The 1973 Ford F-250 came from an era when Ford’s heavy-duty pickups were expected to work hard, carry real weight, and handle everything from farm use to camper duty. That matters when choosing tires, because this truck uses several bias-ply fitments rather than one universal size. Depending on sub-model and GVWR, the 1973 Ford F-250 can use 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, or 750-16 tires, with both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel diameters in the mix. Available choices lean toward blackwall truck-oriented series such as STA Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. The key is matching the truck’s exact configuration and wheel setup before narrowing the choice by tread style, load needs, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Ford F-250
The 1973 Ford F-250 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the truck’s exact sub-model, GVWR, and wheel diameter. Most fitments use 16.5-inch bias-ply truck tires, but one covered 4x4 configuration also brings a 16-inch option into the picture. Confirming the specific sub-model and whether the truck has 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels should come before comparing tread style, tire series, or load-focused truck options.
In the size 800-16.5, the 800 designates an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width, while 16.5 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a bias-ply truck tire size used on certain 1973 Ford F-250 configurations that require a 16.5-inch wheel. Available options center on STA truck lines, including Super Transport and Traxion, both in blackwall form and aimed at utility-focused use. It is a useful size to evaluate when the truck retains its original-style 16.5-inch wheel setup and the goal is to keep a traditional heavy-duty bias-ply presentation.
The 875-16.5 size uses a numeric bias-ply format in which 875 indicates an approximate 8.75-inch nominal section width and 16.5 refers to the wheel diameter. On the 1973 Ford F-250, this size appears across multiple sub-models, making it one of the more broadly applicable 16.5-inch fitments. Product choices include STA Traxion and STA Transport Highway, both blackwall truck tires with a more work-oriented look than a passenger-car restoration tire. This size deserves close attention when the truck has 16.5-inch wheels and the buyer wants to compare traction-oriented versus highway-oriented bias-ply designs.
The numeric bias-ply size 950-16.5 translates to an approximate 9.50-inch nominal section width on a 16.5-inch wheel. It is one of the larger primary truck fitments used on covered 1973 Ford F-250 configurations and remains firmly in the heavy-duty bias-ply category. Available blackwall options include STA Traxion and STA Super Transport, both truck-focused series with matching 16.5-inch rim diameter and stated rim-width fitment in the 6.50- to 6.75-inch range. This size is worth considering when the truck’s wheel setup and intended load use point toward the broader 16.5-inch bias-ply choices.
In 750-16, the 750 indicates an approximate 7.50-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies a 16-inch wheel diameter. This is a bias-ply size used on a specific 1973 Ford F-250 4x4 configuration, and it stands apart from the truck’s more common 16.5-inch fitments because it requires a different wheel diameter. Product selection is broad here, ranging from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and STA offerings to blackwall, wide whitewall, military-style, traction, and highway-oriented series. It is the size to examine carefully when a 16-inch wheel truck needs either a utility-minded truck tire or a more restoration-oriented visual treatment.
Sub-model fitment on the 1973 Ford F-250 is not one-size-fits-all, because tire choice changes with drivetrain and GVWR grouping. Checking the exact sub-model matters here, especially because most versions use 16.5-inch tires while one covered 4x4 configuration also includes a 16-inch fitment.
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1973 Ford F-250 4x2 & Camper Special (GVWR 6900)
This F-250 4x2 and Camper Special configuration uses 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 bias-ply tire sizes. Tire selection starts with confirming which 16.5-inch wheel setup is on the truck, then comparing truck-oriented series such as traction or highway-style patterns within the correct size.
1973 Ford F-250 4x2 & Camper Special (GVWR 7500 & 8100)
This higher-GVWR 4x2 and Camper Special grouping uses 875-16.5 and 950-16.5 bias-ply tires. That narrows the choice to the larger 16.5-inch truck fitments, making wheel confirmation and intended load use more important than appearance-oriented differences.
The 1973 Ford F-250 4x2 with 6200 GVWR uses 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 bias-ply sizes. The practical next step is confirming which 16.5-inch wheel diameter and width the truck actually carries before choosing between available STA truck series.
This 4x4 F-250 configuration uses 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 in bias-ply construction. Selection comes down to matching the truck’s wheel setup and deciding whether the tire’s intended use leans more toward traction-oriented service or highway-style truck duty.
The 7100 and 7600 GVWR 4x4 versions also use 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 bias-ply fitments. Because these share the same 16.5-inch tire family, the real decision shifts to exact size confirmation and the tread character offered within the available truck series.
This 7700 GVWR 4x4 grouping is the one that requires extra care, because it includes 750-16 along with 875-16.5 and 950-16.5. The first step is verifying whether the truck has 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels, since that determines which tire family can even be considered.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1973 Ford F-250 Tires for Sale
Available 1973 Ford F-250 tires focus on bias-ply truck fitments from STA, with 750-16 adding Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester choices as well. Buyers can compare blackwall truck series such as Traxion, Super Transport, Transport Highway, and Super Traxion, plus select wide whitewall 750-16 options for a more restoration-oriented look.
Owners usually need to sort out exact tire size, wheel diameter, and sub-model fitment first on a 1973 Ford F-250. The questions below focus on size meaning, bias-ply selection, truck-series differences, appearance choices, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Ford F-250?
A 1973 Ford F-250 can use 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, or 750-16 tires, all in bias-ply construction. The correct size depends on the truck’s exact sub-model, drivetrain, and GVWR grouping rather than one universal fitment for every F-250.
The most important first check is wheel diameter, because this truck appears with both 16-inch and 16.5-inch tire fitments. Once that is confirmed, match the size to the truck’s exact configuration and then compare tread style, load-oriented product specs, and the type of period-style or work-truck appearance you want to maintain.
What size rim does a 1973 Ford F-250 use?
The 1973 Ford F-250 appears with both 16-inch and 16.5-inch rim diameters, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 750-16 fitment uses a 16-inch wheel, while 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 use 16.5-inch wheels.
That difference matters because a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16.5-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. Before choosing a replacement tire, inspect the wheels currently on the truck and confirm that they have not been changed over the years, especially on working trucks that may have seen wheel swaps or mixed-service use.
Do all 1973 Ford F-250 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1973 Ford F-250 uses several different tire sizes across its covered sub-models, including 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 750-16. Some sub-models share the same group of 16.5-inch sizes, while the 4x4 7700 GVWR grouping also includes a 16-inch fitment.
Sub-model identification matters because the first tire decision is not brand or tread pattern but the correct size family and wheel diameter. Once the truck’s exact configuration is pinned down, selection becomes much simpler, especially when comparing highway-style versus traction-style truck tires in the proper bias-ply size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1973 Ford F-250 tire?
Start with the correct tire size and wheel diameter for the truck’s exact sub-model, because the 1973 Ford F-250 spans both 16-inch and 16.5-inch fitments. From there, the main choices are bias-ply truck series, intended load use, and whether the tire should look more like a working truck tire or a restoration-oriented replacement.
Rim-width compatibility is also worth checking when product specifications include it, especially on 750-16, 800-16.5, and 950-16.5 options. A truck that still works, hauls, or tows may call for a different tread character than one being restored for shows or occasional cruising, even when both use the same size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Ford F-250 tires?
Most 1973 Ford F-250 tires in these sizes are offered as blackwalls, which suits the truck-oriented character of the available bias-ply lines. The 750-16 size also opens the door to wide whitewall options from Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone for buyers seeking a more traditional visual statement.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the truck’s purpose in mind. A blackwall generally matches a work-focused or utility presentation, while a wide whitewall changes the look significantly and may appeal more to a restoration build than a jobsite-oriented pickup. The key is selecting the style only after the correct size and wheel diameter are confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Ford F-250?
STA is the main brand across the 16.5-inch F-250 fitments, with series such as Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. In 750-16, the available brand mix broadens to include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and additional STA truck-oriented options.
Brand choice matters less than matching the right size, wheel diameter, and tire series to the truck’s intended use. Once those basics are settled, a buyer can compare differences in sidewall presentation, truck-duty orientation, stated rim-width ranges where given, and load figures on the products that publish them.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Ford F-250?
A period-style 1973 Ford F-250 usually starts with staying in the correct bias-ply size for the truck’s exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most configurations lean toward blackwall truck tires, while 750-16 adds more visual variety through both truck-style and wide whitewall offerings.
The right choice depends on whether the truck is being presented as a working pickup, a camper-era heavy-duty model, or a more stylized restoration. When exact originality matters, compare the truck’s current setup with period photos, factory literature, or marque-specific restoration references before choosing a sidewall treatment or tread style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Ford F-250?
On this 1973 Ford F-250, the primary fitments are bias-ply tires, and that construction plays a big role in maintaining a traditional heavy-duty truck look. The stance, sidewall shape, and overall presentation of a bias-ply tire generally suit the truck’s era better than a modern-looking substitute.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it matters on a restored pickup because tire construction can change how authentic the finished truck feels. Matching the proper size family and wheel diameter comes first, then the buyer can decide whether the goal is a utility-driven blackwall look or a more styled restoration presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Ford F-250?
Yes. Any 1973 Ford F-250 with aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lift components, or other modifications may need closer fitment checks before a replacement tire is chosen. That matters even more here because the truck appears with both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel diameters across different sub-models.
Modified trucks should be checked for actual wheel diameter, rim width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before staying with the original-style size or moving to another approved fitment for that configuration. It is also wise to inspect whether all four wheels match, since older working trucks are sometimes found with mixed wheel sets.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Ford F-250 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size, and check inflation pressure against the tire’s service requirements. The truck should also be examined for obvious alignment issues, loose steering parts, brake problems, or suspension wear that could affect how new bias-ply tires behave.
A careful walkaround remains important even on a freshly restored or lightly used truck. Look for sidewall damage, unusual tread wear, air loss, and any clearance issue at full steering lock or under load. On a heavy-duty pickup, those checks matter just as much as selecting the right tire series in the first place.
How should 1973 Ford F-250 tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1973 Ford F-250 should be checked regularly for inflation, cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and signs of long-term aging. Collector trucks and lightly used work trucks often accumulate age faster than mileage, so condition matters more than tread depth alone.
Storage also plays a role. Keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives, and occasional movement helps avoid long-term flat spotting on vehicles that sit. A pre-drive inspection is especially important before highway use or when the truck will be carrying a meaningful load.
