasonally or as hobby vehicles. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat the ten-year mark as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best way to determine actual age.

A truck that sees short local drives may still have tires that look usable while the rubber has already hardened internally. That is especially important on heavier models such as R2500, V2500, R3500, and V3500, where load demands are greater. If the age is unclear, the sidewalls show cracking, or the truck has sat for long periods, replacement becomes more about preserving safe road behavior than squeezing extra mileage out of an old set.

Tires on a 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer highway or towing trip. Check inflation pressure, tread wear, weather checking, cuts, bulges, and anything embedded in the tread. On heavy-duty trucks and Suburbans, also watch for signs of uneven wear that may point to alignment, steering, or suspension issues. If the truck uses an older-style setup where tubes or older valve hardware may be involved, inspect the stems carefully as well.

That quick walkaround is especially valuable on collector vehicles because problems often develop during storage rather than on the road. A truck can feel fine on a short local outing yet show sidewall aging or pressure loss that becomes more serious at sustained speeds. Building a habit of checking the tires before each use also helps catch wheel or chassis issues early, before they start damaging an otherwise correct and expensive set of tires.

For a 1987 GMC Trucks Caballero, the core fitment here is 205/75R14, and radial construction fits the era. By the late 1980s, radial tires were firmly established on American passenger-car-based vehicles, so a radial 14-inch replacement is consistent with the way a Caballero would ordinarily have been equipped. Whitewall treatment could vary with appearance preference and market presentation, but the size and radial construction are the first pieces to confirm.

That makes restoration decisions on a Caballero more about visual finish than about choosing between old and new tire technologies. A narrow or wide whitewall can shift the truck toward a more formal custom look, while a plainer sidewall keeps the appearance restrained. If your goal is event-level authenticity, verify the exact original presentation through GMC literature, marque clubs, or an unrestored reference truck before settling on the final sidewall style.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle is judged for originality or period presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the tire size suits the model, whether the construction fits the era, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate for the truck's intended character. A full-size one-ton truck on a modern-looking raised-letter radial may tell a different story than the same truck on a traditional 750-16 bias-ply, just as a Caballero or compact S15 can look notably different depending on whitewall treatment.

The closer the event is to concours-style judging, the more these details matter. A size that fits physically may still look out of place if it changes the stance or uses a sidewall style that does not suit the truck. Before finalizing a show-oriented set, compare your intended tire against period photos, original GMC sales material, and model-specific club guidance so the finished appearance supports the story you want the vehicle to tell.

For 1987 GMC Trucks applications where both appear, BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and American Classic Radial serve very different purposes. In 235/75R15, the BFGoodrich carries an RWL sidewall, a 104S speed rating, 1,985-pound load capacity at 50 psi, and a 6.0 to 7.0-inch rim-width range. The American Classic 235/75R15 uses a wide whitewall presentation, carries a 2,028-pound load capacity at 35 psi, and fits a broader 6.00 to 8.50-inch rim-width range.

The practical difference is visual direction and vehicle personality. The BFGoodrich leans toward a late-1980s truck or SUV look with a more utility-oriented sidewall treatment, while the American Classic pushes the same size toward a more custom or nostalgic appearance. Neither is automatically right for every 1987 GMC Trucks model using 235/75R15, so the best choice depends on whether you are preserving a truck-like stance and appearance or building around a more classic whitewall style.

Yes, 1987 GMC Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire size, construction, load rating, condition, and inflation all match the vehicle's real use. Several truck-oriented radial sizes here carry an S speed rating, which is rated to 112 mph, including 215/75R15, 235/75R15, 31X10.50R15, and 235/85R16 in BFGoodrich form. The 750-16 bias-ply option is a different construction type and should be treated with the expectations that come with a traditional truck tire rather than the feel of a modern radial.

On a 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle, the tire is only one part of highway readiness. Brakes, steering, shocks, wheel bearings, and overall suspension condition often matter just as much, especially on trucks that have spent long periods parked. If the truck is mechanically sound and the tire choice suits the load and driving style, normal highway use is realistic; if the vehicle is newly acquired or freshly revived from storage, a thorough inspection should come before the first longer run.

Inflation pressure for 1987 GMC Trucks tires depends on the exact size and tire chosen. Examples include 205/75R14 at 1,532 pounds at 35 psi, 195/75R14 versions at 1,399 to 1,521 pounds at 32 to 35 psi, 205/75R15 at 1,598 pounds at 35 psi, 225/75R15 at 1,874 to 2,094 pounds at 32 to 35 psi, 235/75R15 at 1,985 to 2,271 pounds at 32 to 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 tire.

Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to inflate every truck to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewall. The right starting point is the factory recommendation for your exact 1987 GMC Trucks model, then the tire maker's guidance for the reproduction or modern tire you selected. Never transfer a pressure from one size to another, especially between passenger-style 14- or 15-inch radials and heavy-duty 16-inch truck tires.

Before a longer trip in a 1987 GMC Trucks vehicle, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the spare as carefully as the road tires, because many collector trucks still carry an old spare that has aged out. If the truck uses a heavy-duty or restoration-style setup, inspect the wheels and valve stems closely and make sure the tire's load capacity matches the way the truck will actually be used that day.

A longer drive also calls for looking beyond the tires. Brake feel, steering play, wheel-bearing condition, fluid levels, belts, hoses, and lighting all deserve attention on a truck of this age. The tires are the only part touching the road, but they work as part of a larger mechanical system. A careful pre-drive check is the best way to avoid turning a simple tire issue or neglected chassis problem into a roadside failure.