Jeep Truck Truck J-20 Tires
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 was one of the heavy-duty full-size Jeep pickups of the 1970s, built for work, hauling, and four-wheel-drive utility during an era when truck tire choices still varied widely by intended use. Produced from 1975 through 1979 in this fitment group, Jeep Truck Truck J-20 can wear several different tire sizes rather than a single universal replacement. The main complication is wheel diameter, because the listings include both 16-inch and 16.5-inch fitments across the same production years, with multiple sizes appearing in several years. Before choosing a tire for a Jeep Truck Truck J-20, the first step is to confirm whether the truck actually carries 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 Tire Size Guide
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 fitments in this group use 4 distinct tire sizes from 1975 through 1979, and the most important detail is that wheel diameter varies between 16-inch and 16.5-inch applications. The sizes listed here are numeric bias-ply truck sizes, so the first number is the nominal section width with the decimal omitted and the second number is the wheel diameter in inches. Several years include both 16-inch and 16.5-inch options, so wheel measurement comes before tire selection.
800-16.5 fits Jeep Truck Truck J-20 applications from 1975 through 1978 that use 16.5-inch wheels. In this numeric truck size, 800 indicates a nominal 8.00-inch section width and 16.5 is the rim diameter, with available products built for 16.5-inch rims. Choose this size for trucks already equipped with the narrower 16.5-inch fitment rather than 16-inch wheels, and because the available products are bias-ply truck tires, a tube is required.
950-16.5 appears on Jeep Truck Truck J-20 across 1975 through 1979 for trucks using the larger-section 16.5-inch wheel fitment. The 950 prefix denotes a nominal 9.50-inch section width and 16.5 is the rim diameter, with listed products built for 16.5-inch rims. Choose this size only if the truck is already set up for the wider 16.5-inch application, and because the available products are bias-ply truck tires, a tube is required.
750-16 fits Jeep Truck Truck J-20 from 1975 through 1978 when the truck carries 16-inch wheels instead of 16.5-inch wheels. The 750 prefix denotes a nominal 7.50-inch section width and 16 is the rim diameter, with listed products built for 16-inch rims. Choose this size for 16-inch wheel applications and for buyers deciding between blackwall, whitewall, highway, traction, or military-style bias-ply options, and a tube is required.
875-16.5 is listed for Jeep Truck Truck J-20 from 1975 through 1979 on 16.5-inch wheel applications. The 875 prefix denotes a nominal 8.75-inch section width and 16.5 is the rim diameter, with available products built for 16.5-inch rims. Choose this size when the truck already carries 16.5-inch wheels and the goal is a period-style bias-ply truck tire, and a tube is required.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 buyers looking at 1975 through 1978 should identify the truck's specific configuration before selecting a size, because those years include both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel fitments.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 Tires by Year
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 production in this fitment group uses both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheels, so confirm which rim diameter the specific truck carries before selecting a tire. In 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978, more than two sizes are listed, reflecting a wheel-diameter split between 16-inch and 16.5-inch applications. Use the year listing to narrow the choices first, then match the truck's actual wheel diameter and tire size.
1975 Jeep Truck Truck J-20
- 800-16.5
- 950-16.5
- 750-16
- 875-16.5
1976 Jeep Truck Truck J-20
- 800-16.5
- 950-16.5
- 750-16
- 875-16.5
1977 Jeep Truck Truck J-20
- 800-16.5
- 950-16.5
- 750-16
- 875-16.5
1978 Jeep Truck Truck J-20
- 800-16.5
- 950-16.5
- 750-16
- 875-16.5
1979 Jeep Truck Truck J-20
- 875-16.5
- 950-16.5
Best Jeep Truck Truck J-20 Tires for Sale
Available Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires include 16 products from 4 brands across 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes. Confirm the correct size and wheel diameter on the truck before selecting, especially where 16-inch and 16.5-inch fitments overlap.
800-16.5 Products
These are the available products for 800-16.5.
950-16.5 Products
These are the available products for 950-16.5.
750-16 Products
These are the available products for 750-16.
875-16.5 Products
These are the available products for 875-16.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below focus on the tricky parts of Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tire selection, especially the split between 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheels, the meaning of older numeric truck sizes, and the difference between passenger-style and heavy-duty truck-oriented offerings.
Size Basics & Fitment
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 uses four sizes in this year group: 750-16 for 1975 through 1978, 800-16.5 for 1975 through 1978, 875-16.5 for 1975 through 1979, and 950-16.5 for 1975 through 1979. The 750-16 size fits 16-inch wheels, while 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 fit 16.5-inch wheels.
That means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Jeep Truck Truck J-20, especially from 1975 to 1978 when both wheel diameters appear. Start by reading the existing tire size on the truck and confirming the wheel diameter stamped on the wheel or measured at the bead seat, then match the tire to the actual wheel rather than assuming every J-20 used the same setup.
On a Jeep Truck Truck J-20, the size 750-16 is an older numeric bias-ply truck designation. The 750 portion stands for a nominal 7.50-inch section width, and the 16 indicates a 16-inch rim diameter. In this fitment group, products in 750-16 are bias-ply tires offered in both blackwall and whitewall forms, along with military and highway-style truck tread options.
A modern buyer should read 750-16 as both a size and a wheel requirement. If a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 has 16.5-inch wheels, a 750-16 tire will not fit correctly even if the truck appears similar to another J-20 from the same year. Confirm the wheel first, then choose the tread style and sidewall style that best match the truck's intended use and restoration goals.
A 1976 Jeep Truck Truck J-20 has four tire sizes listed because that model year includes more than one wheel and tire configuration. The sizes split between one 16-inch fitment, 750-16, and three 16.5-inch fitments, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5. That is a wheel-diameter split first, with additional variation in tire section width among the 16.5-inch options.
The practical takeaway is that the exact truck configuration matters more than the calendar year by itself. A buyer should verify the wheels currently on the Jeep Truck Truck J-20, check whether the truck is being restored to a specific original configuration or kept in service trim, and then select the size that matches both the wheel diameter and the intended heavy-duty or cosmetic use.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 uses both 16-inch and 16.5-inch rim diameters in this fitment group. The 750-16 size is built for a 16-inch rim, while 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 are built for 16.5-inch rims. From 1975 through 1978, both diameters appear in the same production years, and 1979 shows only 16.5-inch sizes.
That split makes rim verification the single most important fitment check on a Jeep Truck Truck J-20. Do not assume a tire will fit because the numbers look close; a 16-inch tire and a 16.5-inch tire are not interchangeable. Inspect the wheel stamping or verify the existing mounted tire size before replacing anything, especially on trucks that may have had wheels changed during their working lives.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1978 Jeep Truck Truck J-20 can use 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5, so the correct size depends on the wheel diameter and the specific setup on the truck. The 750-16 size requires a 16-inch wheel, while the other three sizes require 16.5-inch wheels. Within the 16.5-inch group, the difference is primarily tire section width.
The safest approach is to inspect the existing tire sidewall, verify the wheel size at the rim, and compare the truck against any restoration records or long-term ownership history. On a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 that has seen decades of use, wheel swaps are common enough that visual similarity is not a reliable guide. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, then choose the width and tread style that match the truck's working or restored role.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires in this fitment group are offered in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 16.5-inch truck sizes are blackwall only, while the 750-16 size includes both blackwall and wide whitewall choices. That gives the 16-inch fitment the broadest cosmetic range, including more traditional passenger-style restoration looks alongside truck-oriented tread patterns.
For a work-truck appearance, blackwall is the straightforward period-appropriate choice for most Jeep Truck Truck J-20 applications. Wide whitewalls are more specialized and make the most sense when the truck is being built with a custom look or to match a particular restored appearance on a 16-inch wheel setup. The right sidewall style should follow the wheel diameter first and the truck's intended character second.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires in this fitment group come from STA, Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. STA covers all four listed sizes and supplies most of the heavy-duty 16-inch and 16.5-inch truck-oriented options. Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich appear in the 750-16 size, where there is a broader mix of blackwall, whitewall, military, and classic bias-ply offerings.
Brand choice on a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 often follows how the truck will be used and presented. A buyer chasing a stronger utility or military look will naturally spend more time in the STA and Firestone truck-style selections, while a restoration with more visual emphasis may lean toward the whitewall options in 750-16. Decide the wheel diameter first, then compare brands within that correct size group.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires in this group are offered in several series, including Super Transport, Traxion, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Super Traxion, and Transport Highway. Those names reflect different intended styles and uses, ranging from classic passenger-style bias-ply designs in 750-16 to more truck, highway, traction, and military-oriented bias-ply options in both 16-inch and 16.5-inch sizes.
The important point is to separate cosmetic restoration goals from working-truck needs. On a Jeep Truck Truck J-20, a classic bias-ply whitewall series creates a very different look from a Transport Highway or Traxion pattern, even if the tire size is technically correct. Once the size and wheel diameter are settled, compare series by tread character, load emphasis, and the overall period appearance you want the truck to project.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Jeep Truck Truck J-20 should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires inflated appropriately for storage, avoid prolonged contact with petroleum products, and move the truck occasionally if it remains on the ground for long periods. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat spotting when a heavy truck sits in one position.
If a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 will be parked for an extended period, many collectors reduce strain by using jack stands or tire cradles while keeping the suspension supported correctly. Storage habits matter more on a heavy pickup than on a lighter collector car because the load carried by each tire is greater. Good storage preserves both the casing shape and the appearance of the sidewalls.
Tires on a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Check for cracking, weathering, tread separation, impact damage, irregular wear, and any signs that the bead area or tube-equipped assembly has been stressed. On older bias-ply truck tires, sidewall condition and casing age matter just as much as visible tread depth.
A practical routine is to give the Jeep Truck Truck J-20 a quick walk-around every time it leaves the garage, then perform a closer inspection after periods of storage or before highway use. Also verify inflation pressure with an accurate gauge, since underinflation and overload are especially hard on vintage truck tires. If anything looks questionable, have the assembly examined by a shop familiar with collector and bias-ply tires.
Tires on a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, impact damage, or repeated air-loss issues show that the casing is no longer trustworthy, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector vehicles often wear out tires by time and storage conditions rather than mileage. A heavy truck puts substantial load into an aging tire, so visible tread depth is only one part of the evaluation.
The right time to replace Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires is before they become a road-risk, not after a failure. Any tire with uncertain age, long idle storage, or obvious sidewall deterioration deserves close attention, especially on a vehicle that may carry weight or see higher road speeds than a parade-only collector car. Replacement intervals should be guided by condition, age, and specialist inspection rather than tread alone.
Restoration & Authenticity
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 is associated here with 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes, along with several bias-ply series ranging from classic passenger-style designs to truck, traction, highway, and military-oriented patterns. Because multiple sizes and series appear across the same production years, there is not a single one-size answer that covers every truck in this group.
For an accurate restoration, the best approach is to match the Jeep Truck Truck J-20 to its specific wheel diameter, surviving factory paperwork, older photos, and marque-club knowledge. That research will tell you whether the goal should be a more work-oriented blackwall truck tire or a more stylized 16-inch classic bias-ply presentation. Authenticity comes from matching the individual truck's configuration, not just the model name.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and tread character all influence whether the truck looks properly sorted for its era and purpose. A truck restored with the wrong diameter tire may appear incorrect immediately, even to a casual observer familiar with vintage four-wheel-drive pickups.
For value and judging, the strongest result usually comes from choosing a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tire that matches the truck's exact configuration and intended presentation. A working restoration may call for blackwall truck tread, while a more personalized or show-oriented build on 16-inch wheels could justify a whitewall bias-ply choice. Marque clubs and period photos are especially helpful when deciding how strict the restoration needs to be.
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 tires in this group are available in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, but they do not apply equally across all sizes. The 16.5-inch sizes are blackwall only, while 750-16 includes both blackwall and wide whitewall options. That means sidewall correctness depends first on whether the truck is a 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheel application.
Most factory-style Jeep Truck Truck J-20 restorations will lean toward blackwall because it suits the truck's heavy-duty character and is the only style offered in the 16.5-inch sizes here. Wide whitewalls become a more specialized choice for a 16-inch setup, especially where the build has a custom, display, or period-accessory flavor. The right answer is the one that matches the wheel size and the intended restoration theme.
Safety & Road Use
Jeep Truck Truck J-20 can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size for the wheels, are in sound condition, and are used within their intended load and service role. The available tires in this group are bias-ply designs, and many are clearly truck-oriented in tread and construction. Public-road suitability depends as much on condition, inflation, suspension, steering, and brake condition as it does on the size printed on the sidewall.
Before regular road use, make sure the Jeep Truck Truck J-20 has matched tires on the correct wheel diameter and that the entire chassis is ready for service. A truck that still carries old, cracked, mismatched, or poorly fitted tires should be corrected before road miles are added. Collector-truck safety comes from the complete combination of tire condition, wheel fit, and mechanical readiness.
Before driving a Jeep Truck Truck J-20, check inflation pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel diameter correctness, lug hardware, and any signs of rubbing or bead-seat trouble. On a model with both 16-inch and 16.5-inch fitments in the same era, confirming that the tire size matches the wheel is especially important. Also look for age cracking, uneven wear, and any indication that the truck has sat for a long time without inspection.
A good pre-drive routine for a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 also includes checking steering response, brakes, and whether the truck tracks straight at low speed before moving into normal traffic. Bias-ply tires often communicate problems through wander, vibration, or pull if pressures are off or the truck has alignment issues. Catching those signs early is far easier than dealing with them once the truck is fully loaded or at speed.
Appropriate speed for a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 on period-style bias-ply tires should be conservative and matched to the tire's condition, the truck's mechanical state, and the road environment. A restored truck on fresh, correctly fitted bias-ply tires can be driven normally within sensible collector-vehicle limits, but it will not feel the same as a modern radial-equipped truck. Stability, braking feel, and lane-tracking all require more attention.
The practical rule for a Jeep Truck Truck J-20 is to build speed gradually and let the truck tell you what is comfortable and stable. If the steering feels vague, the tires flat-spot after storage, or the truck reacts poorly to grooves and crosswinds, slow down and inspect the setup. Sensible speeds, proper inflation, and a realistic understanding of vintage truck behavior make road use far safer and more enjoyable.