1987 Jeep Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Jeep Trucks vehicles use six sizes: 195/75R15 for Comanche, 205/75R15 for Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer, and Wrangler, 215/75R15 for Cherokee and Wrangler, 225/75R15 for Cherokee, Comanche, J10, and Wrangler, 235/75R15 for Grand Wagoneer and J10, and 950-16.5 for J20. Five of those sizes fit 15-inch wheels, while the J20’s 950-16.5 fits a 16.5-inch wheel. Rim width ranges vary by size, from 5.00-7.00 inches on some 195/75R15 products up to 6.00-8.50 inches on some 235/75R15 products.

That means year and make alone are not enough for 1987 Jeep Trucks. A Cherokee and a J20 may both be Jeep trucks from the same year, but their tire requirements are completely different. Start by identifying the exact model, then match the size to the wheel diameter already on the vehicle, and finally compare sidewall style, brand, and product character inside that correct size.

On 1987 Jeep Trucks, 205/75R15 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. That size appears on Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer, and Wrangler applications and is offered in wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and goldline sidewall styles.

For a buyer, the key point is that 205/75R15 is one of the shared 15-inch radial sizes in the 1987 Jeep range, but it is not universal across every model. It works best as a starting point only after the model has been confirmed. Once size is settled, the next decision is usually visual: traditional whitewall treatment, a sportier goldline look, or a cleaner narrow-band presentation.

No. 1987 Jeep Trucks span compact SUVs, pickups, full-size wagons, and a heavy-duty truck, so tire size changes by model. Cherokee and Wrangler can use 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15 depending on application, Comanche uses 195/75R15, 205/75R15, or 225/75R15, Grand Wagoneer uses 235/75R15, J10 uses 225/75R15 or 235/75R15, Wagoneer uses 205/75R15, and J20 uses 950-16.5.

That split is especially important because most of the lineup uses 15-inch radial tires, while the J20 stands alone with a 16.5-inch bias-ply truck size. If you are unsure which Jeep you have, identify the model before comparing products. That one step narrows the field quickly and prevents confusion between compact, full-size, and heavy-duty applications.

1987 Jeep Trucks tires come in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 15-inch radial sizes include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, goldline, RBL, and RWL variations, while the J20’s 950-16.5 bias-ply size is available as a blackwall. Whitewall-heavy choices appear in 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15, while 215/75R15 and 235/75R15 also open the door to more truck-oriented sidewall treatments through BFGoodrich all-terrain products.

For restoration-minded buyers, sidewall style changes the visual impression almost as much as wheel design. A whitewall can suit a Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer especially well, while an all-terrain sidewall may look more at home on a Wrangler or Cherokee with a utility-focused build. Choose the appearance that matches your Jeep’s intended personality, but only inside the size that belongs to your model.

1987 Jeep Trucks coverage includes BFGoodrich, Tornel, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, and STA. BFGoodrich appears in 205/75R15, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15; Tornel covers 205/75R15 and 215/75R15; American Classic appears in 205/75R15, 225/75R15, 195/75R15, and 235/75R15; Coker Classic covers 215/75R15, 225/75R15, 195/75R15, and 235/75R15; Maxxis appears in 235/75R15; and STA covers 950-16.5.

That spread gives 1987 Jeep Trucks owners a meaningful choice between classic-style passenger radials, all-terrain truck radials, and a bias-ply heavy-duty truck option for the J20. Brand selection usually matters most after the correct size is confirmed. At that point, compare sidewall style, load capacity, and the overall character you want the Jeep to project rather than treating every brand as interchangeable.

For 1987 Jeep Trucks J20 applications, both the STA Traxion and STA Super Transport use the 950-16.5 size, bias-ply construction, blackwall sidewalls, a 16.5-inch rim diameter, and a 6.50-6.75 inch rim width range. Each carries the same maximum load capacity of 2,780 pounds at 60 psi. The practical spec difference is weight, with Traxion at 40 pounds and Super Transport at 41 pounds.

Because the core dimensions and load rating match, the choice is less about fitment and more about the particular tread family and how you want the truck presented. J20 owners should treat both as dedicated heavy-duty truck tires rather than substitutes for the 15-inch radial sizes used elsewhere in the 1987 Jeep range. Wheel diameter is the first checkpoint, and it has to be correct before any further comparison matters.

Rim width depends on the size used on the 1987 Jeep Trucks model in question. 195/75R15 products fit roughly 5.00-7.00 inch rims, 205/75R15 fits 5.50-7.50, 215/75R15 fits about 5.5-7.5 depending on product, 225/75R15 fits about 6.00-8.00, 235/75R15 fits roughly 6.00-8.50 depending on product, and 950-16.5 fits 6.50-6.75 inch rims. Those ranges are size-specific and should not be transferred from one tire size to another.

This is why wheel verification matters even when the wheel diameter seems correct. A 15-inch wheel may still be too narrow or too wide for the size you want to run. Check the wheel actually on your Jeep, then compare it to the approved range for that size and the specific tire you are considering. That step is especially important when moving between 205, 225, and 235 section-width radials.

The 1987 Jeep Trucks sizes covered here appear as radial and bias-ply products without tube-type or tubeless markings in the available size descriptions. None of the 15-inch radial sizes are marked TT, and the 950-16.5 bias-ply J20 products are also presented without a TT or TL designation in the size line. That means tube requirements should be confirmed against the exact wheel type and the specific tire’s sidewall marking before installation.

On a practical level, the tire alone does not answer the whole question. Wheel design, wheel condition, and how the tire is marked all matter, especially on older truck wheels or specialty applications. If your 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle still wears original wheels, verify compatibility with the installer or a Jeep specialist before assuming a tube is or is not needed.

Original 1987 Jeep Trucks wheels cannot be treated as universal across the full lineup because wheel diameter changes by model. Most applications use 15-inch tires, including 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 215/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15, but the J20 uses a 16.5-inch wheel with 950-16.5 bias-ply tires. Even within the 15-inch group, acceptable rim width changes from one size to another.

If your Jeep still has its original wheels, first confirm the wheel diameter stamped or measured on the vehicle. Then verify that the wheel width falls inside the range for the size you want to run. A Cherokee wheel and a J20 wheel are not interchangeable tire foundations just because both came from 1987 Jeep trucks, and mixing diameters is an immediate mismatch.

A stored 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors and ozone-producing equipment, and off damp ground when possible. Maintain proper inflation, keep the tires clean and dry, and move the vehicle periodically so it does not sit in one position for months at a time. The bias-ply 950-16.5 used on J20 models is generally more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage than the radial sizes used across the rest of the lineup.

For long-term storage, many collectors either roll the vehicle occasionally or support it so the tires are not carrying full weight continuously. That is particularly useful for a low-use Jeep that only comes out seasonally. Good storage habits protect both appearance and road manners, and they help prevent a nice-looking tire from becoming rough, cracked, or misshapen before its tread is actually worn.

On a 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many surviving examples are hobby, weekend, or low-use vehicles. A sound rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that age check.

Collector Jeeps often accumulate very little mileage, so old tires can appear serviceable while rubber compounds have already hardened or deteriorated. That matters on every size in the range, from the compact 195/75R15 Comanche fitment to the heavy-duty 950-16.5 J20 tire. If the Jeep is driven infrequently, age-based replacement planning is usually smarter than waiting for visible tread wear alone.

Tires on a 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle should be inspected before every drive, and again more thoroughly before any longer outing or highway trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs of pressure loss. On a J20, the heavier-duty 950-16.5 tires deserve extra attention to load-related stress and sidewall condition, while whitewall radials on other models should also be checked for cosmetic cracking that may signal deeper age-related deterioration.

Short local drives can hide developing problems that become obvious only once heat and speed build on the road. A quick pressure and condition check takes only a few minutes and is one of the simplest ways to protect an older Jeep. Include the spare in the inspection routine as well, since a decades-old spare often becomes an afterthought until it is suddenly needed.

For a 1987 Jeep Trucks Cherokee, the factory-era fitment pattern reflected radial construction rather than bias-ply, which aligns with the broader market by the late 1980s. Cherokee applications from this year use 205/75R15, 215/75R15, or 225/75R15 depending on the vehicle’s specific setup. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed from year and model alone, because that could vary by production details and market conditions.

For an accurate restoration, start with the size actually associated with your Cherokee, then match the visual style to the build you are recreating. A street-oriented restoration may call for a classic radial presentation, while a more utility-focused version may lean toward a truck-style sidewall in the correct size. If you are chasing exact judged authenticity, a Jeep marque club or factory literature is the right final checkpoint.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle is prepared for judging or serious show presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size suits the model, whether the construction type fits the era, and whether the sidewall style matches the vehicle’s intended appearance. A J20 on a 15-inch passenger radial or a Grand Wagoneer on a visibly inappropriate truck-style sidewall can stand out immediately.

For a local cruise night, those differences may be less important than overall condition and safety. In a judged setting, though, the details count. Match the tire size to the correct model first, then choose the sidewall treatment that best reflects how the Jeep would have been presented in period. Event rules and marque-specific standards can vary, so it helps to review those before finalizing a show car or truck.

In 225/75R15 for 1987 Jeep Trucks, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is offered as a 2.75-inch wide whitewall with a 6.00-8.00 inch rim width range and a maximum load capacity of 1,874 pounds at 35 psi. American Classic Radial appears in the same size as a 1.6-inch narrow whitewall, also for 6.00-8.00 inch rims, with the same 1,874-pound capacity at 35 psi. The main difference is sidewall presentation rather than fitment basics.

That makes the choice largely visual for an owner who already knows 225/75R15 is correct for the vehicle. The BFGoodrich presentation is fuller and more formal, while the American Classic look is narrower and more restrained. On a restoration or period-styled Jeep, that difference can change the whole personality of the truck even though diameter, construction type, and rim-width suitability remain closely aligned.

1987 Jeep Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is fitted, the tires are in sound condition, and the speed capability matches how the vehicle will be used. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 versions in 215/75R15 and 235/75R15 carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. Other radial and bias-ply products here do not all show the same speed marking in the size description, so the exact sidewall marking on the tire should be checked before sustained highway use.

In real-world use, the vehicle itself often sets the practical limit before the tire does. Suspension design, steering feel, braking performance, and overall condition matter just as much on an older Jeep as the published speed symbol. If the Jeep is mechanically sound and the tire is age-appropriate and correctly inflated, normal highway travel is a very different question from chasing top-speed capability.

Inflation pressure depends on the exact tire size and product on the 1987 Jeep Trucks model you own. Examples include 195/75R15 at 1,477 pounds at 32 psi or 1,444-1,477 pounds at 35 psi depending on product, 205/75R15 at 1,598 pounds at 35 psi, 215/75R15 up to 1,874 pounds at 32 psi or 1,765 pounds at 50 psi on the KO2, 225/75R15 up to 2,094 pounds at 32 psi or 1,874 pounds at 35 psi, 235/75R15 up to 2,271 pounds at 32 psi or 1,985 pounds at 50 psi on the KO2, and 950-16.5 at 2,780 pounds at 60 psi.

Those figures are tire ratings, not a one-size-fits-all instruction for every Jeep application. Use the vehicle’s factory recommendation as your baseline for a stock setup, then make sure it is compatible with the specific reproduction or modern tire you are using. Never borrow a pressure figure from one size to another, especially when moving between passenger-style radials, all-terrain radials, and the J20’s heavy-duty bias-ply truck tire.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Jeep Trucks vehicle, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Pay attention to wheel diameter and size matching if the vehicle has had past changes, since most 1987 Jeep trucks use 15-inch radials but the J20 uses a 16.5-inch bias-ply setup. Valve stems, wheel condition, and overall age of the tire matter just as much as tread depth.

A longer trip is also the right time for a broader pre-drive check that suits an older Jeep: brakes, steering, suspension, fluid levels, and lights all deserve a quick review. Tires are only one part of the road-readiness picture, but they are the part that actually meets the pavement. A careful inspection before departure is much easier than solving a heat-related tire problem on the shoulder.