1926 Dodge Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Dodge vehicles in this year-and-make group use two tire sizes: 31X5.25 and 525-21, and both apply to the 1926 Dodge 4 Cyl. Both are bias-ply sizes and both mount on 21-inch wheels. For 525-21, listed rim-width recommendations vary by product, ranging from 2.50-3.00 inches on the Firestone versions to 3.50-4.00 inches on the Excelsior Comp H.

That means the first thing to verify is not just the year and make, but the exact size already fitted to the car and the wheel width it is using. A 1926 Dodge 4 Cyl. may be encountered with either size convention, so checking the existing tire sidewall, the wheel, and the car's restoration history will usually point you to the correct replacement path.

31X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size used on 1926 Dodge applications. The 31 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, while 5.25 refers to its nominal section width. It is a bias-ply format from the pre-war era, and unlike later sizing systems, the first number is not the wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because a modern buyer can easily mistake 31X5.25 for a rim measurement when it is actually describing the tire's outer dimension and width style. On a 1926 Dodge, this format points toward an earlier period presentation, so it is worth confirming whether the car still uses its original-style setup or has already been standardized to a numeric size such as 525-21.

525-21 is a numeric bias-ply tire size used on 1926 Dodge vehicles. In this format, 5.25 is the nominal section width and 21 is the wheel diameter in inches. It remains a distinctly vintage size system, but it is more familiar to many collectors than an older diameter-by-section designation such as 31X5.25.

Knowing how to read 525-21 helps when comparing products because the wheel diameter is stated directly in the code. On a 1926 Dodge, that makes it easier to confirm wheel compatibility first, then compare details such as sidewall style, brand, and recommended rim-width range. It also helps separate a true period-size replacement from later metric or radial sizing that would change the car's appearance.

A 1926 Dodge can be associated with either 31X5.25 or 525-21, and both are bias-ply choices rather than a bias-versus-radial decision. The real difference is the sizing convention and the wheel setup the car is using. Since both sizes are tied to the 1926 Dodge 4 Cyl. and both use a 21-inch wheel, the correct choice comes from matching the car's existing wheel and tire specification rather than picking by construction type alone.

Owners usually make this decision by looking at the tire sidewall already on the car, measuring the wheel, and considering the restoration goal. If the car is being kept in an earlier antique presentation, 31X5.25 may be the appropriate direction. If the car is already configured around a numeric pre-war replacement size, 525-21 is the size with current product choices and sidewall options to compare.

1926 Dodge tires in the available 525-21 offerings come in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles. Firestone offers both a blackwall version and a 3.00 inch whitewall version in 525-21, while Excelsior's listed 525-21 option is a blackwall. All of these are bias-ply tires, which keeps the basic period construction aligned with the era.

For a 1926 Dodge, sidewall style affects the visual finish more than the basic fitment. Blackwall generally suits a straightforward early-car look, while a whitewall can shift the presentation toward a more dressed, show-oriented appearance. If originality matters for a judged restoration, it is wise to confirm what is appropriate for your body style, market, and event standards before deciding on the whitewall treatment.

Firestone and Excelsior both offer tires for 1926 Dodge in the 525-21 size. Firestone's choices come from its Classic Bias Ply line and include both blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Excelsior offers a Comp H blackwall in the same nominal size, giving 1926 Dodge owners more than one brand route within a period-style bias-ply fitment.

Brand choice on a 1926 Dodge usually comes down to the look you want and the wheel-width range that matches your car. Firestone's listed 525-21 versions use a narrower recommended rim-width range than the Excelsior Comp H, so the wheel itself can influence which product makes the most sense. Once that is confirmed, sidewall appearance becomes the next meaningful separator.

For 1926 Dodge tires in the 525-21 size, recommended rim width depends on the product. Firestone's 525-21 blackwall and wide whitewall versions are listed for 2.50-3.00 inch rims, while the Excelsior Comp H in 525-21 is listed for 3.50-4.00 inch rims. All of those products use a 21-inch wheel diameter, but the acceptable wheel width is not the same across every tire option.

That is why wheel measurement matters before settling on a brand. A 1926 Dodge owner with a narrower original-style rim may be steered toward one product family, while a car on a wider compatible wheel may align with another. Checking rim width first prevents avoidable fitment problems and also helps narrow down which 525-21 tire is most appropriate for the wheel already on the car.

A 1926 Dodge wheel can potentially work with both listed tire sizes because 31X5.25 and 525-21 are both associated with 21-inch wheels. Rim diameter compatibility is the key common point. The remaining question is wheel width, since the available 525-21 products themselves already show different recommended rim-width ranges depending on the specific tire chosen.

That means an original 1926 Dodge wheel should not be assumed correct for every tire option just because the diameter matches. Measure the wheel, compare its width against the tire's recommended range, and make sure the car's existing setup matches the size direction you plan to keep. That approach preserves fit, appearance, and steering character more effectively than relying on year-and-make alone.

A 1926 Dodge should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone sources that can age sidewalls. Because 1926 Dodge fitments here are bias-ply tires, long periods of static storage can also encourage temporary flat-spotting more readily than many later radial applications. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation all help reduce avoidable stress on the casing.

If the car will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Keep the tires off damp ground, and avoid dressing products that leave the rubber greasy or trap contaminants. A short inspection before returning a stored 1926 Dodge to the road is just as important as the storage routine itself.

Tires on a 1926 Dodge are usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, since collector vehicles often see limited annual use. A good rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread remains. The DOT date code and the tire's physical condition tell more than odometer readings do on a low-use antique car.

Bias-ply tires can look serviceable while still aging internally, especially if the car has spent years parked or stored in a harsh environment. Sidewall cracking, stiffness, irregular wear, and vibration on the road are all warning signs. For a 1926 Dodge that is driven occasionally to shows or tours, age awareness is one of the best ways to avoid running on tires that have simply grown old.

Tires on a 1926 Dodge should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and any sign that pressure is not being held consistently. Since these are vintage-style bias-ply fitments, it is also smart to pay close attention to how the car feels rolling out after sitting, because changes in ride feel can point to developing tire issues.

A more thorough inspection every few months is worthwhile even if the car has barely moved. Include the spare, inspect valve stems, and verify inflation with a reliable gauge. That routine catches aging and storage-related problems early, which matters on a 1926 Dodge because the tires are one of the first places where a long-idle collector car will reveal that it needs attention before returning to regular road use.

A 1926 Dodge 4 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, so bias-ply construction is the historically appropriate starting point. The sizes associated with 1926 Dodge in this group are 31X5.25 and 525-21, both of which align with period tire practice. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and sourcing, so the most reliable way to pin down an exact factory-delivery specification is to compare period literature and marque-club guidance for your particular body style.

For most restorations, getting the size system, construction type, and sidewall appearance right matters more than chasing an unverified brand assumption. If the goal is authenticity, stay with a bias-ply tire and match the size to the wheel and presentation the car is intended to carry. A Dodge club, period sales material, or a known-survivor comparison can help settle the final detail when two period-correct size paths are possible.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1926 Dodge, especially in events that judge authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks properly restored for the period. Since 1926 Dodge belongs to the pre-war bias-ply era, a modern-looking replacement or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out quickly even to casual observers.

That does not mean every event judges with the same strictness, but tire details are one of the easiest visual cues on an antique car. If your 1926 Dodge is being prepared for concours or marque judging, confirm which of the two period sizes is appropriate for the wheel setup and whether a blackwall or whitewall finish suits the class. Event-specific standards are best checked with the host club before finalizing the car.

Firestone and Excelsior both cover the 525-21 size for the 1926 Dodge, but their listed details are not identical. Firestone offers both Blackwall and 3.00 Inch Wide Whitewall versions, each rated at 1120 pounds at 36 psi and recommended for 2.50-3.00 inch rims. The Excelsior Comp H is a Blackwall tire and is listed for a wider 3.50-4.00 inch rim range.

That makes the choice less about one being universally better and more about matching the wheel and the look of the car. A 1926 Dodge owner wanting a whitewall presentation has a Firestone option, while someone with a wheel that matches the wider recommended range may be drawn toward the Excelsior fitment. The wheel's actual width should guide the final selection before appearance takes over.

1926 Dodge tires can be used on the road when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within the limits of both the tire and the vehicle. The available 1926 Dodge fitments here are bias-ply tires, which deliver an authentic vintage driving feel but behave differently from modern radial tires. On a car of this age, the vehicle's braking, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are often just as important to real-world safety as the tire itself.

Highway use should be approached with realistic expectations for a pre-war automobile. Fresh tires, correct inflation, and careful inspection matter, but so do the car's age-appropriate handling characteristics and the driver's willingness to leave extra following distance. A 1926 Dodge prepared for regular road use should be treated as an antique machine first, with tire choice supporting that broader approach rather than replacing it.

Inflation pressure for 1926 Dodge tires should follow the vehicle guidance appropriate to the car and the tire maker's rated limits for the specific product you choose. In the available 525-21 Firestone options, the listed maximum load is 1120 pounds at 36 psi. That figure is a tire rating reference, not an instruction to automatically run every 1926 Dodge at the maximum pressure all the time.

The best practice is to start with the factory vehicle guidance if you have it, then make sure the chosen tire's own rated pressure and load information are respected. Do not transfer one product's pressure figure to another size or brand automatically. On an antique car like a 1926 Dodge, pressure choice affects ride, steering feel, and tread wear, so keeping it size-specific and product-specific is important.

Before a longer drive in a 1926 Dodge, inspect each tire for cracks, bulges, cuts, exposed cord, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Make sure the spare is usable and check the valve stems as part of the routine. Since the 1926 Dodge uses vintage-style bias-ply fitments, it is also smart to pay attention to steering feel and any vibration or pull that suggests a tire or wheel issue before committing to a sustained run.

That tire check should be part of a broader antique-car inspection that includes brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, fluids, and cooling. Tires are only one piece of the picture, but they are the part in direct contact with the road and one of the quickest indicators of whether the car is truly ready. A few careful minutes in the garage can prevent a much larger roadside interruption later.