1973 Dodge Pickup Tires

A 1973 Dodge Pickup can use several tire sizes, including G78-15, H78-15, L78-15, LR78-15, 700-15, 750-16, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, 8.00R16.5, 8.75R16.5, and 9.50R16.5. The correct fitment depends on the exact D-Series or W-Series truck, along with GVWR, wheelbase, dual-rear-wheel status, and certain snow-plow applications.

That means there is no single tire size for every 1973 Dodge Pickup. Start by confirming the exact sub-model and then checking the wheel diameter on the truck, because 15-inch, 16-inch, and 16.5-inch applications all appear in this model year and should not be mixed.

A 1973 Dodge Pickup may use 15-inch, 16-inch, or 16.5-inch rims depending on the exact configuration. Lighter-duty trucks commonly appear with 15-inch fitments, certain snow-plow applications use 16-inch fitment, and many heavier-duty D200, D300, W200, and W300 trucks use 16.5-inch wheels.

Rim diameter is one of the first things to verify before choosing a tire, especially on trucks that may have been changed over the years. A 16-inch tire does not belong on a 16.5-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true, so the wheel itself should be confirmed before shopping by size.

The 1973 Dodge Pickup covers a broad range of half-ton, three-quarter-ton, one-ton, two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, snow-plow, and dual-rear-wheel applications. Because those trucks were built for different load ranges and wheel setups, the fitment spans multiple sizes, rim diameters, and in some cases both bias-ply and radial construction.

That variety makes the exact truck configuration more important than the model name alone. The safest approach is to identify the sub-model, GVWR, and wheel diameter first, then compare the tire options within that specific fitment rather than assuming another Dodge Pickup size will cross over.

G78-15 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1973 Dodge Pickup. It uses the vintage alphanumeric bias-ply format and appears on certain 15-inch light-duty truck applications rather than as a radial fitment.

That matters because a G78-15 truck owner may be deciding whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or consider one of the radial equivalents tied to that size. Before making a change, check wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance so the alternative matches the actual truck setup.

G78-15 has radial equivalents in 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15. H78-15 corresponds to 215R15, P225/75R15, P235/70R15, and 760R15. L78-15 corresponds to 235R15, P235/75R15, P255/70R15, and 820R15, with the first group being 80-series metric, then 75-series P-metric, 70-series P-metric, and bias-look radial formats.

Those choices give a buyer several ways to compare a traditional bias-ply size with modern radial sizing conventions. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 6-8 inches, but wheel compatibility, truck clearance, and the actual stance of the vehicle should still be checked before changing size format or construction.

Start by confirming that the truck's original bias-ply size has a recognized radial equivalent, then verify wheel diameter and rim-width suitability for the radial being considered. On a 1973 Dodge Pickup, that question is most relevant for certain 15-inch bias-ply sizes such as G78-15, H78-15, and L78-15.

A conversion also deserves a close look at steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the truck's current ride height or wheel setup. Older pickups are often modified over time, so a radial alternative should be treated as a fitment to evaluate carefully rather than an automatic one-size swap.

Begin with the exact fitment: sub-model, GVWR, wheelbase, drive type, and wheel diameter all matter on a 1973 Dodge Pickup. Once the correct size is identified, the next factors are construction type, rim-width compatibility where stated, sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the truck is being kept in a restoration-minded style or used more regularly on the road.

The best comparison is within the correct size rather than across the whole model range. A light-duty 15-inch pickup and a heavy-duty 16.5-inch truck may both be 1973 Dodge Pickups, but they call for very different tires and should be evaluated based on their actual wheel and service setup.

Sidewall styles available for 1973 Dodge Pickup tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and dual-white-stripe treatments, depending on the tire size. Many of the heavier-duty truck sizes stay strictly blackwall, while some 15-inch and 16-inch sizes offer more appearance-oriented whitewall options.

That makes sidewall choice part of the selection process only after the correct tire size is confirmed. A work-focused D200 or W300 may naturally lead toward blackwall truck tires, while a lighter-duty pickup on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels may offer a more restoration-oriented sidewall presentation.

Tires for the 1973 Dodge Pickup are available from Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, and STA, depending on the size. Some sizes have only one brand represented, while others offer a broader spread of classic passenger-style and truck-oriented product lines.

Brand choice should come after the fitment is narrowed correctly. Once the right size is established, compare the available brands by construction, sidewall style, tire series, and any stated rim-width or load details that matter to the way the truck is equipped and driven.

A period-style choice for a 1973 Dodge Pickup starts with the tire size and construction that belong to the exact truck configuration. Many applications use bias-ply sizing in vintage alphanumeric or numeric formats, while certain 15-inch and 16.5-inch applications also introduce radial-format choices that still suit an older truck presentation.

After the size is settled, look at the tire series and sidewall treatment that match the character of the build. For restoration work where exact originality matters, vehicle-specific references such as marque-club guidance or factory literature are worth checking before deciding on a whitewall, blackwall, or radial-look presentation.

Tire construction can change the visual character of a restored 1973 Dodge Pickup even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A bias-ply tire preserves a more traditional vintage profile, while radial-format tires, including bias-look radial designs, can alter the truck's visual stance and sidewall impression depending on the size chosen.

That is why restoration-minded buyers often start by deciding whether the goal is a traditional period-style appearance or a more road-use-oriented setup. Once that direction is clear, the tire series and sidewall style can be chosen to complement the build without assuming every old-truck tire presentation is the same.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Dodge Pickup. Aftermarket wheels, changed rim widths, suspension lifts or lowering, axle changes, and body or fender alterations can all influence whether the truck still matches its original tire size, construction, and clearance requirements.

That matters even more on this truck because the model year already spans 15-inch, 16-inch, and 16.5-inch wheel fitments. A modified pickup should be checked at the wheel and vehicle level before replacement, especially if the current setup differs from the original D-Series or W-Series specification.

Before driving a 1973 Dodge Pickup on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, inflation pressure, and the truck's basic alignment and suspension condition. It also helps to check that the tires clear the steering, fenders, and suspension through the full range of motion, especially on four-wheel-drive or heavy-duty models.

Older trucks often sit for long periods or have seen decades of repairs and upgrades, so tire installation is a good time to inspect the rest of the running gear. A short, careful road test followed by a recheck of pressure and visible clearance can help catch issues before longer use.

Tires on a collector 1973 Dodge Pickup should be checked regularly for pressure, sidewall cracking, tread condition, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss, even when the truck is driven only occasionally. Collector vehicles can age tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage, so visual inspection matters just as much as tread depth.

Good storage habits also help preserve an older truck tire. Keeping the pickup away from prolonged sun, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can reduce premature aging, and a truck that has been parked for an extended period deserves a fresh inspection before returning to regular road use.