1949 Dodge Tire Fitment Guide

1949 Dodge vehicles use four tire sizes across four model lines: 820-15 on the 7 Passenger and on some Deluxe 6 applications, 670-15 on the D 29-6, 760-15 on the D 30, and 710-15 on the Deluxe 6. All of these sizes are bias-ply designs and all mount on 15-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is published, 670-15 runs on either 4.50-5.00-inch or 5.00-6.00-inch rims depending on product, 710-15 on 5.00-5.50-inch rims, 760-15 on 5.50-6.00-inch rims, and 820-15 on 6.00-6.50-inch rims.

The practical takeaway is that a 1949 Dodge owner needs more than the year and make to select tires correctly. Model identification matters, and the Deluxe 6 in particular should be checked carefully because it appears with two listed sizes. Once the model and size are confirmed, the remaining choice usually comes down to sidewall appearance and the exact rim-width match for the product you prefer.

On a 1949 Dodge, 670-15 is a mid-century numeric bias-ply size. The 670 portion identifies the tire’s nominal section-width class in the older numeric system, while the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size and it does not work like a P-metric code with a stated aspect ratio. In the 1949 Dodge range, 670-15 is the size used on the D 29-6.

That matters because a numeric bias-ply code should be matched within its own sizing family rather than casually converted from a modern tire size. If you own a 1949 Dodge D 29-6, 670-15 points you toward the correct category of blackwall or whitewall bias-ply tires and the appropriate 15-inch wheel diameter. From there, confirm the exact rim-width range of the tire you are considering before moving forward.

No, 1949 Dodge models do not all use the same tire size. The 7 Passenger uses 820-15, the D 29-6 uses 670-15, the D 30 uses 760-15, and the Deluxe 6 appears with either 710-15 or 820-15 depending on the application. Every listed size fits a 15-inch wheel, but the width class and published rim-width ranges differ from one size to another.

That model variation means identification should come before tire selection. A buyer comparing a D 29-6 with a D 30, for example, should not assume the same tire will preserve the right proportions or suit the same wheel width. If your car is a Deluxe 6, checking the wheels already on the car and any original fitment references is especially worthwhile before settling on one size.

1949 Dodge tires are available with several period-appropriate sidewall looks depending on size. Across the listed sizes, the choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The 820-15 size is offered in all three styles, 670-15 and 710-15 are available in blackwall and wide whitewall, and 760-15 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Those options fit the late-1940s American market well, when whitewall presentation had become a major styling feature on many passenger cars.

Choosing among them is usually more about visual intent than fitment. Blackwalls tend to suit a more understated, utilitarian presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a dressier postwar look. If you are restoring for authenticity, match the sidewall style to the way your particular 1949 Dodge would have been trimmed and presented, especially if the car will be judged.

Several established vintage-tire brands cover 1949 Dodge applications. Depending on size, the available brands include BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. The brand mix changes by size: 820-15 is offered by BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal; 670-15 adds Coker Classic and Universal Vintage Tire; 760-15 is covered by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire; and 710-15 is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone.

That means the first filter should be size, not brand loyalty. Once you are in the correct size, compare the available sidewall styles and published wheel-width range for the product that best matches your car’s appearance and intended use. Some owners prefer to stay with a heritage American brand look, while others prioritize getting the exact whitewall treatment they want in the correct fitment.

For a 1949 Dodge using 710-15, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply tires on a 15-inch rim with a published 5.00-5.50-inch wheel-width range and a listed maximum load rating of 1550 pounds at 32 psi. The main visible difference in the examples here is sidewall presentation: BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while Firestone is shown in blackwall form. Weight also varies slightly among the products, with BFGoodrich examples around 21 to 23 pounds and the Firestone example around 24 pounds.

For most 1949 Dodge owners, that makes the choice a matter of appearance and brand preference rather than a major change in fitment category. If your car is being restored to a specific visual standard, the available whitewall width may be the deciding factor. If you want a simpler, more restrained look, a blackwall version from either brand keeps the car within an era-correct bias-ply presentation.

Published rim-width guidance for 1949 Dodge tires varies by size. The 710-15 size fits 5.00-5.50-inch rims, 760-15 fits 5.50-6.00-inch rims, and 820-15 fits 6.00-6.50-inch rims. The 670-15 size spans two published ranges depending on the product selected: some are built for 4.50-5.00-inch rims, while others are rated for 5.00-6.00-inch rims. All listed tires mount on 15-inch-diameter wheels.

That range is why wheel measurement should happen before you commit to a tire, especially on a car that may have changed wheels over the decades. A 1949 Dodge owner should match the tire size to both the model and the actual wheel width on the car. It is also smart to verify that the wheel condition is suitable for a fresh bias-ply tire, particularly on older original rims.

The listed 1949 Dodge tire products do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size descriptions shown here, so tube requirements should be confirmed at the specific product level before installation. All of the available fitments are bias-ply designs in traditional vintage sizes, and many collectors pair that kind of tire with tubes depending on wheel construction and the exact tire specification. The question is especially important on original late-1940s wheels, where the wheel itself can influence the correct setup.

A careful approach is to inspect the wheels first and then confirm the tire’s sidewall marking before mounting. If your 1949 Dodge still wears original-style rims, a tube may be part of the proper installation even when the tire looks outwardly similar to another product in the same size. Checking this once up front helps avoid remounting work and protects the overall setup.

All listed 1949 Dodge tire sizes use a 15-inch wheel diameter, so the original wheels are compatible by diameter across the year’s fitments. That said, the sizes do not share the same published rim-width range. A 670-15 can call for a much narrower wheel than an 820-15, while 710-15 and 760-15 sit between those two ends of the scale. Diameter alone is only part of the fitment picture.

That means a 1949 Dodge owner should not assume one original 15-inch wheel suits every size offered across the whole model line. If your car already has wheels installed, measure or verify their width before choosing a different-size tire, especially when moving between a lighter passenger-car fitment and a larger one. Keeping the wheel and tire matched correctly preserves both appearance and proper support at the bead.

A stored 1949 Dodge should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber quickly. Tires stay healthier in a cool, dry space with clean floors and stable temperatures. Because every listed 1949 Dodge fitment here is a bias-ply tire, long stationary periods can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radial owners expect.

If the car sits for extended stretches, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Keep inflation pressures consistent during storage and inspect the sidewalls before the next drive, especially if the car rests near windows or heat sources. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on collector cars that only come out a few times a season.

Tire life on a 1949 Dodge is usually judged more by age than by miles. Collector vehicles often wear out their tires chemically long before they wear them out by tread depth, so a useful rule is to begin evaluating condition closely at around five to seven years and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of appearance. The DOT date code on the tire is the best reference for age once the tire is in service.

That matters because a 1949 Dodge may see only occasional drives, parades, or show use, which can give a false sense of security. A tire with plenty of tread can still be overdue if the rubber has hardened or the sidewalls have started to crack. Regular age tracking is one of the simplest ways to protect both originality-minded cars and regularly driven hobby vehicles.

Tires on a 1949 Dodge should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing at sustained road speeds. Look for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss. On an older bias-ply car, also pay close attention to valve stems and to any signs that an older wheel or tube setup may be leaking or shifting in service.

Frequent inspection is especially important on collector cars because they often sit long enough for issues to develop between drives. A quick walk-around can catch a failing valve stem, a cut picked up in the garage, or a tire that lost pressure while parked. That small routine reduces the chance of discovering a problem only after the car is loaded up for a club tour or event.

For a 1949 Dodge D 29-6, the listed size is 670-15, and the original construction type for a mainstream American passenger car of that era would have been bias-ply. That aligns with the available replacements here, which are all bias-ply tires in the correct numeric format. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supplier, so the safer restoration focus is on matching the proper size, construction, and sidewall style rather than assuming one universal factory brand.

If you are restoring a D 29-6 for authenticity, start with 670-15 and then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better reflects your car’s trim level and presentation. Photos, period sales material, and Dodge marque specialists can help narrow down the most credible appearance for your exact car. That approach keeps the restoration grounded in what judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts usually notice first.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1949 Dodge. Judges and experienced enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size matches the model, whether the construction reflects the period, and whether the sidewall style suits the car’s era and presentation. On a late-1940s Dodge, an obviously incorrect size or a sidewall treatment that clashes with the car’s intended character can distract from an otherwise strong restoration.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but a careful fitment choice always helps the car read correctly. For a driver-level restoration, getting the proper numeric size and an era-appropriate whitewall or blackwall usually covers the biggest visual cues. For concours judging, it is worth checking event rules and Dodge club guidance so the tire choice aligns with the class you plan to enter.

For a 1949 Dodge using 820-15, BFGoodrich and US Royal both offer bias-ply tires for 15-inch rims with a published 6.00-6.50-inch rim-width range and a listed maximum load of 1920 pounds at 32 psi. The clearest differences shown here are in sidewall presentation and weight. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall forms, while US Royal is shown in a wide whitewall version, with listed weights ranging from the upper 20-pound range into the low 30s depending on the tire.

For restoration work, that means the decision often comes down to the visual statement you want the car to make. A blackwall or narrow whitewall gives a more restrained look, while a broad whitewall strongly emphasizes the dressed-up late-1940s American style many owners prefer on larger Dodge models. As long as the size and wheel-width match are correct, the sidewall treatment becomes the key authenticity and appearance decision.

The available 1949 Dodge tires shown here are all bias-ply products, and none of the listed sizes include a published modern speed-rating letter in the examples provided. That means highway use should be approached with the understanding that these are vintage-style tires on a late-1940s vehicle, not modern high-speed touring tires. In normal collector-car use, the car’s own braking, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are often the more meaningful limitations well before extreme speed capability enters the picture.

A well-sorted 1949 Dodge can certainly be enjoyed on public roads, but the safest approach is to drive within the car’s age and design envelope. Before any extended highway trip, confirm tire condition, inflation, wheel integrity, and alignment, then let the car’s behavior guide your pace. Bias-ply tires can track and respond differently than modern radials, so a measured, period-appropriate driving style is part of the safety equation.

Several 1949 Dodge tire sizes here carry published maximum load figures at 32 psi. The 820-15 examples list 1920 pounds at 32 psi, 760-15 lists 1710 pounds at 32 psi on rated products, and 710-15 lists 1550 pounds at 32 psi. In 670-15, published figures include 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. Those are tire ratings, not a blanket vehicle recommendation for every Dodge model or every wheel setup.

For real-world inflation, treat the tire’s published pressure and load information as the operating ceiling for that product and use the Dodge owner’s literature or a trusted marque source for the vehicle’s intended running pressure. A 1949 Dodge owner should avoid borrowing a pressure number from one size to another just because they share a 15-inch rim. Pressure choice should match the exact size, tire construction, and the car it is supporting.

Before a longer drive in a 1949 Dodge, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and stable inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure each wheel is sound and properly seated. Since these are vintage-style bias-ply fitments, it is also wise to watch for any old flat-spotting from storage during the first miles of a trip and to verify that the car tracks consistently once warmed up.

Tires are only one part of the readiness picture on a postwar car, so include brakes, steering, cooling, and wheel-bearing condition in the same pre-drive routine. A short local test drive before a tour or event can reveal vibration, pulling, or pressure loss while you are still close to home. That kind of methodical preparation is usually what separates a pleasant old-car drive from an avoidable roadside interruption.