1959 Willys Utility Wagon Tires

The 1959 Willys Utility Wagon uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 650-16, 670-15, and 700-15. The 4x2 sub-model uses 650-16 or 670-15, while the 4x4 uses 650-16 or 700-15, so there is not one universal size for every wagon.

The practical choice starts with confirming the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the vehicle. A wagon that now has different wheels than it left the factory with may need a different tire strategy than one still running its original setup, especially since this range includes both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments.

A 1959 Willys Utility Wagon can use either a 16-inch rim or a 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 650-16 tire uses a 16-inch rim, while both 670-15 and 700-15 use 15-inch rims.

That difference matters because the tire size cannot be chosen correctly until the actual wheel diameter is verified on the vehicle. Many vintage utility vehicles have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the wheel itself is more reliable than assuming the current tire or sub-model automatically settles the question.

No. The 1959 Willys Utility Wagon 4x2 uses 650-16 or 670-15, while the 1959 Willys Utility Wagon 4x4 uses 650-16 or 700-15. Both sub-models share 650-16, but each also has a different secondary 15-inch size.

That shared 650-16 size can make fitment seem simpler than it is, especially on a vehicle that has been restored or modified over time. The safest path is to identify the sub-model first, then confirm the wheels and compare the tire choices that match the wagon’s intended appearance and actual use.

On the 1959 Willys Utility Wagon, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is one of the original fitment formats used on 15-inch wheels, and the available product selection in that size is centered on traditional bias-ply construction.

That matters because a buyer may see both bias-ply tires and radial equivalents associated with 670-15 and assume they are the same thing. They are not. Keeping the bias-ply size and construction supports a more traditional presentation, while moving to a radial alternative requires checking wheel width, vehicle stance, and clearance before making the change.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each one keeps the 15-inch rim diameter while using a different sizing convention or profile style.

Those options are useful comparison points rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5-7 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the wagon’s wheel width, actual tire clearance, and the type of appearance you want, especially if a more vintage sidewall look is important.

Start by confirming that the wagon actually uses the 670-15 size, since that is the primary size with stated radial equivalents here. Then verify the wheel diameter, measure wheel width, and compare the radial-equivalent size you are considering, whether that is 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, or 670R15.

The conversion decision should also account for steering clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components. A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but a vintage wagon with replacement wheels, sagging springs, or altered ride height may respond differently than a stock-height vehicle on original-width wheels.

The first consideration is the correct primary size for the wagon: 650-16, 670-15, or 700-15. From there, the key factors are wheel diameter, construction, intended use, and whether the vehicle is being kept in a more passenger-style presentation or a more truck-oriented utility setup.

After size is settled, compare sidewall style, tread character, rim-width compatibility, and load figures where they are shown. A whitewall bias-ply can suit a restoration-oriented wagon very differently than a blackwall transport or military-style tire, even when both are offered in the same basic size.

Sidewall choices for the 1959 Willys Utility Wagon include blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall, depending on the tire size. The widest variety appears in 670-15, while 650-16 includes blackwall and wide whitewall options, and 700-15 centers mainly on blackwall with some wide whitewall choices.

That range gives the wagon owner room to match the tire’s appearance to the vehicle’s purpose. A whitewall treatment can lean toward a more polished period-style wagon look, while blackwall and truck-oriented tread patterns often better suit utility-focused builds, off-road character, or a simpler restoration approach.

Tires for the 1959 Willys Utility Wagon are available from brands including Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, STA, Tornel, and Avon. Brand availability varies by size, so not every name appears in every fitment.

The useful comparison is less about choosing a brand in isolation and more about comparing what each brand offers in the correct size. Some options emphasize whitewall styling, some focus on blackwall passenger tires, and others move into military or truck-style series that better match a utility-minded wagon build.

A period-style 1959 Willys Utility Wagon usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the sub-model and wheel diameter, then narrows by sidewall and tread style. Depending on size, that can mean a blackwall or whitewall passenger-style tire, or a more utility-focused truck pattern that still keeps the vintage bias-ply look.

The right choice depends on how the wagon is being interpreted. A more polished restoration may call for a whitewall presentation, while a work-oriented or four-wheel-drive look may suit blackwall or truck-style tread better. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references and period vehicle documentation.

Tire construction has a strong visual effect on a restored 1959 Willys Utility Wagon because its primary fitments are bias-ply sizes. A bias-ply tire typically preserves the traditional proportions and vintage presentation most buyers expect to see on a late-1950s utility wagon.

A radial alternative, where available, can change the visual character even if it stays close in general size and uses the same rim diameter. That is especially relevant with 670-15, where metric and P-metric radial equivalents exist alongside a bias-look radial meant to retain a more traditional sidewall appearance.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Willys Utility Wagon even when the tire size looks correct on paper. Wheel swaps, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lift or lowering work, and body or brake changes can all affect how a 650-16, 670-15, or 700-15 tire sits on the vehicle.

That is especially important here because the wagon uses both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments across its range. A modified vehicle should be checked for steering travel, inner-fender space, and overall wheel compatibility before new tires are installed, rather than assuming the sub-model alone tells the whole fitment story.

Before putting a 1959 Willys Utility Wagon into service on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that lug hardware seats properly, and make sure the tires have adequate clearance through full steering movement. It also helps to look over the brakes, wheel bearings, and suspension for age-related issues.

Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire being used, and the sidewalls and tread should be checked after the first few drives for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. On an older utility vehicle, small alignment or component problems can show up quickly once fresh tires are installed.

Tires on a collector 1959 Willys Utility Wagon should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the vehicle is driven only occasionally. Collector vehicles often age their tires by time and storage conditions as much as by mileage, so visual condition matters as much as remaining tread.

Proper inflation, clean storage, and periodic movement help reduce flat spotting and stress on one section of the casing. Keeping the wagon away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors can also help preserve the tires, whether the vehicle runs whitewalls, blackwalls, or truck-style bias-ply tires.