Ford F-150 Tires

Ford F-150 models from 1973 through 1979 use six listed tire sizes: 700-15, L78-15, LR78-15, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and H78-15. The 700-15, L78-15, and LR78-15 sizes run across 1973 to 1979 and all use 15-inch rims. The 800-16.5 and 875-16.5 sizes appear from 1973 to 1977 and use 16.5-inch rims, while H78-15 is also a 1973 to 1977 size on a 15-inch rim.

That spread means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Ford F-150. A 1973 through 1977 truck may have either 15-inch or 16.5-inch wheels, and several sizes can overlap within the same year. The practical way to narrow it down is to confirm the wheel diameter first, then compare the existing tire size, wheel width, and the truck’s intended use before settling on the replacement size.

A 700-15 tire on a Ford F-150 uses an older numeric bias-ply size format. The 700 indicates a nominal 7.00-inch section width, and the 15 identifies a 15-inch rim diameter. In the available Ford F-150 range, 700-15 is listed from 1973 through 1979 and appears in both passenger-style bias-ply offerings and truck-oriented tread designs.

That matters because a Ford F-150 wearing 700-15 may have been set up for a different look and duty cycle than one using a wider alphanumeric size or a 16.5-inch truck tire. Check the wheel diameter stamped on the wheel, then compare the present tire and the truck’s stance to original photos or factory literature. If the truck still uses a tube-type bias-ply arrangement, keep the wheel and tube requirements matched to the tire you choose.

A 1974 Ford F-150 has six listed tire sizes because that model year spans more than one wheel diameter and more than one tire type. The 1974 range includes 15-inch sizes such as 700-15, H78-15, L78-15, and LR78-15, plus 16.5-inch sizes 800-16.5 and 875-16.5. That is a wheel-diameter split first, with additional variation inside the 15-inch group between bias-ply and radial-style sizing.

The practical takeaway is that a 1974 Ford F-150 cannot be identified by year alone. Start by measuring or reading the actual wheel diameter, then determine whether the truck is set up with a narrower numeric size, a wider alphanumeric bias-ply size, or the LR78-15 radial-style fitment. Trucks restored from parts, repainted wheels, or long service lives often differ from their original configuration, so checking the truck itself matters more than assuming the broadest year listing applies.

Ford F-150 models in this 1973 to 1979 group use either 15-inch or 16.5-inch wheels. The 15-inch sizes are 700-15, H78-15, L78-15, and LR78-15, while the 16.5-inch sizes are 800-16.5 and 875-16.5. Both rim diameters appear from 1973 through 1977, and only the 15-inch group remains listed for 1978 and 1979.

Because both diameters were used in the same early years, wheel size is the first fitment fact to verify on a Ford F-150. A 16.5-inch tire will not interchange with a 15-inch wheel, even when the truck looks similar from the outside. Confirm the diameter on the wheel itself and then match the tire size to the appropriate rim width range where that information is given.

A 1976 Ford F-150 can use six listed sizes: 700-15, H78-15, L78-15, LR78-15, 800-16.5, and 875-16.5. Three of those sizes are part of the 15-inch group with passenger-style and truck-style options, and two belong to the 16.5-inch truck group. LR78-15 adds a radial-style size designation to the 15-inch family, so the correct choice depends on the exact wheel and tire setup on the truck.

Start with the wheel diameter because that immediately separates the 15-inch sizes from the 16.5-inch sizes. After that, compare the size molded into the current tire, the wheel width, and whether the truck is being restored for period appearance or set up for truck use with highway or traction tread. If the truck has changed hands several times, verify all four wheels rather than assuming they match.

Ford F-150 tires in this range are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and dual-white-stripe. Blackwall appears across the truck-oriented offerings and some passenger-style options, while whitewall treatments are available in several 15-inch sizes such as 700-15, L78-15, H78-15, and LR78-15. The available sidewall choices are concentrated in the 15-inch sizes rather than the 16.5-inch truck sizes.

For most pickup restorations, blackwall will be the most typical visual choice, especially on working-truck or utility-focused builds. Whitewall and dual-stripe versions suit period custom, boulevard, or more personalized presentations, but they should be selected with the truck’s overall restoration direction in mind. Sidewall style does not change the wheel diameter requirement, so visual preference still comes after confirming the proper size and wheel fitment.

Ford F-150 tires in this group come from four brands: Firestone, BFGoodrich, STA, and Coker Classic. Firestone appears in 700-15 and LR78-15 offerings, BFGoodrich appears in 700-15 and L78-15, STA covers several truck-oriented sizes including 700-15, L78-15, H78-15, 800-16.5, and 875-16.5, and Coker Classic appears in L78-15 and H78-15. The range includes both passenger-style bias-ply tires and heavier-duty truck tread patterns.

That variety gives a Ford F-150 owner more than one path depending on the goal for the truck. Some buyers will lean toward period-style appearance with classic bias-ply lines and whitewall options, while others will focus on utility tread and heavier-duty blackwall truck tires. Brand choice should follow size, wheel diameter, and intended use rather than the other way around.

Ford F-150 tires here span several series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Traxion, Firestone Classic Military, Super Transport, Transport Highway, Super Traxion, and Wide Oval Radial. The classic bias-ply series focus on period passenger-style construction and appearance, while the truck series such as Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway are more utility-oriented. Wide Oval Radial stands apart as the radial-style option in LR78-15.

For a Ford F-150 restoration, the key difference is whether the truck is being presented as a period-style pickup with classic sidewall options or equipped more like a working truck with highway or traction tread. Tread pattern, load character, and construction style all change the truck’s look and feel even when the wheel diameter stays the same. Choose the series only after identifying the correct size family for the truck.

A Ford F-150 stored on its tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long exposure to concrete moisture. Clean tires and wheels before storage, maintain proper inflation for the specific tire, and move the truck occasionally if it will sit for long periods. Collector trucks with bias-ply or older-style truck tires benefit from avoiding prolonged static load on one contact patch.

If the Ford F-150 will be parked for a season or longer, use wheel cradles or slightly reposition the truck from time to time to reduce flat-spotting. Keep petroleum-based dressings off the sidewalls, and avoid storing the truck near electric motors, welders, or compressors that generate ozone. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector pickup that sees limited road use.

Tires on a Ford F-150 should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for cracking, bulges, uneven wear, tread separation, impact damage, and any sign that the tire is moving on the rim or losing pressure. On a vintage truck using bias-ply or specialty tread designs, small issues can become larger problems quickly if the truck has been sitting.

A practical routine is to give the Ford F-150 a quick walk-around before each outing and a hands-on inspection several times per year. Check valve stems, wheel condition, and inflation alongside the tire itself, because an old wheel can create the same symptoms as a failing tire. If the truck has spent years parked, have the tires and wheels inspected by a shop familiar with collector vehicles before regular driving resumes.

A Ford F-150 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, or structural damage becomes evident, even if the tread still looks serviceable. Collector vehicles often age out tires long before they wear them out, especially when they are driven infrequently. Any tire that shows sidewall checking, repeated air loss, impact damage, or vibration that cannot be balanced away deserves immediate attention.

Treat time and condition as seriously as tread depth on a Ford F-150 that lives a low-mileage life. A truck that appears presentable at a show can still be riding on tires that are no longer trustworthy for road duty. Establish a replacement plan around condition, storage history, and usage rather than waiting for the tread to wear down like a daily-driven modern pickup.

Ford F-150 models in this 1973 to 1979 range are associated with several period sizes rather than a single universal original tire. The listed size families include 700-15, H78-15, L78-15, LR78-15, 800-16.5, and 875-16.5, with classic bias-ply passenger-style series, truck-oriented tread series, and a radial-style LR78-15 option all present. That points to variation by wheel package and intended use rather than one across-the-board answer.

For restoration work, the right move is to match the Ford F-150 to its factory wheel diameter, surviving original paperwork, and the truck’s trim and purpose. A work-oriented truck may call for a very different visual and construction choice than a more personalized or comfort-oriented build. Marque literature, window stickers, and original owner material are the best tie-breakers when several period-correct options exist.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging for a Ford F-150, especially when the truck is restored to a particular year and appearance standard. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice whether the wheel diameter, sidewall style, tread character, and construction type suit the era and configuration of the truck. An otherwise strong restoration can look visibly off if the tire profile or wheel diameter is inconsistent with the build.

That does not mean every Ford F-150 must wear the same tire to be respected, but the tire should make sense for the truck’s restoration objective. A stock-oriented build benefits from close attention to period size language and sidewall treatment, while a preserved survivor may justify a different choice. Marque clubs and event rulebooks are the best references when authenticity will be judged formally.

Ford F-150 tire options in this range include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and dual-white-stripe sidewalls. Blackwall is the most natural fit for many truck restorations, especially where utility appearance matters, while whitewall and stripe options are available in several 15-inch passenger-style sizes. The 16.5-inch truck sizes in this group are blackwall offerings.

Choosing the correct sidewall for a Ford F-150 comes down to the character of the specific truck. A standard pickup restoration will usually look most appropriate on blackwalls, while a period custom or highly personalized build may legitimately use whitewall or stripe treatments that were part of the era’s styling language. Match the sidewall to the truck’s intended presentation, not just the tire size alone.

Ford F-150 tires in these sizes can be appropriate for public-road use when they are new, correctly matched to the wheel diameter, properly inflated, and used within the limits of their construction. The range includes bias-ply passenger-style tires, truck-oriented bias-ply tread designs, and one radial-style LR78-15 option, so the driving feel and duty cycle can vary significantly. Safety begins with selecting the right size for the actual wheel and intended use of the truck.

A restored Ford F-150 should still be driven with the expectations of a 1970s truck and the behavior of its chosen tire construction in mind. Bias-ply tires can feel different from modern radials, and truck tread patterns may trade refinement for utility. Before regular road use, verify wheel condition, inflation, age, and overall mechanical health so the truck and tire package work together as intended.

Before driving a Ford F-150, check tire pressure, visible condition, tread and sidewall integrity, valve stems, wheel condition, and lug security. Make sure all four tires are the same size family and are mounted on the correct wheel diameter, because this range includes both 15-inch and 16.5-inch fitments. Also confirm that the tires suit the truck’s expected use, whether that is casual road driving, light hauling, or mostly display duty.

On an older Ford F-150, tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes steering, brakes, and suspension. Pay close attention after long storage, since collector trucks often sit far more than they drive. A short, careful test drive at moderate speed is a smart way to detect vibration, pull, or flat-spotting before committing to a longer outing.

Appropriate speed for a Ford F-150 depends heavily on the construction and condition of the tires fitted to it. A truck on bias-ply or truck-oriented period tires should be driven more conservatively than one on modern light-truck rubber, while the LR78-15 radial-style option may feel more settled at road speed if the rest of the truck is properly sorted. Tire age, wheel condition, and mechanical condition are as important as the size stamped on the sidewall.

The sensible approach with a vintage Ford F-150 is to build speed gradually and stay within the comfort range of the truck rather than trying to match modern highway behavior immediately. Freshly restored or long-stored trucks deserve extra caution until ride quality, tracking, and heat buildup have been evaluated. Smooth steering response and stable braking are better guides than speedometer ambition on an early F-150.