1958 Willys 226 Tires

The 1958 Willys 226 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the sub-model. The 4WD 6 Cyl. uses 700-16 bias-ply tires, while the 4x2 6 Cyl. uses 670-15 bias-ply tires. Those are not just different size codes; they also correspond to different wheel diameters.

That makes identification especially important before comparing products. Start by confirming whether the vehicle is a 4WD or 4x2 model, then verify the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle, since older Willys trucks are often modified over time. Once that is settled, the decision shifts toward sidewall style, series, and whether a radial-equivalent option is worth considering on the 15-inch setup.

A 1958 Willys 226 uses either a 16-inch rim or a 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 4WD 6 Cyl. pairs with the 700-16 fitment on a 16-inch wheel, while the 4x2 6 Cyl. uses the 670-15 fitment on a 15-inch wheel.

Wheel diameter is the first fitment check because the two primary sizes are built around different rims. Measuring the wheel already on the truck is especially wise on a vintage Willys, since replacement wheels and later swaps are common. After diameter is confirmed, compare rim width, tire profile, and clearance rather than assuming any same-era tire will suit the vehicle’s current setup.

No. The 1958 Willys 226 does not use one shared tire size across all covered sub-models. The 4WD 6 Cyl. uses 700-16 bias-ply tires, while the 4x2 6 Cyl. uses 670-15 bias-ply tires, so size selection changes with the configuration.

That difference affects more than the sidewall number. It changes wheel diameter, available product styles, and whether radial-equivalent choices are on the table, since the 670-15 fitment has radial alternatives and the 700-16 fitment here remains a bias-ply choice. Matching the tire to the exact sub-model helps narrow the field before comparing blackwall, whitewall, passenger-style, or utility-oriented designs.

For the 1958 Willys 226, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size used on the 4x2 6 Cyl. sub-model. The original fitment category here is bias-ply, not radial, and the available 670-15 products retain that traditional construction and period-style appearance.

A radial option can still be considered through equivalent sizing, but it should be treated as an alternative rather than the same construction. The main follow-up checks are wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance, especially if the truck has replacement wheels or suspension changes. Buyers focused on original-style presentation often stay with bias-ply, while road-use priorities may lead toward one of the radial equivalents.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. That group covers an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent that keeps a more traditional visual profile.

Those choices are useful because they give the 1958 Willys 226 4x2 owner several ways to approach a radial conversion without leaving the 15-inch wheel family. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, but the final decision should still account for wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before any change is made.

Begin with the basics: confirm which sub-model the vehicle is, verify the current wheel diameter, and match any radial alternative to the correct primary size. On this Willys, that question mainly applies to the 4x2 6 Cyl. with 670-15, since radial equivalents are available for that fitment.

The next step is checking the wheel itself and the vehicle around it. Rim width should suit the radial size being considered, and the tire’s section and overall dimensions need to clear the steering, suspension, and bodywork through full movement. Any aftermarket wheels, lowered stance, replacement springs, or brake changes deserve extra attention before making the shift from bias-ply construction.

Start with the exact fitment: 700-16 for the 4WD 6 Cyl. and 670-15 for the 4x2 6 Cyl. After size and wheel diameter are confirmed, the next decision is what kind of tire suits the truck’s use and character, whether that means a passenger-style bias-ply, a more utility-minded tread, or a radial-equivalent path on the 15-inch setup.

Appearance matters, but so do construction, rim-width compatibility, and load capacity. Some 700-16 choices lean toward truck or military presentation, while many 670-15 options emphasize traditional blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling. Looking at how the vehicle is driven, how original-looking it should appear, and what wheels are actually installed will narrow the field quickly.

Sidewall choices for the 1958 Willys 226 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall, depending on the tire size. The 700-16 fitment is available mainly in blackwall and wide whitewall, while the 670-15 fitment offers the broadest spread of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options.

That makes sidewall style an important part of the final decision once the correct size is confirmed. Blackwall often suits a work-truck or utility presentation, while whitewall treatments can push the truck toward a more restored or road-oriented look. Because the sidewall style varies within the same size, appearance can be tailored without leaving the proper fitment category.

Tire choices for the 1958 Willys 226 include brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Lester, Avon, Excelsior, Tornel, STA, and Coker Classic. Brand availability depends on the tire size, with the 670-15 fitment offering the widest spread of passenger-style selections.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It makes more sense to compare the exact size, the tire series, the sidewall treatment, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car presentation, truck duty, or military-style use. Once those points line up with the sub-model and wheel setup, the brand choice becomes part of a more complete fitment decision.

A period-style choice starts with using the proper primary size for the sub-model: 700-16 on the 4WD 6 Cyl. or 670-15 on the 4x2 6 Cyl. From there, a bias-ply tire usually preserves the most traditional look, and the available products range from plain blackwall to whitewall and more utility-oriented truck or military patterns.

The best visual match depends on how the Willys is being restored and how it is meant to present. A working-truck build may call for a straightforward blackwall or military-style tread, while a more road-focused restoration may lean toward whitewall treatments in 670-15. When exact originality matters, vehicle-specific historical references and marque expertise are worth consulting before settling on sidewall details.

Construction has a noticeable effect on how a restored 1958 Willys 226 looks. A bias-ply tire keeps the traditional sizing language and visual character associated with the truck’s original era, while a radial alternative can change the presentation even when it stays within an equivalent 15-inch fitment family.

That matters most on the 4x2 6 Cyl., where 670-15 has several radial-equivalent options, including a bias-look radial. A standard metric or P-metric radial may suit a driver-focused build, but it can read differently on a restoration than a bias-ply or bias-look design. The choice should reflect whether the goal is authentic visual character, easier road use, or a blend of both.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Willys 226 even when the truck started with one of the correct primary sizes. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, brake conversions, altered ride height, or body modifications can all affect how a 700-16 or 670-15 tire sits and clears the vehicle.

That is why the current setup matters as much as the original fitment category. A truck with aftermarket wheels may need closer attention to rim width and tire profile, and a lowered or lifted vehicle can introduce steering or fender-clearance issues. Checking the actual wheel and suspension package before choosing tires helps prevent a period-style selection from becoming a clearance problem.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting condition, and tire pressure, then look over the rest of the truck for anything that could affect clearance or handling. On a vintage Willys, it is also smart to verify that the steering and suspension move freely and that the tires clear through full lock and normal suspension travel.

A quick visual check should continue after installation and again after the first miles. Watch for rubbing marks, uneven stance, air loss, or unusual wear patterns that suggest an issue with alignment, wheel width, or suspension condition. Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so a cautious recheck is worthwhile even when the tires themselves are brand new.

Tires on a collector 1958 Willys 226 should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of slow air loss. Because vintage trucks are often driven less than modern vehicles, age and storage conditions can matter just as much as mileage when judging whether the tires are still roadworthy.

Good maintenance also means watching the environment around the truck. Long periods in direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or near ozone-producing equipment can shorten tire life even when the tread looks fine. Occasional movement, clean storage, and routine inspections before longer drives help preserve both bias-ply and radial-equivalent tires on a lightly used collector vehicle.