1987 Isuzu Tire Fitment Guide

Three tire sizes fit 1987 Isuzu vehicles covered here: 175/70R13, 205/60R14, and 195/60R14. The I-Mark uses 175/70R13 and 205/60R14, while the Impulse uses 195/60R14. The 175/70R13 mounts on a 13-inch rim, and both 14-inch sizes mount on 14-inch rims. The 175/70R13 has a confirmed rim width range of 4.5 to 6.0 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1987 Isuzu. You need to identify whether the car is an I-Mark or an Impulse, then confirm whether the I-Mark is on its 13-inch or 14-inch wheel setup. If the car has changed hands or been modified over the years, checking the sidewall on the current tires and measuring the wheel diameter before ordering is the safest way to avoid a mismatch.

On a 1987 Isuzu, 175/70R13 is a metric radial size. The 175 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On this year and make, that size applies to certain I-Mark fitments and mounts on a 13-inch rim. Avon offers it as a Blackwall radial with an H speed rating.

The practical takeaway is that 175/70R13 is not interchangeable with the 14-inch Isuzu sizes unless the car also has different wheels. It is a complete fitment package tied to a 13-inch rim. If your I-Mark currently wears 13-inch wheels, this size is where you start; if it has 14-inch wheels, you should stop and verify whether the car belongs with 205/60R14 instead.

No, 1987 Isuzu models do not all use the same tire size. The Impulse uses 195/60R14, while the I-Mark appears in two separate size families: 175/70R13 and 205/60R14. All three are radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters and model applications. That makes fitment more model-specific than many buyers expect from a compact 1980s import lineup.

This matters because visual similarity between late-1980s Isuzu passenger cars can tempt owners to assume one size fits the whole brand for the year. It does not. A buyer should confirm the model badge, verify the wheel diameter, and check the current tire sidewall before making a final choice. That extra step is especially helpful on cars that may have received replacement wheels during years of enthusiast ownership.

Blackwall sidewalls are available for the 1987 Isuzu sizes that currently have matching products: 175/70R13 and 195/60R14. Both of those sizes appear as radial passenger-car tires with a clean late-1980s look rather than a wide whitewall or decorative vintage sidewall treatment. That styling fits the original market character of an import compact or sporty hatchback from this period, where Blackwall or understated sidewall presentation was the norm.

For a restoration-minded owner, sidewall style matters almost as much as the size code because a visibly incorrect sidewall can change the car's overall appearance. For a driver-focused owner, Blackwall remains the natural choice because it preserves the clean factory-era look without drawing attention away from the wheels and body lines. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall style is usually a straightforward decision on a 1987 Isuzu.

Avon and Michelin make tires for 1987 Isuzu applications covered here. Avon covers the 175/70R13 used on certain I-Mark fitments with its CR6ZZ radial, while Michelin covers the 195/60R14 used on the Impulse with the MXV3-A radial. Both are radial constructions, but they serve different model and size applications rather than overlapping on the same fitment.

That brand split means your model and size determine the realistic choices more than brand preference alone. If you own an Impulse, the 195/60R14 path is distinct from the smaller I-Mark size, and if you own an I-Mark, the wheel diameter on the car narrows the field immediately. Start with fitment, then evaluate brand character, speed rating, and appearance once you know which size your Isuzu actually requires.

The right tire for a 1987 Isuzu begins with matching the exact model and wheel diameter, because the I-Mark and Impulse do not share one universal size. The I-Mark uses either 175/70R13 or 205/60R14, while the Impulse uses 195/60R14. All of these are radial sizes, so the decision is mainly about correct fitment rather than choosing between older bias-ply and modern radial construction.

After confirming size, look at the tire's speed rating, sidewall appearance, and how closely you want the car to reflect its original late-1980s personality. A more original-looking street car may prioritize an era-appropriate Blackwall appearance, while an enthusiast who drives farther may pay closer attention to speed rating and the tire's overall character. The key is to avoid treating all 1987 Isuzu passenger cars as one fitment family.

Rim width guidance is confirmed for the 175/70R13 used on the 1987 Isuzu I-Mark: it fits rims from 4.5 to 6.0 inches wide. The 195/60R14 and 205/60R14 both use 14-inch rims, but the critical point at the year-make level is first confirming that the wheel diameter matches the tire size. A 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are never interchangeable on the same wheel.

When setting up a 1987 Isuzu, use the wheel on the car as the starting point rather than assuming all compact import wheels from the era are the same width. If your I-Mark has aftermarket wheels, verify both diameter and width before committing to a tire. That matters most when moving between the I-Mark's 13-inch and 14-inch fitments, because a correct sidewall code still will not work if the wheel itself is wrong.

The 195/60R14 fitted to the 1987 Isuzu Impulse is available in tubeless form. The 175/70R13 offered for the I-Mark does not carry a tube-type marking in the available fitment, and it is presented as a modern radial passenger tire. That puts 1987 Isuzu passenger-car fitments firmly in the modern radial era rather than the earlier tube-type collector-car world many prewar and mid-century cars inhabit.

Even so, the wheel itself still matters. If your Isuzu is on original wheels, inspect the bead seats and valve stem condition before mounting any new tire, and if the car wears older aftermarket wheels, confirm whether the wheel manufacturer intended tubeless use. On a late-1980s import, the question is usually wheel condition and sealing quality rather than whether the tire size itself belongs to a tube-type design.

A 1987 Isuzu stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and avoid letting the car sit for long periods on damp concrete or in standing moisture. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from heat, light, and ozone even when tread wear is low.

If the car will be parked for months, move it periodically so the same section of the tread is not always bearing the load, or support it in a way that reduces long-term stress on the tires and suspension. Collector cars often accumulate age faster than mileage. A simple storage routine does more to preserve sidewalls and ride quality than many owners expect, especially on low-use 1980s imports that spend more time garaged than driven.

Tires on a 1987 Isuzu should be judged more by age, condition, and storage history than by mileage alone. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation once a tire reaches roughly five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the quickest way to establish the tire's actual age.

That age-based approach is especially important for a low-mileage I-Mark or Impulse that may seem fine because it has not been driven much. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, and reduced wet-weather confidence often appear before the tread is worn out. A well-preserved 1987 Isuzu can still be undermined by old tires, so age and visible condition should carry more weight than odometer readings when deciding whether to replace them.

Tires on a 1987 Isuzu should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracks, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and any signs that the car has been sitting on underinflated tires. Because these are radial passenger-car fitments, ride and steering feel can also give early warning if one tire is aging or failing differently from the others.

Before an extended trip, include the spare in the inspection and verify the valve stems as well as the tread and sidewalls. Older collector cars often develop issues while parked, not just while being driven. A two-minute walk-around with a pressure gauge can catch the small problems that turn into a roadside delay, and it is one of the most useful habits an owner can build into routine 1987 Isuzu care.

A 1987 Isuzu I-Mark belongs to the era when radial passenger tires were standard practice, and the fitments here reflect that with 175/70R13 and 205/60R14 radial sizes. That means an I-Mark restoration aimed at stock character should begin with the correct metric radial size for the wheel package on the car rather than with an earlier-style bias-ply substitute. The exact factory fitment can vary with market position, trim, and wheel package, so originality work benefits from checking period literature and marque-specific references.

For most restorers, the main authenticity question is whether the car should be on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels and whether the tire's sidewall appearance suits a late-1980s import. A clean Blackwall radial usually looks appropriate for the period. If the car is being prepared for marque judging, verify the exact original size against factory materials or club guidance before finalizing the setup.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1987 Isuzu, especially if the event values factory presentation and period accuracy. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance fit the era and the model. On a late-1980s import, an obviously incorrect wheel diameter or an oversized, non-period profile can disrupt the car's stance and visual balance even before anyone studies finer details.

For a show-minded I-Mark or Impulse, authenticity usually means matching the proper model-specific metric radial size and keeping the overall appearance consistent with an import passenger car from 1987. Event standards can vary, so local marque clubs and original brochures remain the best guides when points matter. Even if your goal is not concours judging, a correct tire fitment often improves the car's proportions and makes the restoration feel more complete.

The 1987 Isuzu Impulse sits firmly in the modern radial era, and its fitment here is 195/60R14 in radial construction. That size matches the model's sporty late-1980s personality far more closely than a taller or older-format substitute would. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and delivery context, so the strongest originality anchor is usually the correct size, construction type, and overall sidewall presentation rather than chasing an unverified brand assumption.

If you are restoring an Impulse for authentic appearance, keep the focus on retaining the correct 14-inch radial fitment and a sidewall style that looks right for the period. The model's sleek design works best when the tire profile remains true to its intended stance. A marque specialist or period brochure can help settle close originality questions, particularly if the car has changed wheels during decades of enthusiast ownership.

1987 Isuzu tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are in good condition, correctly sized, and matched to the car. The 175/70R13 carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling, and the 195/60R14 carries a V speed rating with a 149 mph ceiling. Those ratings are comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds. On cars of this age, tire age, inflation, alignment, brakes, and suspension condition often matter more in real-world driving than the raw speed symbol on the sidewall.

The practical issue is not whether a late-1980s Isuzu tire can survive ordinary highway use, but whether the entire car is ready for it. A well-sorted I-Mark or Impulse on fresh, properly inflated radials should feel far more reassuring than a car on aged tires with good-looking tread. Before sustained highway driving, confirm that all four tires match the intended fitment and that the car tracks straight, brakes evenly, and holds pressure consistently.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Isuzu should follow the vehicle's original placard or owner's manual first, because factory pressure recommendations are tied to the car's weight distribution and suspension tuning. Tire pressure figures printed on reproduction or modern replacement tires often refer to the maximum pressure associated with that tire's rated load, not the pressure the car should automatically run. The available 175/70R13 and 195/60R14 products should not have one pressure figure transferred from one size to the other.

That means the safest approach is to start with the car's factory recommendation and then confirm that the tire itself is being used within its rated limits. If the wheel or tire setup has been changed from stock, pressure may need to be reviewed more carefully with the tire manufacturer or an experienced marque specialist. Consistent cold-pressure checks matter more than chasing a one-number answer across different 1987 Isuzu fitments.

Before taking a 1987 Isuzu on a longer drive, inspect all four tires for cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Confirm that the tires match the correct size for the model and wheel diameter, and do not forget the spare. On a late-1980s car, it is also wise to look over the valve stems, especially if the tires or wheels have been in service for several years.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist, but they are among the easiest places to catch trouble early. A longer outing in an older I-Mark or Impulse also calls for checking brakes, belts, hoses, fluids, and the cooling system before departure. When the tire condition, pressure, and fitment are right, you remove one of the most common weak links in putting an older import back into regular road use.