The 1979 Ford LTD came from an era when full-size American Fords still balanced comfort, long-wheelbase road manners, and traditional sedan and wagon presence. Buyers looking at one today are often trying to preserve that late-1970s character while making sense of several radial fitments spread across different LTD sub-models. This particular model range uses FR78-14, GR78-14, HR78-14, and GR70-15 sizes, all in vintage alphanumeric radial form. That means the real choice is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about matching the exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and the available tire style. A careful selection keeps the LTD’s stance, appearance, and road use intentions aligned with the vehicle in front of you.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Ford LTD
The 1979 Ford LTD uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most fitments use 14-inch rims, while the Police Sedan uses a 15-inch setup, so identifying the sub-model and confirming the actual wheel diameter should come first. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to choosing the right vintage radial size and, where available, comparing sidewall and tire-series options.
FR78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size in which the letter-and-number combination identifies the tire’s section class and profile family, while the final 14 designates a 14-inch rim. On the 1979 Ford LTD, this size is part of the correct radial-era fitment for certain passenger-car sub-models rather than a later substitute format. It suits buyers who need to stay with the proper 14-inch radial fitment for the specific LTD configuration they own. The key step is confirming that the car is one of the sub-models that used FR78-14 before comparing tire choices.
GR78-14 is also a vintage alphanumeric radial, with the GR78 designation indicating its size family and the 14 confirming a 14-inch wheel. This was a common full-size radial format of the period and appears across several 1979 Ford LTD sub-models, making it one of the more broadly relevant LTD fitments. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining a traditional late-1970s full-size appearance on a 14-inch setup. Buyers should still verify the exact sub-model and wheel combination, especially because other LTD versions used different 14-inch and 15-inch sizes.
GR70-15 is a vintage alphanumeric radial in which the GR70 designation identifies the tire’s size and profile family, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch rim. On the 1979 Ford LTD, this size is tied to the Police Sedan, so it should not be treated as a universal LTD fitment. Available choices in this size include Goodyear offerings with pin-white-stripe and raised white letter sidewall styles across GM Custom Tread, Steelgard, and Custom Wide Tread series. This is the size to examine when the car has the Police Sedan wheel setup and the goal is a period-style radial presentation on a 15-inch rim.
HR78-14 uses the same vintage alphanumeric radial format, with the HR78 portion identifying a larger size family than FR78-14 or GR78-14 and the 14 calling for a 14-inch wheel. Within the 1979 Ford LTD range, this size is associated with the Station Wagon, where load-carrying character and vehicle configuration make the exact fitment more important than the shared rim diameter alone. It is a useful size for wagon owners trying to keep the correct full-size radial look and proportions. The practical step is confirming that the wagon still retains the proper 14-inch wheel setup before selecting a tire.
Tire fitment varies across the 1979 Ford LTD lineup, so the exact sub-model matters before choosing a size. Landau, Sedan, Station Wagon, and Police Sedan configurations do not all share the same tire fitment, and one of them uses a different rim diameter as well.
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1979 Ford LTD Landau
The 1979 Ford LTD Landau uses 14-inch radial fitments, with FR78-14 and GR78-14 associated with this sub-model. That makes wheel confirmation straightforward, but the size still needs to match the car’s actual setup before comparing tire appearance and construction details.
The 1979 Ford LTD Police Sedan uses GR70-15, making it the one covered sub-model with a 15-inch primary fitment. Tire selection here starts with confirming that the car still has the proper 15-inch wheels, then comparing the available Goodyear sidewall and series choices in that size.
The 1979 Ford LTD Sedan uses the same 14-inch radial fitment family seen on the Landau, with FR78-14 and GR78-14 associated with this model. Choosing between them starts with confirming the exact wheel-and-size combination already on the car rather than assuming every sedan used one identical setup.
The 1979 Ford LTD Station Wagon uses 14-inch radial sizes as well, but its fitment differs from the sedan-based models because GR78-14 and HR78-14 are associated with the wagon. That makes exact size confirmation important before replacement, especially when preserving the wagon’s proper stance and carrying character.
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 1979 Ford LTD Tires for Sale
Available product choices center on GR70-15, with Goodyear offerings in GM Custom Tread, Steelgard, and Custom Wide Tread series. Buyers can compare bias-look radial construction, pin-white-stripe versus raised white letter sidewalls, and rim-width specifications within this Police Sedan fitment.
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Goodyear Tires
Goodyear GM Custom Tread Pin White Stripe | GR70-15
Common 1979 Ford LTD tire questions usually come down to identifying the right sub-model, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, and understanding how the vintage alphanumeric radial sizes relate to available product choices and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Ford LTD?
The 1979 Ford LTD uses four primary tire sizes: FR78-14, GR78-14, GR70-15, and HR78-14. All four are radial tires in vintage alphanumeric sizing, but they do not apply across the entire LTD range the same way. Landau and Sedan models use FR78-14 or GR78-14, the Station Wagon uses GR78-14 or HR78-14, and the Police Sedan uses GR70-15.
That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and then confirming the wheel diameter actually on the car. A 14-inch LTD setup should not be treated the same as the 15-inch Police Sedan fitment. If the car has replacement wheels or has been modified over the years, checking the current wheel and tire combination before ordering is especially important.
What size rim does a 1979 Ford LTD use?
A 1979 Ford LTD uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. FR78-14, GR78-14, and HR78-14 are 14-inch fitments, while GR70-15 uses a 15-inch rim. The Police Sedan is the covered LTD version associated with the 15-inch setup.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before focusing on the tire itself, because the size code is built around that wheel measurement. A 14-inch radial and a 15-inch radial are not interchangeable simply because both are used somewhere in the LTD range. Measuring the wheel already on the vehicle is a smart check when the car’s equipment history is uncertain.
Do all 1979 Ford LTD sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1979 Ford LTD sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Landau and Sedan models use FR78-14 or GR78-14, the Station Wagon uses GR78-14 or HR78-14, and the Police Sedan uses GR70-15. Even within the 14-inch group, the associated sizes differ by sub-model.
That variation matters because choosing by model name alone can still lead to the wrong tire. Wagon, sedan, and police applications should be treated separately, especially when one version moves to a different rim diameter. Checking the exact sub-model, the wheel diameter, and the size currently fitted to the car helps narrow the selection before comparing available tire styles.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a GR70-15 tire for a 1979 Ford LTD?
Choosing a GR70-15 tire for a 1979 Ford LTD starts with confirming that the car is the Police Sedan or otherwise retains the correct 15-inch wheel setup. GR70-15 products in this application are Goodyear bias-look radials, and the visible differences include tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification rather than a change in basic size.
Once the size and wheel are confirmed, the next decision is how the car should look and be used. Pin-white-stripe and raised white letter sidewalls create a different presentation, and the available series give buyers more than one period-style direction. Comparing the wheel width already on the car against the tire’s rim-width requirement is an important final step.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Ford LTD tires?
For the available 1979 Ford LTD products in GR70-15, the sidewall styles are Pin-White-Stripe and RWL, which is raised white letter. Both appear on Goodyear bias-look radial offerings, giving the Police Sedan fitment two distinctly different visual treatments within the same vintage-size family.
That choice affects the vehicle’s appearance more than the underlying fitment. A pin-white-stripe tire supports a more restrained late-1970s full-size look, while raised white letters create a sportier period impression. The right choice depends on how the LTD is being presented, but the tire still has to match the car’s actual GR70-15 and 15-inch wheel setup first.
What tire series are available for the 1979 Ford LTD?
The available GR70-15 products for the 1979 Ford LTD appear in Goodyear’s GM Custom Tread, Steelgard, and Custom Wide Tread series. These series all stay within the same general Police Sedan fitment but give buyers several ways to compare style and specification differences inside the GR70-15 size.
Series differences are most useful after the size, wheel diameter, and sidewall preference have already been narrowed down. A buyer comparing tires for a road-driven Police Sedan may also want to review rim-width requirements and product weight along with the visual treatment. The series name helps separate the options, but correct fitment still comes first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Ford LTD?
A period-style 1979 Ford LTD tire should begin with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model: FR78-14, GR78-14, HR78-14, or GR70-15. Because the LTD range already uses vintage alphanumeric radial sizes, staying within the proper original-style sizing format is the first step toward preserving the car’s late-1970s character.
From there, the appearance decision depends on the specific setup you are recreating. On GR70-15, available choices include pin-white-stripe and raised white letter sidewalls, both of which can suit a period presentation in different ways. When exact originality matters, checking period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific restoration references is worthwhile before settling on one look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Ford LTD?
On the 1979 Ford LTD, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice affects appearance less dramatically than it would on an earlier bias-ply vehicle. The more visible distinction in the available GR70-15 offerings comes from bias-look radial construction paired with sidewall style, which can give a more traditional presentation while remaining in a radial format.
That means a restored LTD’s visual character is shaped by size, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment as much as by construction itself. A 14-inch sedan or wagon setup and a 15-inch Police Sedan setup create different overall impressions even before brand or series is considered. The best result comes from matching the tire to the car’s actual configuration and restoration goal.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Ford LTD?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Ford LTD, especially because this model already spans both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel setups. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, brake changes, or suspension work can change the space available for the tire and may also affect which rim width is appropriate for the size being considered.
That matters most when a buyer assumes the car still matches its original sub-model fitment. A lowered sedan, a wagon with replacement wheels, or a Police Sedan wearing a non-original wheel package should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions before a replacement tire is chosen. Visual similarity alone is not enough to confirm fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Ford LTD on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Ford LTD on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tire size matches the sub-model, and check that the tires seat properly and hold air. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and alignment condition so the new tires are not compromised by worn hardware.
A careful walkaround after installation helps catch practical issues early. Look for any contact near the fenders or steering stops, verify inflation, and recheck lug torque after the first miles if appropriate for the wheel setup. On a collector car that spends time parked, a short local drive is a sensible way to confirm smooth operation before longer road use.
How should 1979 Ford LTD tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1979 Ford LTD should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and periodic review of tread condition. Because many surviving LTDs are collector or hobby vehicles, low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for inspection. Age, storage conditions, and long periods of sitting can matter as much as miles traveled.
Good maintenance also means paying attention to the vehicle around the tire. Alignment problems, worn shocks, tired springs, or steering looseness can shorten tire life and change how the car feels on the road. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect tires on vehicles that are driven only occasionally.
