1987 Subaru Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Subaru Trucks vehicles use one tire size: 185/70R13. That size applies to the 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat, and it mounts on a 13-inch wheel. Rim-width coverage for available 185/70R13 products spans from 4.5 inches to 6.5 inches, depending on the specific tire.

That makes fitment much simpler than on year-make pages with multiple model lines or mixed wheel diameters. The main thing to verify is that your Brat still has the correct 13-inch wheels and that the wheel width falls within the acceptable range for the exact tire you choose, especially if the truck has been modified over the years.

On a 1987 Subaru Trucks tire, 185/70R13 means the tire is 185 millimeters wide, has a 70-series aspect ratio, uses radial construction, and fits a 13-inch wheel. The R is the key construction marker, identifying it as a radial rather than a bias-ply tire. Some versions also carry service descriptions such as 86H or 82V, which pair load and speed information with the basic size.

For a Brat owner, that code matters because it defines the baseline fitment before you compare brand, sidewall style, or intended use. Once the size is confirmed, you can narrow the choice by deciding whether you want a blackwall performance look, a redline custom-period look, or a whitewall style that changes the truck’s overall presentation.

Yes. The 1987 Subaru Trucks range covered here centers on the Brat, and that model uses 185/70R13. There is no second factory-size path within this year-make group, so buyers are not sorting between multiple rim diameters or construction families at the year-make level.

That gives you a more direct decision tree: first confirm that the truck is a 1987 Brat and still wears 13-inch wheels, then compare the available radial options in that size. If your truck has aftermarket wheels or a modified ride height, it is still wise to measure the actual wheel and check clearance before making a final choice.

1987 Subaru Trucks tires in 185/70R13 are available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices come from Avon and Dunlop, while BFGoodrich offers both redline and wide whitewall versions in the same basic size. All of them are radial tires, so the visual difference is more dramatic than the fitment difference.

For most Brat owners, blackwall is the most natural match to the truck’s late-1980s character, especially on a driver or sport-oriented build. Redline and wide whitewall versions push the truck toward a stronger custom or nostalgic look, which can be appealing on a personalized build but may feel less factory-typical than a plain black sidewall.

BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop all offer 185/70R13 tires for 1987 Subaru Trucks applications. BFGoodrich covers the style-focused end of the range with redline and wide whitewall versions, while Avon and Dunlop offer blackwall radials. The available choices stay within the same overall size but differ in presentation and service description.

That variety gives Brat owners a useful spread of options without forcing a move away from the original-size fitment. If authenticity of appearance matters most, start with sidewall style; if road-speed capability or a more sporting feel matters more, compare the service markings and intended character of the blackwall radials before deciding.

The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet both fit 1987 Subaru Trucks in 185/70R13, but they differ in sidewall presentation and service details. The BFGoodrich appears in redline and 2-inch whitewall versions with a 1,135-pound maximum load at 35 psi, while the Dunlop is a blackwall radial with an 82V marking and a stated maximum load of 1,047 pounds. The Dunlop also carries a higher speed symbol than the BFGoodrich products that do not show a speed letter.

In practical terms, the BFGoodrich options suit an owner who wants the correct size with a stronger visual statement, while the Dunlop suits someone aiming for a more understated blackwall look with a performance-flavored service description. Since both share the same basic fitment, the decision is really about appearance, service marking, and how closely the tire’s personality fits the truck.

1987 Subaru Trucks tires in 185/70R13 cover a rim-width range from 4.5 inches to 6.5 inches, depending on the product. Avon’s 185/70R13 fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims, while BFGoodrich versions fit 5.00- to 6.50-inch rims. All of these tires mount on a 13-inch wheel diameter.

That means wheel width matters even when the tire size code stays the same. Before ordering, measure the actual wheel or confirm the wheel specification so the tire you choose falls within its approved range; that is especially important on a Brat that may have replacement wheels from a later Subaru or an aftermarket supplier.

The 185/70R13 products for 1987 Subaru Trucks are radial passenger-style tires and do not carry tube-type markings in the size descriptions shown here. That points toward tubeless-style fitment in normal use, assuming the wheel itself is suitable and in proper condition. None of the available 185/70R13 products is presented as a tube-type tire.

The important check is the wheel, not only the tire. If your Brat still uses sound original-style tubeless rims, standard tubeless installation is the usual path; if the wheels are heavily corroded, damaged, or unusual aftermarket pieces, have the wheel condition evaluated before installation rather than assuming the tire alone determines the setup.

A 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the truck periodically so one spot of the tread is not carrying the same load for months at a time. Radials generally tolerate storage better than old-style bias-ply tires, but they still age from heat, UV exposure, and long static loading.

If the truck will sit for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous stress on the tires. The goal is to preserve the sidewalls and casing shape so the Brat is ready for service when the driving season returns, rather than discovering flat-spotting, pressure loss, or age cracking at the first outing.

Tires on a 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, especially on a collector or low-use vehicle. A good rule is to begin close inspection around the five- to seven-year mark and give serious replacement consideration as tires approach about ten years from their date code, even if tread depth still looks healthy. Rubber compounds harden over time whether the truck is driven often or not.

That age-based approach matters because many classic and specialty vehicles accumulate very few miles each year, which can make old tires appear deceptively serviceable. Check the DOT date code on each tire and compare it with the way the Brat is used; a rarely driven truck headed onto modern roads still deserves fresh rubber if the tires have aged out.

Tires on a 1987 Subaru Trucks should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Also check the tread surface for weathering or separation and make sure the valve stems are sound.

A quick inspection routine is especially important on older vehicles because age, storage, and long idle periods can affect tires as much as road use. On a Brat that only comes out for weekends or events, those few minutes of checking can reveal a problem early enough to prevent a roadside issue or damage to a hard-to-replace wheel.

A 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat belongs to the late-classic period when radial construction was already standard practice for mainstream passenger vehicles and light compact trucks, so a radial tire in the correct 185/70R13 size is the appropriate starting point. The available fitment for this year and model is 185/70R13, and that size aligns with the kind of compact radial fitment expected on a late-1980s Subaru. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery details, so the most reliable reference for exact restoration work is marque-specific literature and club knowledge.

For most restorations, getting the size, wheel diameter, and overall sidewall character right matters more than chasing a brand assumption. If your goal is factory-style presentation, begin with a radial in the stock size and then decide whether a plain blackwall best matches your truck’s original appearance or whether your project is leaning toward a personalized period look.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Subaru Trucks because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. For a Brat of this era, the correct 185/70R13 radial size keeps the truck within the right visual and dimensional neighborhood, while a dramatically different profile or wheel diameter can change the stance and period feel. Sidewall treatment also affects how authentic or customized the truck appears.

If the truck is being prepared for a formal show, match the tire’s look to the standard expected by that event rather than assuming one style suits every venue. A blackwall radial will usually read as more factory-appropriate for a late-1980s Subaru, while a redline or wide whitewall may be better understood as a custom statement than a strict originality choice.

The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ both fit the 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat in 185/70R13, but they present the truck very differently. BFGoodrich offers style-forward redline and wide whitewall versions with a 5.00- to 6.50-inch rim-width range and a 1,135-pound maximum load at 35 psi, while the Avon CR6ZZ is a blackwall radial with an 86H service description and a 4.5- to 6.0-inch rim-width range. The Avon’s H rating carries a 130 mph ceiling.

For restoration-minded owners, the real distinction is visual tone and intended character. The BFGoodrich options add a custom or nostalgic accent, while the Avon reads more like a purposeful blackwall radial; if your Brat is headed toward a stock-appearing presentation, the cleaner sidewall look may make more sense than a decorative stripe or whitewall treatment.

Yes, 1987 Subaru Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly installed, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The available 185/70R13 choices include H-rated tires with a 130 mph ceiling and V-rated tires with a 149 mph ceiling, which are well above normal U.S. highway speeds. On a Brat, overall roadworthiness usually depends just as much on suspension condition, alignment, brakes, and steering components as on the tire itself.

That means the tire should be viewed as one part of the whole vehicle system. A fresh radial in the right size can support confident touring, but an older compact truck still deserves an honest mechanical inspection before regular highway use, particularly if it has sat for long periods or wears aging bushings, shocks, or brake parts.

Inflation pressure for 1987 Subaru Trucks tires should start with the factory recommendation for the vehicle and then be checked against the tire’s own service information. Among the available 185/70R13 products, BFGoodrich versions show a maximum load of 1,135 pounds at 35 psi, while one Dunlop 185/70VR13 shows a maximum load of 1,047 pounds. Those figures are tire limits tied to load capacity, not automatic operating pressures for every Brat.

Use the owner’s manual or vehicle placard for baseline vehicle pressure guidance, then make sure the chosen tire is being used within its rated range. Avoid assuming that one tire’s pressure figure should be copied to every other 185/70R13, because construction details and service descriptions can differ even when the basic size stays the same.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Subaru Trucks Brat, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the spare as well, because an aged or underinflated spare can turn a small problem into a trip-ending one. It is also wise to confirm that valve stems are in good condition and that the tires are not rubbing anywhere through the steering and suspension range.

A longer trip is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Wheel bearing play, brake feel, fluid levels, belt condition, and cooling-system health all matter on an older Subaru, and dealing with those basics before departure usually does more for confidence and safety than any last-minute change made at the roadside.