1979 Ford F-350 Tires

The 1979 Ford F-350 uses several different 16.5-inch tire sizes, including 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 950-16.5, and 8.75R16.5. The correct size depends on the truck’s exact configuration, including Base or DRW setup, GVWR, wheelbase in some cases, and whether the fitment is tied to the whole truck or a specific front or rear axle entry.

That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model before choosing a tire. A matching 16.5-inch rim diameter alone is not enough, because the tire width and construction still have to suit the truck’s intended fitment. On an older one-ton truck, it is also smart to confirm the wheels currently on the vehicle have not been changed over the years.

Every primary tire size used on the 1979 Ford F-350 in this fitment range mounts on a 16.5-inch rim. That includes the 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 bias-ply sizes as well as the 8.75R16.5 radial fitment found on certain Base configurations.

Wheel diameter is only the first check, not the last one. Width still matters, especially on a heavy-duty truck where published rim-width guidance appears for some sizes, such as 800-16.5 and 950-16.5. A truck with replacement wheels, different axle equipment, or long-term service changes should have the wheel size confirmed before any new tire is selected.

The 1979 Ford F-350 was offered in several working configurations, so tire fitment changes with GVWR, dual-rear-wheel setup, wheelbase on some versions, and in certain cases front-versus-rear application. That is why the truck appears with multiple 16.5-inch sizes instead of one uniform tire specification across the entire model line.

For a buyer, that means identifying the truck precisely matters more than starting with brand or tread pattern. Two F-350s from the same year can share the same model badge and still call for different section widths or even different construction types. Matching the tire to the truck’s actual configuration helps avoid clearance, wheel-compatibility, and load-carrying mismatches.

8.75R16.5 is a radial tire size for the 1979 Ford F-350. The R in the size marks radial construction, and this fitment appears on certain Base GVWR configurations, while other F-350 setups in the same year use bias-ply sizes such as 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5.

That distinction matters because the truck should be matched to the size and construction tied to its exact configuration. A 16.5-inch rim diameter does not make every tire choice equivalent. When replacing tires on a truck with a long service history, it is worth checking the existing wheel setup and confirming whether the vehicle is currently arranged around a radial or bias-ply fitment.

The answer depends on the exact 1979 Ford F-350 configuration and on your goals for the truck. Many F-350 fitments in this range are bias-ply, including 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5, while certain Base versions use 8.75R16.5 radial tires as a primary fitment.

A restoration-oriented truck may call for staying with the construction tied to its original setup, while a road-driven truck still needs the correct size and wheel compatibility above all else. Construction changes should never be treated casually on a heavy-duty pickup. Confirm the wheel specification, the truck’s actual fitment, and the clearance around the suspension and body before changing tire type.

Start by confirming the truck’s exact sub-model, GVWR, and whether the tire choice is for the whole vehicle or for a specific axle position. On the 1979 Ford F-350, that is essential because some applications use bias-ply sizes and some Base versions use 8.75R16.5 radial fitment, even though all use 16.5-inch rims.

Next, inspect the wheels themselves and compare their width to the tire you are considering, especially in sizes where rim-width guidance is published. A truck that has been modified, rebuilt, or kept in service for decades may no longer have its original wheel setup. Clearance at full steering lock and under load should also be checked before final selection.

Start with the correct size for the exact truck, because the 1979 Ford F-350 uses several different 16.5-inch fitments. Size, construction, axle position where applicable, and wheel compatibility all come before brand or tread style. Some configurations use bias-ply sizes, while certain Base models use 8.75R16.5 radial fitment.

Once the fitment is confirmed, compare the tire’s intended character and specifications. Available products focus on blackwall truck tires in STA series such as Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. It also helps to look at published weight, rim-width guidance, and load information where shown so the tire choice matches how the truck will actually be used.

The available products for these 1979 Ford F-350 fitments are from STA. The lineup covers several of the truck’s bias-ply sizes and includes series such as Traxion, Super Transport, and Transport Highway, all in blackwall form and aimed at military and truck use.

Since the brand choice is narrow here, the more meaningful comparison is usually between size-specific series and specifications rather than between competing manufacturers. A buyer should first confirm whether the truck needs 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5 bias-ply fitment, then compare the available STA options in that exact size for wheel compatibility and intended use.

The available 1979 Ford F-350 products include STA Traxion, STA Super Transport, and STA Transport Highway, depending on tire size. Not every series appears in every fitment, so the series choice is tied directly to whether the truck uses 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5.

That makes size confirmation the first priority and series comparison the second. Once the correct fitment is established, the available series give some flexibility in selecting the kind of traditional truck tire presentation that suits the vehicle. Details such as published weight, rim-width range, and load figures can then help narrow the choice within that exact tire size.

For a period-style 1979 Ford F-350, the starting point is the truck’s exact original-type fitment size and construction rather than a generic one-ton pickup tire. Many configurations use bias-ply 16.5-inch sizes such as 800-16.5, 875-16.5, or 950-16.5, while certain Base versions use 8.75R16.5 radial fitment.

A truck restored with working-truck character in mind will usually benefit from staying visually close to the tire size and construction that belong to its configuration. Available options here are blackwall truck tires, which suit a straightforward heavy-duty appearance. When exact originality matters, period photos, build paperwork, and marque-specific references are worth checking before making a final decision.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1979 Ford F-350 restoration because the truck’s stance, working look, and wheel fill all depend on matching the proper size and construction. This model used several 16.5-inch tire sizes across different GVWR and DRW configurations, so a wrong-width tire can quickly change the truck’s visual character.

Appearance is only part of the story. The right fitment also supports proper wheel compatibility and helps preserve the truck’s intended heavy-duty setup. Even if the goal is not concours-level detail, staying faithful to the correct size family usually produces a more convincing result than choosing a tire simply because it happens to fit the rim diameter.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Ford F-350 even when the truck still uses 16.5-inch wheels. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body and fender work can all influence which tire size can be used safely and whether the original fitment still makes sense.

That is especially important on a truck that already had multiple factory size paths depending on configuration. A modified F-350 should have its actual wheel dimensions and available clearance checked before any new tire is chosen. On a dual-rear-wheel truck, there is even less room for assumption, because axle position and tire width both matter.

Before driving a 1979 Ford F-350 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is appropriate, and check that the selected tire matches the truck’s exact fitment. It is also wise to look over steering components, suspension condition, and visible brake hardware on a heavy-duty vintage truck.

After installation, verify inflation, look for even seating on the rim, and check clearance through steering travel and normal suspension movement. A short test drive should be followed by another visual inspection for rubbing or unusual behavior. On an older one-ton pickup, the rest of the chassis deserves as much attention as the tire itself.

Tires on a collector 1979 Ford F-350 should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the truck is driven only occasionally. Older heavy-duty pickups often spend long periods parked, so tire condition can decline from age and storage as much as from road mileage.

Keeping the truck clean, properly inflated, and stored away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It also helps to move the vehicle periodically rather than leaving the same contact patch loaded for months at a time. Before any longer trip, recheck pressure and give each tire a close visual inspection.