1958 Willys Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Willys vehicles use three sizes: 700-16 and 670-15 for the Willys 226, and 640-15 for the Willys DJ-3A. All three are bias-ply sizes, but they do not share a single wheel diameter across the whole make because 700-16 fits a 16-inch rim while 670-15 and 640-15 fit 15-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is listed, 700-16 appears on 4.50 to 5.50-inch rims, 670-15 appears on 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims depending on the tire, and 640-15 appears on 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims depending on the tire.

The practical takeaway is that a 1958 Willys owner should identify the exact model first and then verify the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. A 226 owner has two possible fitments, so checking the existing wheel matters just as much as knowing the model name. A DJ-3A owner has a narrower path, since that model stays with 640-15. Once the size is confirmed, the next choices are mostly about sidewall appearance and the character of the individual bias-ply product.

On a 1958 Willys, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 portion is the older nominal section-width designation, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric code, and it does not work like a P-metric size that spells out width, aspect ratio, and radial construction in one line. For 1958 Willys applications, this size belongs to the 226 and mounts on a 16-inch wheel.

That older numeric format is typical of the era and should be read as a vintage fitment language rather than translated directly into a modern tire code. A buyer comparing 700-16 against the 15-inch Willys sizes should focus first on wheel diameter, then on rim-width compatibility where listed, and finally on appearance details like blackwall or whitewall style. The size itself tells you you are looking at a bias-ply tire intended for an older wheel package, not a later radial equivalent.

No, 1958 Willys models do not all use the same tire size. The Willys 226 appears with either 700-16 or 670-15, while the Willys DJ-3A uses 640-15. That means tire selection changes not only by model, but in the case of the 226 also by the wheel package fitted to the vehicle. The make-year combination alone is not enough to narrow the choice to one size.

This matters because many collector vehicles have had wheels swapped during decades of use, repair, or restoration. A 226 with 16-inch wheels and a 226 with 15-inch wheels need different tires even though they share the same year and model family. If you are unsure, read the current sidewall, measure the wheel, and compare that against the intended look of the vehicle. That approach prevents ordering a size that is historically plausible for the model but wrong for the wheels actually installed.

1958 Willys tires are available in several sidewall treatments depending on size. The 700-16 choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, 670-15 also includes blackwall and wide whitewall versions, and 640-15 includes wide whitewall and narrow whitewall offerings. All of them stay within a vintage bias-ply presentation, so the sidewall decision is mostly about visual character rather than changing the basic construction type.

For a utility-minded Willys, blackwalls usually suit a work-focused or commercial appearance, especially on the 226 and on truck-flavored applications. Whitewalls shift the look toward a more dressed, period passenger-car presentation, and the narrower whitewall available in 640-15 gives DJ-3A owners a subtler mid-century style than a full wide whitewall. Buyers interested in judged restoration should compare the sidewall treatment to period photos, factory literature, and marque-specific guidance for the exact body style and market.

Several brands cover 1958 Willys fitments, but the mix changes by size. The 700-16 offerings include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 670-15 range includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. The 640-15 range includes BFGoodrich and Firestone. All of these products stay in the bias-ply category for the listed Willys sizes.

That brand spread gives owners room to tailor the tire to the vehicle’s look and intended use without leaving the correct general construction style for the period. Some buyers will gravitate toward a traditional American-brand appearance on a restored domestic vehicle, while others may prefer a commercial-style blackwall option in the larger 700-16 size. The best way to narrow it down is to start with the correct size for the model and wheel, then compare the available sidewall presentation and any listed load or rim-width details within that size.

For a 1958 Willys using 670-15 tires, the listed Firestone and Coker Classic choices differ in sidewall presentation, load specification, and approved rim-width range. The Firestone blackwall example carries a load figure of 1,450 pounds at 32 psi and a listed rim-width range of 4.50 to 5.00 inches. The Coker Classic wide whitewall example carries a load figure of 1,550 pounds at 32 psi and a listed rim-width range of 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Both are bias-ply tires in the same nominal size.

Those differences mean the comparison is not only about branding but also about the wheel you are mounting to and the look you want the vehicle to have. A narrower stock-type wheel may align better with the Firestone listing, while a wider wheel and a more dressed whitewall appearance may point toward the Coker Classic option. The right choice comes from matching the tire’s listed rim-width window and sidewall style to the actual wheel and the overall character of the restoration.

Rim-width guidance for 1958 Willys tires depends on the exact size and product. In 700-16, listed examples show a 4.50 to 5.50-inch rim range. In 670-15, some products fit 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims while others are listed for 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims. In 640-15, listed products span 4.00 to 4.50 inches on one tire and 4.50 to 5.00 inches on others. There is no single rim-width number that covers the full 1958 Willys lineup.

That matters because two tires carrying the same nominal size can still have different approved wheel windows. Before final selection, measure the wheel width or confirm it from the wheel itself, then compare that number against the specific tire you are considering. This is especially important on older vehicles that may have replacement wheels from a different application. Getting the width right helps preserve the tire’s intended shape and avoids forcing a vintage-style casing onto a wheel that is too narrow or too wide.

The listed 1958 Willys tire offerings do not carry TT or TL markings in the size descriptions, so the page centers on size, construction, rim diameter, and sidewall style rather than assigning a universal tube requirement by size. All three Willys fitments are bias-ply designs, and tube use on vintage vehicles often depends on the wheel type and the individual tire’s sidewall marking rather than the size code alone. That is especially true on older steel wheels that may have seen decades of repainting, rust repair, or service changes.

The practical move is to inspect the wheel and confirm the specific tire’s sidewall marking before final setup. If the wheel is an original-style rim intended for tube use, or if the tire itself calls for a tube, follow that requirement rather than assuming all tires of the same nominal size are handled the same way. A tube, flap, valve stem, and wheel condition should be treated as one system on a collector vehicle, particularly when reliability matters on a longer local or touring drive.

A 1958 Willys should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber more quickly. Keep the vehicle in a dry, stable environment and maintain proper inflation so the tires are not left partially deflated under load. Bias-ply tires also tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than later radial designs, so long periods without movement are harder on ride quality.

If the vehicle will sit for an extended season, move it periodically or place it on stands so the tires are not carrying the same load point month after month. Clean the tires with mild soap and water rather than petroleum-based dressings, and avoid soaking the sidewalls in glossy protectants that can attract dust and hide cracking. Collector vehicles usually age their tires through time and storage conditions more than through mileage, so the storage environment becomes part of the tire-maintenance plan.

Tires on a 1958 Willys are usually judged more by age than by tread wear, since many collector vehicles see limited annual mileage. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection and professional evaluation around five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and that matters more than miles on a vehicle that spends much of its life parked.

Storage history can shorten or extend that timeline, so two Willys tires of the same age may not be in the same condition. Heat, sunlight, ozone, repeated underinflation, and long periods of sitting can all accelerate sidewall and casing deterioration. If a tire shows cracking, persistent air loss, bulging, or vibration that does not clear after a short drive, age should stop being an abstract number and become a replacement decision. Low mileage is not a guarantee of long tire life on vintage cars.

Tires on a 1958 Willys should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check pressure, look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs that the tire has been rubbing the fender, suspension, or steering components. Because many old vehicles spend time parked, also look for flat-spotting or weathering that might not be obvious at a glance. The spare deserves the same attention, since an aged spare is often the first thing forgotten.

A quick driveway inspection is usually enough for local use, but a longer trip justifies a more deliberate walk-around. Look closely at valve stems, wheel condition, and any tire that has been losing pressure between drives. On a collector Willys, the tire check should be part of a broader inspection that includes brakes, steering, and wheel-bearing condition. Catching a small crack, slow leak, or casing defect early is far easier than dealing with it on a roadside shoulder.

A 1958 Willys 226 would have been a bias-ply-era vehicle, and the listed 226 fitments here remain bias-ply in both 700-16 and 670-15 forms. That aligns with normal American practice for the period, when bias-ply construction was still standard on domestic vehicles and utility-oriented applications. The exact original size for an individual 226 depends on the wheel package and how that particular vehicle was configured, so the historically correct path begins with confirming whether your 226 was equipped with 15-inch or 16-inch wheels.

For restoration work, the most useful evidence is the combination of surviving wheel diameter, period literature, old photos, and marque-club experience with similarly equipped vehicles. Sidewall style also matters, since a blackwall utility look and a whitewall passenger-car look can both be era-appropriate in the abstract but not necessarily for the same vehicle presentation. A buyer trying to restore rather than simply refit a 226 should treat the size as one part of a larger authenticity picture that includes wheel type and intended trim level.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1958 Willys, especially in events that judge authenticity rather than simply overall cleanliness and presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the vehicle, whether the construction suits the era, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate to the class of vehicle being restored. On a 1958 Willys, using a size meant for the DJ-3A on a 226, or vice versa, would stand out as a visible error even before details like whitewall width are discussed.

The standard for “correct” does vary by event, so a local cruise night and a formal judged meet are not the same thing. A practical restoration approach is to first lock down the right model-specific size, then decide whether the visual target is commercial-duty blackwall, broad whitewall, or a narrower whitewall treatment. If the vehicle is headed for marque-focused judging, compare your choice with original literature and club guidance so the tire supports the story the rest of the restoration is telling.

For the 1958 Willys DJ-3A in 640-15, the BFGoodrich and Firestone options differ mainly in sidewall styling and listed rim-width fitment, even when the overall size remains the same. The BFGoodrich 3.00-inch whitewall is listed with a 1,190-pound load figure at 32 psi and fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. Firestone wide whitewall examples in the same size are also listed at 1,190 pounds at 32 psi but fit 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, while one Firestone narrow whitewall version is listed at 970 pounds at 32 psi.

That makes the decision more nuanced than simply choosing a brand name. A narrower original-type wheel may steer you toward the BFGoodrich listing, while a slightly wider wheel may better suit one of the Firestone versions. The visual effect changes too: a 3.00-inch whitewall, a 2.75-inch whitewall, a 2.125-inch whitewall, and a 1.00-inch whitewall all tell a slightly different period-style story. On a DJ-3A, matching wheel width and appearance goal is what separates a merely usable tire choice from a convincing restoration choice.

1958 Willys tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their design limits. All listed sizes are bias-ply, and one 700-16 Avon commercial-style tire carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling. Other listed tires do not show a speed letter here, so the safe operating envelope should be treated conservatively and matched to the character of a late-1950s Willys rather than to modern interstate expectations. Mechanical condition still matters as much as tire condition.

For real-world driving, the larger safety question is often whether the entire vehicle is ready for sustained speed. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and alignment on a 1958 Willys may reach their comfort limit before a fresh reproduction tire does. Bias-ply tires also track and react differently than modern radials, which can surprise drivers used to newer vehicles. A thoughtful owner should build speed gradually after installation, verify pressures cold, and make sure the vehicle feels stable and predictable before committing to longer highway miles.

Inflation pressure on a 1958 Willys should be tied to the exact tire size and the tire’s own rated specification, not borrowed from another Willys size. Listed examples include 700-16 tires at up to 1,800 pounds at 36 psi and 1,900 pounds at 36 psi, 670-15 tires at 1,450 pounds at 32 psi and 1,550 pounds at 32 psi, and 640-15 tires at 1,190 pounds at 32 psi with one narrow-whitewall example listed at 970 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures show that pressure and load can vary even within the same nominal size family.

The right procedure is to start with the vehicle manufacturer’s original recommended pressure for the intended use, then compare it against the individual tire’s rated information and never exceed the tire maker’s limit. A lightly loaded DJ-3A and a utility-oriented 226 are not necessarily served by the same pressure, even if both wear 15-inch tires. Check pressure cold, use an accurate gauge, and avoid inflating to the maximum number on the sidewall unless that is specifically appropriate for the vehicle’s load and operating conditions.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Willys, inspect every tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Confirm that the size on the vehicle matches the wheel diameter you expect, especially on a 226 that could be fitted with either 700-16 or 670-15. Check the spare as carefully as the road tires, and make sure the valve stems and wheel surfaces look sound. A tire that has sat for long periods can appear acceptable at a glance and still deserve closer scrutiny.

Tires are only one part of pre-trip readiness on a vehicle of this age, so pair that inspection with a broader check of brakes, steering response, wheel bearings, fluids, and lights. A short local test drive before the main outing can reveal pull, shake, brake fade, or heat buildup that a static inspection will miss. If the Willys has recently been returned to the road after storage, recheck pressures and wheel fasteners after the first few miles. Small problems are easier to solve in the garage than on the roadside.