1979 Nissan Pickup Tires

A 1979 Nissan Pickup uses either GR78-15 or E78-14, depending on the sub-model. The 4x4 King Cab & Sport uses GR78-15 in a radial construction, while the H.D. & Reg. Bed uses E78-14 in a bias-ply construction.

That means the first job is not choosing a brand or sidewall style, but confirming exactly which version of the truck is being fitted. Wheel diameter matters as much as tire size here, since the two fitments use different rim diameters, so checking the actual wheels on the truck is especially important if it has been modified or restored before.

The 1979 Nissan Pickup uses either a 15-inch rim or a 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The GR78-15 fitment is paired with a 15-inch wheel, while the E78-14 fitment is paired with a 14-inch wheel.

Because this truck was offered with more than one wheel-and-tire combination, rim diameter should be confirmed before any replacement tire is selected. Looking only at the body style or assuming all 1979 Nissan Pickups use the same wheel can lead to the wrong tire choice, especially when older trucks may already be wearing swapped wheels from another version.

The 1979 Nissan Pickup has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different tire constructions and wheel diameters. The 4x4 King Cab & Sport uses a GR78-15 radial on a 15-inch wheel, while the H.D. & Reg. Bed uses an E78-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch wheel.

That split reflects two different fitment directions within the same model year rather than two interchangeable choices for every truck. Once the exact sub-model and wheel size are confirmed, the tire decision becomes much clearer, whether the goal is keeping the original-style construction path, comparing available product styles, or considering a radial equivalent for the 14-inch fitment.

E78-14 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1979 Nissan Pickup H.D. & Reg. Bed. It uses the older alphanumeric bias-ply sizing system and is separate from the GR78-15 radial fitment used on the 4x4 King Cab & Sport.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply replacement keeps the truck on its original-style construction path for that sub-model, while a radial alternative becomes a conversion decision rather than a like-for-like construction choice. Before changing construction, it is smart to confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the suspension and fenders.

Radial equivalents for E78-14 include 185R14, P195/75R14, and P205/70R14. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 14-inch fitment several different radial sizing formats to consider.

Each option keeps the same general 14-inch wheel format but approaches the sizing a little differently, so the choice is not simply about switching to any radial. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 6 inches, and the truck's actual wheel width, clearance, and intended use should be checked before making the change.

That depends on which 1979 Nissan Pickup is being fitted and what the owner wants from the truck. The H.D. & Reg. Bed uses E78-14 as its primary bias-ply size, while the 4x4 King Cab & Sport already uses a GR78-15 radial fitment.

For a truck being kept close to its period-style setup, staying with the original construction path often makes the decision simpler. For the 14-inch H.D. & Reg. Bed fitment, a radial equivalent can be considered, but the wheel width, overall fitment, and clearance should be verified carefully rather than assuming every radial alternative will suit the existing setup.

Start by confirming that the truck is the H.D. & Reg. Bed version, since E78-14 does not apply across the full 1979 Nissan Pickup range. From there, the key selection points are bias-ply construction, intended use, and whether the truck needs a restoration-oriented look or a more work-focused tire style.

Within E78-14, the available choices differ by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and load-related specs. A wide whitewall Coker Classic creates a very different presentation than blackwall STA truck tires, so appearance and usage both matter once the basic size and wheel diameter have been confirmed.

The available E78-14 choices for the 1979 Nissan Pickup include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those sidewall treatments appear across the bias-ply options for the H.D. & Reg. Bed fitment and create very different visual results on the truck.

A blackwall tire usually suits a more utilitarian or truck-oriented presentation, while a wide whitewall leans more toward a restoration-inspired or custom appearance. Sidewall style should be chosen only after the correct size, construction, and wheel diameter are established, since appearance does not change the fact that the fitment still has to match the truck's actual setup.

For the E78-14 fitment on a 1979 Nissan Pickup, available tires come from Coker Classic and STA. Those brands cover different product directions within the same size, including a wide whitewall Coker Classic option and blackwall STA tires in Traxion and Transport Highway series.

Brand choice is only part of the decision, because the available tires also vary in sidewall presentation, intended character, and rim-width specification. It helps to narrow the selection by deciding whether the truck is being restored for appearance, kept in a more work-truck style, or fitted for road use that calls for careful attention to wheel compatibility.

A period-style choice depends first on the truck's exact sub-model. The H.D. & Reg. Bed uses E78-14 bias-ply tires, which makes that size the natural starting point for a traditional presentation, while the 4x4 King Cab & Sport uses a GR78-15 radial fitment that should guide selection on that version.

Once the correct size and construction path are set, appearance can be refined through sidewall style and tire series. Buyers pursuing very exact restoration goals should compare their truck against marque-specific references or surviving original examples, since a tire may look appropriate for the era without necessarily being proven as the exact original delivery specification.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1979 Nissan Pickup as much as the ride and handling feel. An E78-14 bias-ply gives the H.D. & Reg. Bed a more traditional period-style presentation, while the GR78-15 radial used on the 4x4 King Cab & Sport reflects a different fitment direction within the same model year.

That is why restoration planning should separate appearance goals from convenience. A radial equivalent for E78-14 may be useful for some owners, but it will not present exactly like a bias-ply tire, and sidewall styling can further change the truck's look, especially when comparing blackwall and wide whitewall options.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Nissan Pickup, especially because this model year already has two different factory fitment paths. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body modifications can complicate the choice between a 14-inch E78-14 setup and a 15-inch GR78-15 setup.

Even when the truck wears a size that looks plausible, the real checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance through steering and suspension travel. A careful inspection matters most on older pickups that may have had parts swapped over decades, since the tire choice should match the truck's current hardware as well as its original sub-model.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the basic condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for correct inflation, proper seating on the rim, and adequate clearance to the fenders, chassis, and suspension through the full steering range.

On an older 1979 Nissan Pickup, it also helps to look for uneven wear signs, fluid leaks that could reach the tires, and any evidence that the truck is sitting unevenly from worn springs or suspension parts. A short, cautious test drive after installation is a sensible way to confirm there is no rubbing, pull, vibration, or air loss.

Collector-truck tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. On a 1979 Nissan Pickup that sees limited use, watch for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss, since age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread wear.

Long-term care also means keeping the truck away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible. Periodic inspection is especially important after the truck has been parked for extended periods, and any tire showing structural deterioration should be evaluated before the pickup is returned to normal road use.