Willys Wagoneer Tires

Willys Wagoneer models from 1960 through 1963 use two listed tire sizes: 670-15 and 710-15. Both are numeric bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims. The 670-15 products generally pair with rim widths around 4.50 to 5.00 inches, while the 710-15 products generally pair with rim widths around 5.00 to 5.50 inches. That means the year alone does not narrow the Willys Wagoneer to a single size.

The practical step is to inspect the wheels already on the Willys Wagoneer and compare the existing tire size, wheel width, and overall stance. A narrower 670-15 and a wider 710-15 can both be period-appropriate, but they should match the wheel they are being mounted on. Treat the year chart as a starting point, then verify the actual wheel and any restoration choices before making the final selection.

On a Willys Wagoneer, 670-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size designation. The 670 represents a nominal 6.70-inch section width with the decimal omitted, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not carry the aspect-ratio information you would expect from later radial markings. Across the Willys Wagoneer range here, 670-15 appears in every model year from 1960 through 1963.

That older code matters because a modern buyer may assume any 15-inch tire with a similar overall look will interchange cleanly, which is not always true on a collector vehicle. The Willys Wagoneer should keep a tire that matches both the wheel diameter and the wheel width range intended for the size. If you are restoring for an original bias-ply look and steering feel, 670-15 remains the narrower of the two listed sizes.

A 1960 Willys Wagoneer has both 670-15 and 710-15 listed because more than one numeric bias-ply fitment was used within that model year. Both sizes are for 15-inch wheels, so the split is not caused by a rim diameter change. Instead, the difference is in nominal section width and the wheel width each size is intended to suit. The same two-size pattern continues through 1961, 1962, and 1963 as well.

That means a Willys Wagoneer owner should identify the exact wheel setup on the vehicle rather than choosing only by year. Check the tire size already fitted if the vehicle has an established restoration history, and measure or verify the wheel width if the wheels may have been changed. Matching the tire to the wheel preserves the proper profile, helps the tire seat correctly, and keeps the vehicle’s stance consistent with the intended setup.

The Willys Wagoneer sizes listed here are all numeric bias-ply tires: 670-15 and 710-15. With bias-ply collector tires in these vintage formats and no tubeless notation present, a tube is required. That applies across the 1960 through 1963 Willys Wagoneer range in this set of fitments. Tube use is part of the correct installation practice for these period-style tires.

A Willys Wagoneer owner should also make sure the wheel itself is clean, straight, and suitable for tube-type service before mounting new tires. Old wheels can have rust, pitting, or burrs that shorten tube life and create avoidable leaks. When a collector utility vehicle is driven only occasionally, proper tube installation becomes even more important because slow losses of pressure are often missed between uses.

A 1962 Willys Wagoneer can use either 670-15 or 710-15, and both are 15-inch bias-ply sizes. The deciding factors are the wheel width, the size already associated with the vehicle, and the look or restoration direction you are trying to maintain. The 670-15 products generally suit narrower rims than the 710-15 products. Since both sizes appear in the same year, the vehicle itself has to provide the final answer.

Start by reading any old tire markings still present, then inspect the wheel width and compare it to the typical ranges used by each size. If the Willys Wagoneer has been restored before, period photos, service receipts, or build notes can be useful clues. Keeping the same size at all four corners is the usual collector-vehicle approach unless a specialist has established a different configuration for a specific use.

Willys Wagoneer tires in these sizes are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Both 670-15 and 710-15 include blackwall choices, and both sizes also offer whitewall options in varying widths. That gives the Willys Wagoneer owner flexibility to stay close to a work-oriented utility appearance or lean into a more dressed-up early-1960s presentation. The sidewall style changes appearance, but not the underlying size designation.

Blackwalls usually make the most sense for a straightforward truck or utility restoration, while whitewalls can suit a more upscale period look if that matches the specific Willys Wagoneer. The important point is to decide on size first and sidewall style second. Once the correct 670-15 or 710-15 fitment is confirmed, the sidewall choice becomes a matter of restoration character rather than basic compatibility.

The Willys Wagoneer tires listed here come from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, and STA. Those brands appear across the two listed sizes, with the broadest selection in 670-15 and a somewhat smaller selection in 710-15. Several of them are offered in classic bias-ply series, and some appear in both blackwall and whitewall variations. Brand choice therefore sits alongside size, sidewall style, and intended use.

For a Willys Wagoneer owner, the right brand often depends on restoration goals more than raw fitment because multiple brands cover the same size. Some buyers prioritize a particular sidewall width, while others want a specific period-style tread family or a utility-oriented blackwall look. Once you know whether your Willys Wagoneer needs 670-15 or 710-15, you can narrow the options by appearance and by the type of driving the vehicle will actually see.

The Willys Wagoneer products span several series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, Turbospeed Mk4, Excelsior Bias Ply, and Super Transport. Most are classic bias-ply passenger or light truck style offerings, while Super Transport points toward a more truck-oriented family. The series names mainly distinguish brand styling, tread family, and intended period presentation within the same basic size category.

A Willys Wagoneer owner should first treat size as the non-negotiable choice, then use series to refine the vehicle’s look and purpose. A utility-minded restoration may favor a plainer blackwall or truck-leaning series, while a more upscale presentation may call for a whitewall passenger-style series. Because all listed products remain bias-ply here, the series decision is about character and application more than switching to a different construction technology.

A Willys Wagoneer stored on its tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and moisture. Electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and heaters can all accelerate rubber aging. Inflation should be checked before storage and again when the vehicle is returned to use, because collector tires often lose pressure gradually during long periods of inactivity. Clean floors and stable temperatures help preserve both the casing and the sidewalls.

If the Willys Wagoneer will sit for months at a time, move it occasionally or use stands appropriately so one section of each tire is not constantly carrying the full load. Avoid parking on bare earth, oily concrete, or surfaces that hold water. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector utility vehicle, because age, heat, and underinflation can shorten tire life even when tread wear is minimal.

Tires on a Willys Wagoneer should be visually inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check at regular intervals even if the vehicle is used only occasionally. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, punctures, uneven wear, and signs of tube or valve issues. On a bias-ply collector tire, small changes in appearance or feel can matter more quickly than on a modern daily-driver radial. Regular inspection is a normal part of operating an early utility vehicle safely.

A practical routine is to check inflation, tread, and sidewalls each time the Willys Wagoneer comes out of storage, then inspect the wheels and tubes during seasonal service. If the steering begins to feel different or the vehicle starts pulling, do not assume it is only an alignment issue. Catching a casing problem early helps protect the wheel, the tube, and the rest of the vehicle from damage.

A Willys Wagoneer tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, persistent air loss, casing separation, or deformation appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, especially on vehicles that see infrequent use. Bias-ply construction can mask age-related decline until the tire is closely examined, so tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability. Time, storage conditions, and inspection results all matter.

The right approach is to have the Willys Wagoneer tires evaluated whenever there is any doubt about age or condition, particularly before longer drives or higher sustained road speeds. Replacement should be considered part of preventive care rather than the final step after a visible failure. For a low-use collector vehicle, replacing old tires on schedule is often cheaper and safer than risking damage to the vehicle or losing confidence in how it drives.

The Willys Wagoneer is associated here with two original-style numeric bias-ply sizes: 670-15 and 710-15, both used from 1960 through 1963. Multiple period-style series are represented as well, including classic bias-ply lines from Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal, and others. That tells you there was more than one period-appropriate path within the correct size family, rather than a single universal answer for every Willys Wagoneer. The original size for a specific truck depends on its wheel and factory-era configuration.

For restoration work, the most useful references are the wheel actually on the vehicle, surviving original tires or spare, and marque-specific paperwork. Once the correct 670-15 or 710-15 size is established, the rest of the decision becomes one of appearance and authenticity level. A carefully chosen blackwall or whitewall bias-ply can make the Willys Wagoneer look convincingly right without stepping outside the period size range.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Willys Wagoneer is viewed in restoration circles, especially when the vehicle is presented for judging or offered to a knowledgeable collector. Size, sidewall style, and overall stance all influence whether the vehicle looks faithful to its era. A Willys Wagoneer wearing the proper 15-inch numeric bias-ply size and an appropriate sidewall treatment will usually present more convincingly than one wearing a visually mismatched substitute. Authenticity is often seen before it is measured.

From a value standpoint, buyers and judges tend to notice details that support the story of a careful restoration. The best approach is to match the tire size to the wheel and to the particular personality of the Willys Wagoneer, whether that means a more utilitarian blackwall or a more polished whitewall presentation. Marque clubs and period reference materials remain the strongest tie-breakers when several period-looking options are available.

A Willys Wagoneer restoration can be finished with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall tires within the listed sizes. Blackwall options appear in both 670-15 and 710-15 and usually suit the straightforward utility character many owners want. Narrow and wide whitewalls are also available in both sizes and can fit a more upscale early-1960s presentation. The correct look depends on how the particular Willys Wagoneer was equipped and how faithfully you want to mirror that appearance.

Most restorers should decide sidewall style only after the proper size is settled, because a beautiful whitewall in the wrong width class will still look wrong on the vehicle. Period photos, brochures, and survivor examples are helpful when choosing between blackwall and whitewall styles. If the Willys Wagoneer is being restored as a working four-wheel-drive, blackwalls often read most naturally; if it is being restored as a more refined wagon, whitewalls may be the better fit.

These Willys Wagoneer tires are period-style bias-ply products, and when they are correctly sized, properly installed, and in sound condition, they can be appropriate for public-road use on a collector vehicle. They are not the same as modern high-speed touring radials, and they should be treated with the expectations that belong to an early-1960s utility vehicle. Correct inflation, proper tube use, and wheel condition are central to safe service. Tire age and storage history also matter as much as visible tread.

A Willys Wagoneer owner should drive within the limits of the vehicle, the tire construction, and current mechanical condition rather than expecting modern-car behavior. If the vehicle wanders, vibrates, or feels unstable, inspect the tires and chassis before further road use. Thoughtful setup and realistic use are what make a collector tire workable on public roads, not simply the fact that the tire bolts onto the wheel.

Before driving a Willys Wagoneer, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of tube leakage or wheel damage. Because both listed sizes are bias-ply 15-inch fitments, also make sure all four tires match in size and general condition. Look for cracking, bulges, embedded objects, or wear that suggests an alignment or suspension problem. A quick walk-around can catch issues that become much more serious once the vehicle is moving.

The Willys Wagoneer should also have its steering, brakes, and wheel fasteners checked regularly, especially if it has been sitting between drives. Collector vehicles often spend long periods inactive, and that storage pattern can be harder on tires than steady use. A few minutes of inspection before each outing builds confidence and helps preserve both the tires and the originality of the vehicle.

A Willys Wagoneer on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that suit an early-1960s utility vehicle rather than pushed as if it were on modern radials. The tire construction, steering feel, braking distances, and suspension behavior all reflect an earlier design era. Even when new, bias-ply tires deliver a different response to ruts, crosswinds, and abrupt maneuvers. Appropriate speed is therefore as much about preserving stability and control as it is about tire durability.

In practice, a Willys Wagoneer owner should build speed gradually, avoid sustained high-speed cruising unless the entire vehicle is sorted, and leave generous distance for braking and lane changes. Freshly restored trucks should be driven conservatively until the tires, suspension, and steering are all proven together. Smooth inputs and realistic pace are part of using a period-correct collector tire properly, especially on a taller utility vehicle.