The 1974 Ford F-250 sits in the era when Ford’s heavy-duty pickups were expected to haul, tow, and work hard with very little fuss. Whether set up as a 4x2, a 4x4, or a Camper Special, this truck’s tire choice is tied closely to load class, wheel diameter, and the exact GVWR configuration. Primary fitments span four bias-ply sizes: 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 750-16. Available choices lean heavily toward blackwall truck tires, though 750-16 also opens the door to broader series and sidewall selection. The right decision starts with confirming the truck’s exact sub-model and wheel setup before choosing tread style, load-minded construction, or restoration-oriented appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1974 Ford F-250
The 1974 Ford F-250 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the truck’s exact sub-model, GVWR grouping, and wheel diameter. Most covered configurations use 16.5-inch bias-ply truck sizes, but one 4x4 configuration also uses a 16-inch bias-ply size. Before selecting a tire, confirm both the truck’s specific sub-model and the wheels currently on it, especially if the truck has been modified or wheels have been changed over time.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 800-16.5, the 800 indicates an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width, while 16.5 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is a bias-ply truck fitment used on certain 1974 Ford F-250 configurations that retain 16.5-inch wheels. Available choices in this size come from STA in blackwall form through the Super Transport and Traxion series, both aimed at military and truck use. It is a useful size to evaluate when the truck still carries its original-style 16.5-inch wheel setup and a traditional heavy-duty truck tire look is the goal.
The size code 875-16.5 follows the same numeric bias-ply format, with 8.75 representing nominal section width and 16.5 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1974 Ford F-250, this size appears across several sub-model and GVWR groupings, making it one of the more broadly shared heavy-duty fitments on 16.5-inch wheels. STA offers blackwall truck options in both Traxion and Transport Highway series, giving buyers a choice in tread character within the same size. This size is worth close attention when confirming a truck that remains on 16.5-inch rims but may not use the narrower 800 size or the wider 950 size.
A 950-16.5 numeric bias-ply tire uses a nominal 9.50-inch section width on a 16.5-inch wheel. It is the widest of the listed 16.5-inch bias-ply fitments for the 1974 Ford F-250 and appears in multiple sub-model and GVWR applications. Available blackwall choices include STA Traxion and STA Super Transport, both in truck-oriented bias-ply construction, with this size also carrying stated rim-width and load figures on applicable products. Buyers considering 950-16.5 should make sure the truck’s wheel width and overall wheel setup match the tire’s requirements before moving to the widest option in this fitment group.
The size 750-16 indicates a nominal 7.50-inch section width paired with a 16-inch wheel, making it distinct from the 16.5-inch fitments used elsewhere on this truck line. On the 1974 Ford F-250, it appears in a specific 4x4 GVWR application and opens up the broadest product mix, including Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and STA offerings. Choices range from blackwall truck and military-style tires to wide whitewall bias-ply options across several series. This size deserves extra wheel verification because its 16-inch rim requirement makes it a separate fitment path from the truck’s 16.5-inch applications.
Tire fitment on the 1974 Ford F-250 varies by sub-model and GVWR grouping, so the first step is identifying the exact truck configuration. That matters even more here because the covered fitments include both 16-inch and 16.5-inch wheel applications rather than one shared size across every version.
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1974 Ford F-250 4x2 & Camper Special (GVWR 6900)
This Camper Special and 4x2 GVWR 6900 configuration uses 16.5-inch bias-ply truck fitments, with 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 all associated with it. Tire selection starts by confirming which wheel width and overall wheel setup the truck actually has, then choosing among the available truck-oriented blackwall series in the matching size.
1974 Ford F-250 4x2 & Camper Special (GVWR 7500 & 8100)
This higher-GVWR Camper Special and 4x2 grouping is associated with 875-16.5 and 950-16.5 bias-ply tires on 16.5-inch wheels. That makes size confirmation more specific than on some other F-250 versions, especially for owners comparing a mid-width versus wider heavy-duty truck fitment.
The 4x2 GVWR 6200 version uses 16.5-inch bias-ply fitments, with 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 associated with this truck. Choosing the right tire means matching the installed wheel dimensions first, then narrowing the decision to tread style and truck-use series within the correct size.
This 4x4 GVWR 6500 and 6850 grouping uses 16.5-inch bias-ply truck sizes, including 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5. Owners should confirm the current wheel setup carefully, since many older four-wheel-drive trucks have seen wheel changes over the years that can complicate size selection.
The 4x4 GVWR 7100 and 7600 configuration is tied to 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 bias-ply sizes on 16.5-inch rims. That gives some flexibility within the covered fitment range, but the practical choice still depends on the wheels actually on the truck and the kind of truck-style tread presentation desired.
This 4x4 GVWR 7700 version is the one that makes wheel confirmation especially important, because it is associated with 750-16 as well as 875-16.5 and 950-16.5. A buyer should verify whether the truck carries 16-inch or 16.5-inch wheels before comparing product options, since those are separate fitment paths.
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 1974 Ford F-250 Tires for Sale
Available 1974 Ford F-250 tires center on bias-ply truck fitments from STA, with 16.5-inch sizes offered in blackwall Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway lines. The 750-16 size adds Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester choices, including blackwall, military-style, and wide whitewall options across several classic bias-ply series.
These 1974 Ford F-250 tire FAQs focus on size selection by sub-model and GVWR, 16-inch versus 16.5-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply product choices, period-style appearance, and the checks worth making before putting an older heavy-duty truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1974 Ford F-250?
A 1974 Ford F-250 can use 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, or 750-16, depending on the exact sub-model and GVWR grouping. All of these are bias-ply fitments, and the truck line includes both 16.5-inch and 16-inch wheel applications rather than one universal size.
That means the first step is identifying the truck’s exact configuration and confirming the wheels actually on it. Many older F-250s have seen wheel changes during their working lives, so checking wheel diameter before ordering tires is just as important as knowing whether the truck is a 4x2, 4x4, or Camper Special.
What size rim does a 1974 Ford F-250 use?
The 1974 Ford F-250 uses either a 16.5-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on the tire size and specific sub-model grouping. The 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes use 16.5-inch rims, while the 750-16 size uses a 16-inch rim.
Wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before anything else, because a 16-inch tire and a 16.5-inch tire are not the same fitment. Once the diameter is verified, it becomes much easier to narrow the search by tire size, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of truck-oriented tread or appearance the truck needs.
Why does the 1974 Ford F-250 have more than one tire size?
The 1974 Ford F-250 spans several sub-models and GVWR groupings, so tire fitment is not uniform across the whole model line. Some versions are tied to multiple 16.5-inch bias-ply sizes, while one 4x4 GVWR 7700 grouping also includes a 750-16 fitment on a 16-inch rim.
That variation reflects how these trucks were configured for different duty levels and wheel setups. For a buyer today, the practical takeaway is simple: match the tire to the exact truck and wheel combination in front of you, not just to the year and model name on the badge.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1974 Ford F-250 tire?
Start with the correct tire size and wheel diameter for the truck’s exact sub-model, then narrow the choice by construction, intended use, and product style. On this F-250, every primary fitment is bias-ply, but the available tread series and load-minded truck offerings vary by size.
A truck kept for restoration or occasional use may call for a different appearance than one still doing regular hauling or utility work. Wheel width, load capacity at the stated pressure where available, and the truck’s actual stance and clearance should all be checked before choosing among the available options.
What sidewall styles are available for 1974 Ford F-250 tires?
Most 1974 Ford F-250 tire options are blackwall truck tires, especially in the 16.5-inch sizes and the utility-focused 750-16 offerings. The 750-16 size also includes wide whitewall choices, which create a much more restoration-oriented or period-style appearance than the plain blackwall truck patterns.
Sidewall style does not change the need to match the correct tire size and rim diameter first. Once fitment is confirmed, the sidewall decision becomes an appearance question: traditional truck utility, military-style presentation, or a more vintage custom look through a wide whitewall bias-ply tire.
What brands offer tires for the 1974 Ford F-250?
Tires for the 1974 Ford F-250 are available from STA, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester, depending on the size. The 16.5-inch truck sizes are centered on STA offerings, while 750-16 adds a broader mix that includes Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and additional STA truck and military-style lines.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. It makes more sense to compare which brand actually offers the correct size, whether the tire is aimed at truck use or appearance-oriented restoration, and how its rim-width and load-related specifications align with the wheel and intended use of the truck.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1974 Ford F-250?
A period-style 1974 Ford F-250 tire starts with the correct original-type size and bias-ply construction for the truck’s exact sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the appearance can stay firmly truck-oriented with blackwall utility tires, or shift toward a more vintage presentation in 750-16 with wide whitewall options.
The best restoration direction depends on what kind of truck is being preserved. A working-style 4x4 or Camper Special often looks most natural on blackwall truck tires, while a show-oriented build may lean more toward visual impact. Exact originality should be checked against marque references or truck-specific historical documentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1974 Ford F-250?
On the 1974 Ford F-250, the primary fitments are bias-ply, and that construction helps preserve the traditional visual character of the truck. The sidewall shape, tread presentation, and overall stance of a bias-ply truck tire contribute strongly to how an older heavy-duty pickup looks when restored.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it matters on a collector-era truck where the wheels and tires are highly visible. Matching the correct size and wheel diameter comes first, then the choice shifts to whether the truck should present as a utilitarian work pickup, a military-style truck, or a more dressed-up vintage build.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1974 Ford F-250?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lift changes, brake conversions, or body alterations can affect tire fitment on a 1974 Ford F-250. That matters even more here because the truck line uses both 16-inch and 16.5-inch applications, and the correct size depends on the exact wheel setup.
A truck that no longer has its original wheels should be measured rather than assumed correct by model year alone. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering components will help prevent choosing a tire that matches the catalog size range but not the truck’s current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1974 Ford F-250 on new tires?
Before driving a 1974 Ford F-250 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm inflation matches the tire’s intended use. It is also smart to check for rubbing at full steering lock and to verify valve stems and wheel hardware are in good shape.
An older heavy-duty truck should also be checked beyond the tires themselves. Loose steering parts, worn suspension components, poor alignment, or brake issues can affect how a fresh set of bias-ply truck tires behaves on the road. A careful short test drive is a sensible final step before regular use.
How should tires on a collector 1974 Ford F-250 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1974 Ford F-250 should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of air loss. Low-use trucks can develop tire problems simply from age and storage, even when the tread still looks serviceable.
Good maintenance also means paying attention to storage conditions and keeping the truck away from prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone sources when possible. Regular visual inspections and occasional movement of the truck help, but any sign of deterioration should be taken seriously before road use, especially on an older load-capable pickup.
