1979 Dodge D150 Pickup Tires

The 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup uses three primary tire sizes: 700-15, L78-15, and LR78-15. The first two are bias-ply sizes, while LR78-15 is the radial-format choice used on the same 15-inch rim diameter.

Choosing the right one starts with confirming the truck's actual wheel setup and the style of tire already on it. A D150 that still has its vintage-style wheels may suit one of the bias-ply sizes, while an owner considering a radial-format tire should verify wheel width, tire clearance, and the overall look desired before selecting LR78-15 or a radial equivalent tied to L78-15.

The 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup fitments here all use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies across 700-15, L78-15, and LR78-15, so the main fitment differences come from tire size and construction rather than a change in wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Before choosing a tire, it still helps to confirm the wheel width and the truck's present wheel type, especially if it has been changed over the years. That matters more when moving between a narrower 700-15 truck-style bias-ply tire and the broader L78-15 or LR78-15 fitments.

The 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup 4x2 (GVWR 6050) uses the same family of 15-inch tire fitments covered here: 700-15, L78-15, and LR78-15. That means the sub-model does not introduce a different rim diameter, but it does allow more than one size and construction path.

That makes selection less about identifying a different trim-specific wheel and more about confirming what is currently on the truck. Owners should compare wheel width, overall tire appearance, and whether the truck is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or updated to a radial-style setup before settling on one of the applicable sizes.

L78-15 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup. It uses the older alphanumeric bias-ply sizing system and appears in several classic and truck-oriented product lines, including blackwall, whitewall, and dual-white-stripe versions.

That matters because an L78-15 choice keeps the truck in a vintage bias-ply format, both visually and structurally. Buyers comparing it to LR78-15 or to radial equivalents for L78-15 should look at wheel width, intended driving use, and whether the goal is to preserve an older-style driving and appearance character or move toward a radial-based alternative.

Radial equivalents for L78-15 include 235R15, P235/75R15, P255/70R15, and 820R15. In that group, 235R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P235/75R15 is the 75-series P-metric equivalent, P255/70R15 is the 70-series P-metric equivalent, and 820R15 is the bias-look radial option.

Those sizes give a range of radial formats rather than one automatic substitute. The associated rim-width range is 6 to 8 inches, which makes wheel compatibility especially important before changing over. It is also smart to compare the truck's current wheel dimensions and available clearance so the equivalent chosen matches both the wheel and the way the D150 is set up.

Start by confirming which bias-ply size is on the truck now and whether the radial you are considering is an equivalent tied to that size. On this application, L78-15 has radial equivalents such as 235R15, P235/75R15, P255/70R15, and 820R15, and all should be treated as alternatives that require verification.

The most important checks are wheel width, rim condition, tire clearance, and the truck's present suspension and steering setup. A D150 with replacement wheels or other modifications may respond differently than one with a more original configuration. Matching the tire to how the truck is actually built is more important than assuming every radial equivalent will suit every 1979 D150.

A 700-15 choice starts with confirming that the truck is set up for that numeric bias-ply size and that the wheel matches the tire's intended fitment range. This size appears in both classic passenger-style and more truck-oriented lines, so the decision is not only about dimensions but also about how the D150 is meant to look and work.

Available 700-15 tires include blackwall and wide whitewall styles, plus utility-focused series from Firestone and STA. Some versions also carry military or truck-oriented character that may suit a working-truck presentation better than a dressier sidewall. Comparing rim-width specifications, load figures where stated, and visual style will narrow the best match for the truck.

The 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup has several sidewall styles available across its applicable sizes. Depending on tire size and series, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and dual-white-stripe sidewalls.

That variety lets an owner steer the truck toward a simpler work-truck look or a more dressed classic presentation. Sidewall style should still be chosen after the correct size and construction are settled, since every sidewall treatment is not offered in every tire size. Matching the visual style to the truck's overall restoration theme usually produces a better result than choosing by appearance alone.

Tires for the 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and STA. Those brands appear across the applicable 15-inch sizes, with a mix of bias-ply products, truck-oriented tread lines, and a radial-style Firestone option in LR78-15.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, tire series, and sidewall treatment rather than by name alone. A 700-15 buyer may be comparing utility-focused blackwall tires, while an L78-15 buyer may be looking at classic whitewall or stripe presentations. The strongest approach is to narrow the correct fitment first, then compare how each brand's available series supports the truck's intended use.

A period-style 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup usually starts with one of the bias-ply fitments, either 700-15 or L78-15, depending on the truck's wheel setup and the visual stance desired. Those sizes preserve the vintage sizing language and open the door to classic blackwall, whitewall, or truck-style tread presentations.

The most suitable choice depends on whether the truck is being restored as a plain working pickup or as a more personalized late-1970s street truck. L78-15 offers the widest appearance range, while 700-15 includes more utility-oriented options. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking period photos, factory literature, or marque-specific references before choosing a sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup; it also affects visual character. A bias-ply tire such as 700-15 or L78-15 keeps the truck in an older sizing and profile family, while LR78-15 and the L78-15 radial equivalents move it toward a more radial-based presentation.

That difference becomes especially noticeable when the truck is being restored with attention to stance and sidewall style. A bias-look radial such as 820R15 can help bridge that gap by keeping a more traditional appearance while using radial construction. The final choice should reflect whether the truck is meant to read as strictly vintage, subtly updated, or primarily road-use oriented.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup even when the tire size itself is one of the correct 15-inch options. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, brake changes, or body and suspension work can all affect how a 700-15, L78-15, or LR78-15 tire sits and clears.

A truck that has been lowered, lifted, or fitted with different wheels should be measured rather than assumed to match stock clearances. Steering travel and inner-fender space deserve attention as well. That is especially important when moving from a narrower vintage numeric tire to a broader alphanumeric fitment or when considering a radial equivalent based on L78-15.

Before driving a 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition, then confirm that tire pressure matches the tire's intended use. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.

A short first drive should be used to check clearance at full steering lock and to watch for rubbing, vibration, or unusual tracking. Collector-era trucks often sit for long periods, so wheel condition and alignment deserve extra attention. Rechecking inflation after the first few drives is a sensible step, especially on a truck returning to regular road use.

Collector tires on a 1979 Dodge D150 Pickup should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions when the truck is not used often. Tread depth matters, but so do sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and any signs of slow air loss.

Long periods of sitting can age a truck tire without adding many miles, so condition should be checked before every driving season and before longer trips. Keeping the D150 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber. Occasional movement and careful inflation habits also help reduce stress on collector-era bias-ply and radial-style tires.