1973 Jeep CJ6 Tires

The 1973 Jeep CJ6 is associated with three primary tire sizes: 7.35-15, F78-15, and H78-15. All three are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and they reflect different vintage sizing systems rather than one modern metric format.

That means the key question is not simply whether the Jeep is a CJ6, but which of those sizes matches the wheels and overall setup on the vehicle in front of you. Many older Jeeps have been changed over the years, so wheel width, tire clearance, and the intended use of the vehicle should be confirmed before settling on one of the three fitments.

The 1973 Jeep CJ6 uses 15-inch rims with its primary tire fitments. The three associated sizes, 7.35-15, F78-15, and H78-15, all share that same 15-inch wheel diameter even though the size codes themselves use different vintage naming conventions.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a vintage Jeep. Wheel width also matters, especially if the CJ6 has aftermarket wheels or if you are considering a radial equivalent for F78-15 or H78-15. Verifying the actual wheel dimensions before ordering tires helps avoid a mismatch between the selected size and the wheel already on the vehicle.

F78-15 is a vintage alphanumeric bias-ply size. In that format, the letter and the 78-series designation work together to indicate the tire’s general size family and profile, while the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches.

For a 1973 Jeep CJ6, that matters because F78-15 is not the same kind of sizing language as a modern metric radial. It is a period-style bias-ply fitment that also has several radial-equivalent options, including 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, so it often becomes the size owners study most closely when balancing appearance against alternative construction choices.

F78-15 is a bias-ply primary tire size for the 1973 Jeep CJ6. It uses a vintage alphanumeric sizing system and belongs to the same period-style construction family as the Jeep’s other primary sizes, rather than being a modern radial fitment.

That distinction affects both appearance and replacement planning. Keeping F78-15 in bias-ply form maintains the original-style sizing language and construction type, while moving to a radial means comparing one of the recognized equivalent sizes against the Jeep’s wheel width, overall stance, and available clearance. The size code alone does not make a radial and bias-ply version automatically interchangeable.

F78-15 has four radial-equivalent options: 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. H78-15 also has four: 215R15, P225/75R15, P235/70R15, and 760R15. In each group, the options move from 80-series metric radial to 75-series and 70-series P-metric radial choices, with a separate bias-look radial alternative.

Those equivalents are useful comparison points, not automatic substitutions. F78-15 equivalents are paired with a 5-7 inch recommended rim width, while H78-15 equivalents use 6-8 inches, so wheel dimensions should be checked first. Clearance around the fenders and steering components should also be reviewed before changing from the original bias-ply sizing format to any radial alternative.

A bias-look radial can be considered on a 1973 Jeep CJ6 where the primary size is F78-15 or H78-15. The bias-look radial equivalents are 670R15 for F78-15 and 760R15 for H78-15, giving the owner a radial construction option that still aims for a more traditional visual presentation.

That approach can appeal to owners who want to preserve a vintage tire profile in a restoration-oriented build without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. It is still important to verify wheel width, actual tire dimensions, and clearance on the vehicle, because a bias-look radial is an equivalent path rather than a guaranteed one-for-one replacement for every CJ6 wheel and suspension combination.

Start with the correct primary size for the Jeep’s actual setup: 7.35-15, F78-15, or H78-15, all on 15-inch rims. From there, the main factors are construction type, wheel width, the Jeep’s intended use, and whether the goal is a narrow utility look, a broader vintage passenger-style look, or a rugged truck-oriented presentation.

Product variation becomes most visible in H78-15, where sidewall style, tire series, and load specification differ. A wide whitewall tire creates a very different look from a blackwall truck-style tire, even within the same size. Matching the tire’s visual character and wheel compatibility to the Jeep matters more than choosing by size code alone.

The available 1973 Jeep CJ6 products shown in H78-15 include wide whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles. That gives the Jeep owner two distinctly different visual directions within the same size: a more restoration-oriented street look or a more utilitarian truck-style appearance.

Sidewall style changes the personality of the vehicle even when the rim diameter and size code stay the same. A whitewall can suit a more polished vintage build, while a blackwall often feels more at home on a work-oriented or trail-focused Jeep. The best choice depends on how the CJ6 is being finished and whether appearance or utility is leading the decision.

The product selection shown for the 1973 Jeep CJ6 includes Coker Classic and STA in H78-15. Coker Classic appears in wide whitewall form within its Coker Classic Bias Ply series, while STA appears with the Traxion series in a blackwall, military-and-truck-oriented presentation.

That brand mix matters less as a brand comparison and more as a clue to product character. One path leans toward traditional collector-car styling, while the other emphasizes a tougher utility look. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing the series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width range is the practical way to narrow the right tire for the Jeep.

A period-style 1973 Jeep CJ6 usually starts with one of its original-format bias-ply sizes: 7.35-15, F78-15, or H78-15. Those sizes preserve the vintage sizing language and construction type that suit the Jeep’s early-1970s character much better than jumping immediately to a modern-looking metric format.

The best choice among them depends on the Jeep’s current wheels and the look being pursued. A narrower numeric size can support a classic utility stance, while an alphanumeric size may better match a later-vintage appearance. When exact originality matters, it is smart to compare the vehicle against marque references, build-era photos, or restoration documentation before making the final call.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1973 Jeep CJ6 more than many buyers expect. A bias-ply tire keeps the Jeep in its traditional sizing and construction family, which usually supports a more authentic vintage stance, while a radial alternative often changes the tire’s overall presentation even when the rim diameter stays the same.

That does not make one choice universally right or wrong. A restoration-minded owner may prefer bias-ply for period-style appearance, while a bias-look radial can offer a middle ground for F78-15 or H78-15 applications. The important point is to treat construction as both a visual and fitment decision, not simply as a change in internal tire design.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Jeep CJ6 even when the selected size is one of the correct primary fitments. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lifts, spring changes, or body modifications can all influence how a 7.35-15, F78-15, or H78-15 tire sits and clears the vehicle.

That is especially important on a CJ6 because many surviving Jeeps have been adapted for trail use, farm work, or general customization over the years. Measuring the actual wheel dimensions and checking clearance at steering lock and under suspension movement can prevent problems that would not appear on a stock-height Jeep with original-style wheels.

Before driving a 1973 Jeep CJ6 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and general suspension and steering condition. It also helps to confirm that each tire is seated correctly, inflated appropriately for its application, and free from visible shipping damage or installation-related issues.

A short, careful road test is a smart next step on an older Jeep. Pay attention to rubbing, steering feel, vibration, and any sign that the tire is contacting the body or chassis under turning or movement. Collector vehicles that have sat for long periods also deserve a broader check of brakes, wheel bearings, and overall roadworthiness before regular use.

Tires on a 1973 Jeep CJ6 should be inspected regularly for air loss, uneven wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and tread condition. That applies whether the Jeep is driven often or only occasionally, because low-mileage collector vehicles can still develop age-related tire problems even when the tread looks usable.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as miles. Keeping the Jeep away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition between drives. It also helps to check pressure before road use rather than assuming an infrequently driven vehicle is ready to go, especially after seasonal storage or long periods parked.