1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) Tires

The 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) uses two primary tire sizes: 650-16 and 700-15. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they are tied to different wheel diameters, so they are not simply alternate labels for the same setup. The Base sub-model is associated with both sizes.

The practical difference is that the correct tire depends on which wheels are actually on the car. A 650-16 belongs on a 16-inch rim, while a 700-15 belongs on a 15-inch rim. Before choosing sidewall style or brand, check the wheel diameter already fitted to the vehicle and make sure the rest of the wheel and suspension setup has not been altered over the years.

A 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) can use either a 16-inch rim with 650-16 tires or a 15-inch rim with 700-15 tires. Both wheel diameters appear on this vehicle's tire fitment range, which is why the tire decision starts with the wheel itself rather than the sidewall style.

Rim width also matters when comparing tires, especially if the car has replacement wheels or an older restoration. Many 650-16 passenger-style products are built around narrow vintage rims, while many 700-15 products assume a different wheel width range. Measure the wheel, confirm the tire size already mounted if possible, and inspect for any changes that could affect clearance or handling.

Both 650-16 and 700-15 are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes. In this system, the first number is the tire's nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, so 650 means about 6.50 inches and 700 means about 7.00 inches. The last number is the rim diameter in inches.

That sizing format is different from modern metric radial sizing, so it helps to read the code carefully before ordering. The change from 16-inch to 15-inch rim diameter is especially important here, because it means the two sizes belong to different wheel setups. Matching the sidewall number to the wheel already on the car is the safest starting point.

Start by confirming which of the two primary sizes your 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) actually uses, because 650-16 and 700-15 are not interchangeable choices for the same rim. Both are bias-ply sizes, so the next step is deciding whether the car needs a traditional passenger-car presentation, a wide whitewall look, or a more utility-oriented tread style.

After size and wheel diameter are verified, compare rim-width suitability, sidewall treatment, load figures where shown, and the intended use of the car. A restoration-minded sedan often points toward classic blackwall or wide whitewall passenger tires, while a different use case may lead someone to examine truck or military-style tread patterns more closely.

The main sidewall choices for the 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both styles appear in the vehicle's primary tire sizes, though the selection is broader in 650-16 than in 700-15. That gives owners room to choose between a more understated look and a stronger period-style visual statement.

Sidewall style should be matched to the car's restoration direction rather than chosen in isolation. A wide whitewall can change the character of a postwar Dodge dramatically, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained and utility-minded. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, compare the available sidewall treatments within that exact tire size instead of crossing to a different size for appearance alone.

Tires for the 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) are available from several vintage and specialty brands, including Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Goodyear, Garfield, Lester, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior. Brand coverage varies by size, with 650-16 offering the broadest spread of choices and 700-15 concentrating more heavily around Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA.

Brand alone should not make the decision. Compare the exact size, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or a more truck or military-style application. That approach keeps the selection focused on how the Dodge is equipped and how it will be driven, rather than on the name on the sidewall by itself.

A period-style 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) usually starts with staying in the correct primary bias-ply size already matched to the car's wheel diameter, either 650-16 or 700-15. From there, the look can range from blackwall to wide whitewall, depending on how formal or understated the finished car is meant to appear.

For many postwar restorations, the tire's visual impact is nearly as important as the size itself. The safest path is to confirm the actual wheel setup first, then compare the available passenger-style tread and sidewall treatments within that exact size. If exact originality matters, marque-specific restoration references can help narrow the most appropriate appearance for the individual car.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) because the tire influences stance, wheel-well presence, and the overall visual balance of a large postwar Dodge. Using the wrong rim diameter or choosing a tire style that does not suit the car can make an otherwise careful restoration look off immediately.

Fitment also matters beyond appearance. The right size must match the wheel on the car, and the wheel must suit the tire's intended rim-width range. Once that is settled, sidewall style and tire series become the details that shape the final presentation. Getting the basics right first keeps the restoration visually coherent and road-ready.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger), even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs around the fenders can all alter how much room the tire has and how it sits on the car.

That is especially important here because the Dodge can use either a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel setup. A car that has been changed over the decades may no longer match what an owner expects to find. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and the distance to fenders and suspension parts avoids surprises once the new tires are mounted.

Before driving a 1946 Dodge (7 Passenger) on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, confirm the tires are seated properly, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tires being used. It also helps to look over the valve stems, wheel hardware, and general tread and sidewall condition after installation.

A short, careful road test is a smart follow-up on any collector car. Listen for rubbing, check steering response, and recheck air pressure after the first drive. Since older cars may have dormant suspension or brake issues that appear once they are used again, a quick visual check for clearance, leaks, and unusual wear can prevent bigger problems.

Collector-car tires in 650-16 or 700-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on a low-use vintage Dodge deserve attention even when tread wear is minimal, because age, long parked periods, and environmental exposure can affect condition long before the tread is worn out.

Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or recurring air loss, and inspect them more often before longer drives. Storing the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber. Periodic wheel and suspension checks are also worthwhile, since alignment or component wear can shorten tire life on a heavy postwar passenger car.