1947 Dodge Tire Fitment Guide

1947 Dodge vehicles use four sizes across three model lines: 650-16 and 700-15 for the 1947 Dodge (7 Passenger), 600-16 for the 1947 Dodge Custom 6, and 6.50-15 for the 1947 Dodge Deluxe 6. The listed rim diameters are 16 inches for 650-16 and 600-16, and 15 inches for 700-15 and 6.50-15. Where published product guidance is available, 650-16 fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and 600-16 fits 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims.

That spread means 1947 Dodge fitment is model-specific rather than universal. A buyer should start by identifying the exact model, then verify the wheel diameter already on the car before comparing whitewall style, brand, or tread appearance. That step matters especially on the 7 Passenger model, which appears with both a 16-inch and a 15-inch fitment path.

On a 1947 Dodge tire, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period American sizing, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For 1947 Dodge applications, that size belongs to the 7 Passenger model and appears in traditional bias-ply construction with blackwall and wide whitewall choices.

Numeric sizes like 650-16 can look unfamiliar if you are used to modern metric radials, but they are normal for postwar American cars. The key point is that the final number is the wheel diameter, so a 650-16 must go on a 16-inch wheel. Once the wheel is confirmed, the remaining decision is usually whether you want a blackwall look or a period-style whitewall presentation.

No, 1947 Dodge models do not all use the same tire size. The 7 Passenger uses either 650-16 or 700-15, the Custom 6 uses 600-16, and the Deluxe 6 uses 6.50-15. All of the listed sizes are bias-ply, but the wheel diameters differ across the range, so fitment is tied closely to the specific model and wheel setup.

That matters because a year-and-make search alone can easily surface the wrong diameter if the model is not identified first. A Custom 6 owner should stay within the 600-16 family, while a Deluxe 6 owner should focus on 6.50-15. On a 7 Passenger, confirming whether the car is running 15-inch or 16-inch wheels is the best first move before choosing any tire.

1947 Dodge tires are offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles in several of the listed sizes. The 650-16 size includes both blackwall and wide whitewall choices, 700-15 also includes both, and 600-16 appears in both styles as well. Those options suit the postwar Dodge era well, since blackwalls fit a more restrained factory look while wide whitewalls complement a dressier restoration.

The best choice depends on how you want the car to present rather than on a change in basic fitment. A blackwall often suits a simpler driver-grade appearance, while a wide whitewall gives the car more visual presence in line with late-1940s American styling. If originality matters for show judging, it is wise to compare your sidewall choice with photos, factory literature, or a Dodge marque specialist.

1947 Dodge vehicles are served by several brands across the listed sizes. The 650-16 size includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield; 700-15 includes Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA; and 600-16 includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply tires, so the brand decision is mostly about styling, heritage, and the particular construction line offered in that size.

That range gives owners room to match the character of the car without leaving the period-correct bias-ply category. Firestone and BFGoodrich are especially familiar names for mid-century American restorations, while Coker Classic provides a more neutral vintage-style option and Avon appears in 600-16 with a specialty-marked product. Once the correct size is established, brand choice becomes a matter of appearance and how closely you want the tire to echo period flavor.

In 600-16 for 1947 Dodge, both BFGoodrich and Firestone are bias-ply offerings with wide whitewall versions and the same published maximum load figure of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Both also use a 16-inch rim and list a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches where specified. Their differences are more about brand identity, sidewall presentation, and the exact tire series rather than a major change in basic fitment specifications.

That makes the comparison simpler than it might look at first glance. If you are restoring a Custom 6 and want to stay close to a late-1940s American visual character, either brand can keep you in the proper bias-ply lane. The better tie-breaker is often the sidewall look you prefer and how the tire complements the car's trim level, paint, and wheel treatment.

Published rim-width guidance varies by size on 1947 Dodge tires. The 600-16 size is listed for 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, the 650-16 size for 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, and the 700-15 size for 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims. Those ranges track the visual and dimensional differences between the sizes and help prevent mismatches between the tire and the wheel it is mounted on.

That is why wheel inspection matters before a tire choice is finalized, especially on cars that may have had wheels swapped over the decades. A 16-inch wheel is not enough information by itself if the width falls outside the intended range. Measure the wheel, compare it to the size you plan to use, and keep the model-specific fitment path in mind rather than assuming all 1947 Dodge wheels were interchangeable.

The 1947 Dodge (7 Passenger) appears with both 650-16 and 700-15 fitments, but those sizes do not share the same rim diameter. A 650-16 requires a 16-inch wheel, while a 700-15 requires a 15-inch wheel. Since the diameter changes, one original wheel cannot serve both sizes unless the car also has the matching alternate wheel set.

That makes the wheel itself the first thing to verify on a 7 Passenger. If the car currently wears 16-inch wheels, stay within the 650-16 path; if it wears 15-inch wheels, follow the 700-15 path. This is one of those cases where visual similarity within a Dodge lineup can be misleading, so measuring the actual wheel is more useful than relying on model family resemblance.

A stored 1947 Dodge should be kept away from direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, welders, or air compressors. Bias-ply tires benefit from cool, stable conditions and from keeping the car on a clean surface rather than bare earth or damp concrete. Because bias-ply construction can develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long static periods, occasional movement or the use of properly placed stands can help reduce stress on the casing.

Storage habits matter as much as mileage on collector cars that are driven only occasionally. Inflate the tires to an appropriate operating level before parking, roll the car periodically if possible, and check the spare as well as the road tires. Good storage practice preserves appearance, ride quality, and confidence when the car comes back out for touring season.

On a 1947 Dodge, tire age is usually more important than tread wear because collector cars often cover limited annual mileage. A sound rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, even when the tire still looks presentable at a glance.

That approach is especially sensible on a postwar Dodge because many examples spend long periods parked, which can age rubber without adding miles. Cracking, stiffness, repeated pressure loss, and visible casing distortion all matter more than odometer use alone. Owners who prioritize reliability on tours should judge tire service life conservatively rather than waiting for the tread to look worn out.

Tires on a 1947 Dodge should be inspected before every drive, and again more thoroughly before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread damage, embedded debris, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between drives. A postwar collector car places extra importance on these checks because the tires, wheels, and suspension may all be older or less frequently used than those on a modern vehicle.

A quick walkaround catches many problems before they become roadside interruptions. If the Dodge has been sitting for weeks or months, pay attention to flat spots, valve-stem condition, and whether the spare is still usable. Making tire inspection part of a regular pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to keep an older Dodge more dependable and enjoyable.

A 1947 Dodge Custom 6 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was the standard American passenger-car tire type, and the listed fitment for the model is 600-16. That makes a 600-16 bias-ply tire the natural starting point for an owner pursuing a faithful postwar presentation. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and production circumstances, so the most important authenticity markers are the correct size, construction type, and era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For most restorations, getting those fundamentals right matters more than chasing a brand assumption that may not apply to every car. A blackwall or wide whitewall choice should be checked against period photos, surviving cars, and club knowledge for the way your Custom 6 was delivered. Dodge marque clubs and factory literature remain the best guides when a restoration is being judged closely.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1947 Dodge is judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car has the right size family, the proper bias-ply construction for the era, and a sidewall style that matches the car's trim level and presentation. A model-specific mismatch, such as using a size associated with another 1947 Dodge model, can stand out even before the hood is opened.

That does not mean every event applies identical standards, but size, construction, and sidewall appearance are common checkpoints. A well-restored Dodge with the correct tire profile tends to sit and present the way people expect from a late-1940s American car. If the car is being prepared for high-level judging, event rules and marque-club guidance are worth reviewing before the tires are selected.

For a 1947 Dodge, the difference between blackwall and wide whitewall tires is mostly visual and historical rather than structural when both are offered in the same size and construction. Sizes such as 650-16, 700-15, and 600-16 appear in both blackwall and wide whitewall forms, all within the bias-ply category. A blackwall gives a simpler, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall adds the dressier period style many owners associate with postwar American cars.

That choice can materially change the way the car presents even when the wheel and tire size stay the same. A modest sedan restoration may look more authentic with blackwalls, while a better-trimmed car can feel incomplete without whitewalls. The best answer depends on the exact model, the trim level you are emulating, and whether the goal is touring use, local showing, or higher-level authenticity judging.

1947 Dodge tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly sized, properly inflated, and used within their construction and speed limits. The listed fitments are bias-ply, and one 600-16 product carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling, while many period-style bias-ply tires are used without a modern speed letter shown. On a late-1940s Dodge, the car's brakes, steering, suspension condition, and overall mechanical state are usually more important real-world limits than extreme tire speed capability.

Highway confidence comes from matching the tire to the car and from treating the whole vehicle as an antique system rather than focusing on one specification in isolation. A fresh, properly maintained bias-ply tire is very different from an aged tire that only looks serviceable. If long-distance touring is planned, inspect the entire chassis carefully and drive with the manners and limitations of a 1947 Dodge in mind.

Published tire ratings for 1947 Dodge sizes include 1400 pounds at 32 psi for several 600-16 products, 1580 pounds at 32 psi for several 650-16 products, and 1700 pounds at 32 psi for several 700-15 products. Those figures are tire load-and-pressure ratings, not a blanket instruction to use one pressure across every model. The correct running pressure for your Dodge should be checked against the factory owner's guidance for the specific model and compared with the reproduction tire manufacturer's limits for the exact size you choose.

Pressure is one place where copying a number from a different size can create problems in ride, wear, and handling. A 600-16 Custom 6 should not automatically be set by a figure tied to 700-15 tires on a 7 Passenger. Start with the model-correct recommendation, confirm the tire's own rating, and fine-tune only within safe guidelines for the exact tire on the car.

Before a longer drive in a 1947 Dodge, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, verify that the spare is serviceable, and make sure the wheel itself is sound and properly secured. Since 1947 Dodge fitment varies by model, it is also smart to confirm that all four road tires match the intended size family for the car rather than assuming an older replacement was close enough.

That tire check should sit alongside a broader inspection of brakes, fluid levels, steering, cooling, and charging system health. Older cars often reveal issues after sitting, and a long drive magnifies anything marginal. Spending a few extra minutes on the tires before departure is one of the easiest ways to avoid a preventable problem and preserve the relaxed pace a postwar Dodge deserves.