1968 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Nissan vehicles use seven sizes across five model lines. The Nissan 2000 uses 165R14 or 560-14 on 14-inch wheels, the L320 and L520 use 560-14 or 6.00-14 on 14-inch wheels, the PL510 uses 165R13 or 560-13 on 13-inch wheels, and the Patrol uses 6.50-15 or 700-15 on 15-inch wheels. Where rim-width guidance is published, 165R14 fits 4.0 to 6.0-inch ranges depending on product, 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches, 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on product, and 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50 inches.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1968 Nissan. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle before narrowing down to bias-ply or radial construction where both were offered.

On a 1968 Nissan, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width, and the 14 indicates a 14-inch wheel diameter. On this year and make, that size appears on the Nissan 2000, L320, and L520, and it is offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

Numeric sizes like 560-14 are part of the period-correct language of many 1950s and 1960s tires. If your goal is to preserve the original look and steering feel of a 1968 Nissan that used this size, it is the traditional route; if your car or truck also has a radial alternative, the construction choice becomes just as important as the size code itself.

On a 1968 Nissan, 165R13 and 165R14 are classic metric radial sizes. The 165 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final number is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year range, the missing aspect ratio is conventionally treated as an approximately 80-series profile, which is why these sizes look taller than many later low-profile radials.

That matters because these radial sizes appear only on the Nissan 2000 and PL510, not across the whole 1968 Nissan lineup. They are a natural fit for owners who want a period-looking metric radial rather than a domestic-style numeric bias-ply tire, but the wheel diameter still has to match the tire exactly.

No. The 1968 Nissan range splits across passenger cars, pickups, and a utility four-wheel-drive, so tire sizes vary by model. The 2000 uses 14-inch car sizes, the L320 and L520 use 14-inch pickup sizes, the PL510 uses 13-inch sizes, and the Patrol uses 15-inch sizes that are unique to that model.

That variation is why a broad search for 1968 Nissan tires can point you in several different directions. If you are unsure whether you have a roadster, sedan, pickup, or Patrol wheel setup, verify the model and the actual wheel diameter before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or constructions.

For a 1968 Nissan 2000, the choice between 560-14 and 165R14 is mainly a choice between bias-ply and radial construction. The 560-14 keeps the car in a traditional numeric bias-ply format with blackwall or whitewall styling, while the 165R14 moves to a classic metric radial format in blackwall form from Pirelli, Michelin, or Vredestein. The radial options also carry H speed ratings with a 130 mph ceiling on the products that show them.

Owners restoring a roadster to a strongly period presentation often lean toward the bias-ply size because the look and construction are era-authentic. Owners who plan to drive their 1968 Nissan 2000 more regularly on modern roads often prefer the radial alternative, provided the wheel and overall restoration goals support that choice.

Sidewall style depends heavily on the size used by your 1968 Nissan. The radial sizes 165R14 and 165R13 are blackwall only, while 560-14 is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. The 560-13 size for the PL510 comes in narrow whitewall or wide whitewall form, and 700-15 for the Patrol is offered in blackwall or wide whitewall.

For many late-1960s Japanese cars and trucks sold in the U.S., blackwalls generally feel more natural to the original market character, while whitewalls can suit certain restoration tastes or dealer-era styling preferences. If show authenticity matters, compare the sidewall treatment on your 1968 Nissan against period photos, surviving original cars, and marque-club guidance rather than choosing by size alone.

1968 Nissan tire coverage includes Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Dunlop, and STA, depending on size. The 165R14 radial is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; 560-14 comes from BFGoodrich; 165R13 comes from Michelin and Dunlop; 560-13 comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone; and 700-15 comes from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Brand choice is tied to size first, not just to year and make.

That means the right brand comparison starts only after you know whether your 1968 Nissan uses a 13-, 14-, or 15-inch fitment and whether it is staying bias-ply or moving to a radial where applicable. Once the size is confirmed, then it makes sense to compare sidewall appearance, published load figures, and rim-width compatibility.

Published rim-width guidance varies by size on 1968 Nissan applications. For 165R14, published fitments span 4.0 to 6.0 inches depending on product; 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches; 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches; 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on product; and 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50 inches on the products that publish a range. Those numbers are size-specific and should not be transferred from one 1968 Nissan size to another.

Rim width matters because two tires with the same wheel diameter can still expect different wheel widths. Before mounting tires on a 1968 Nissan, measure or verify the actual wheel width so the selected size stays within the approved range for that product.

Inner-tube requirements on 1968 Nissan tires depend on the exact size and product. Michelin 165R14 and Michelin 165R13 products carry TL tubeless markings, while other radial products in those same sizes do not always spell out tube status in the size stamp. The bias-ply products shown here do not uniformly carry TL markings, so tube use should be confirmed against the tire's sidewall marking and the wheel design itself.

That is especially important on older wheels, where the tire construction and the wheel's original design both affect the final setup. If your 1968 Nissan still uses original wheels, inspect the rim condition and verify whether the specific tire is marked for tube-type or tubeless service before final assembly.

A stored 1968 Nissan should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone-producing equipment, standing moisture, and long periods on underinflated tires. Bias-ply tires, which cover much of the 1968 Nissan range, can flat-spot more readily during static storage, while any vintage-style sidewall can age prematurely when exposed to heat and ozone.

For seasonal storage, keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and either move the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged load on one contact patch. Those habits help preserve ride quality, sidewall appearance, and casing shape whether your 1968 Nissan is a PL510, roadster, pickup, or Patrol.

On a collector-driven 1968 Nissan, tire age usually matters more than mileage. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code and the tire's overall condition tell a much better story than odometer readings alone.

That matters because many 1968 Nissan vehicles see infrequent use and can retain plenty of tread while the rubber compound and casing continue to age. If the car has been parked for long stretches, inspect for sidewall cracking, hardening, deformation, or vibration before assuming the tires still have dependable service life.

Tires on a 1968 Nissan should be checked before every drive, with extra attention before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, and confirm that each tire is holding pressure consistently. On setups that use tubes, the valve stem area deserves close attention as well.

A quick inspection routine is especially important on cars and trucks that spend much of their time parked. Catching aging issues early can prevent a minor storage-related problem from turning into a roadside failure during the next club drive, highway run, or weekend event.

For a 1968 Nissan 2000, bias-ply construction would have been the normal original-era expectation, and 560-14 reflects that period-correct format. The presence of 165R14 radial coverage gives owners a historically appropriate vintage radial alternative, but it does not change the fact that late-1960s sports cars of this type were commonly delivered on bias-ply tires unless a radial fitment was specifically selected for a market or later update.

If originality matters, start with 560-14 and then compare your car against period literature, surviving unrestored examples, and Nissan roadster club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile because export-market details, dealer practices, and owner changes over the decades can blur what was truly original on an individual 1968 Nissan 2000.

Yes, correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1968 Nissan. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the era and model. A radial on a car judged for factory originality, or an eye-catching whitewall on a model that more naturally wore blackwalls in period, can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every 1968 Nissan must wear the same tire to be appreciated, because many owners build for touring rather than concours. It does mean you should decide early whether the car is being restored for authenticity, period style, or regular road use, then choose a size and sidewall treatment that support that goal consistently.

For the 1968 Nissan 2000 in 165R14, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both radial blackwall choices, but they differ in published fitment details. Michelin XAS carries a 165HR14 84H marking with TL tubeless marking and a rim-width range of 4.50 to 6.00 inches, while Vredestein Sprint Classic uses 165HR14 84H with a rim-width range of 4.0 to 5.5 inches and a published load figure of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi.

The practical takeaway is that two tires in the same size can still differ in wheel-width compatibility and sidewall marking details. On a 1968 Nissan 2000, check your actual wheel width and the sidewall stamp on the specific tire before making a final decision between comparable vintage radial products.

1968 Nissan tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size, condition, and construction match the vehicle and the tire's published ratings. The 165R13 and 165R14 radial options include H-rated versions with a 130 mph ceiling, while the bias-ply sizes rely more on traditional vintage construction and should be driven with the expectations appropriate to older tire design. On a 1968 Nissan, the condition of the chassis, brakes, steering, and suspension is often just as important as the tire itself.

Highway use is not simply a question of whether a tire fits the wheel. Before taking a 1968 Nissan onto faster roads, match the tire to the intended use, confirm pressures and general condition, and remember that a fifty-plus-year-old vehicle may reach its comfort and control limits well before the tire reaches its rating ceiling.

Inflation pressure on a 1968 Nissan should follow the vehicle's original pressure recommendation first, then be checked against the tire's own sidewall limits and load rating. Several bias-ply sizes publish maximum load-and-pressure figures, including 560-14 at 906 pounds at 30 psi, 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi, and 700-15 at 1,700 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are not blanket operating pressures for every 1968 Nissan application.

The right approach is to use the factory recommendation for your specific model as the baseline, then make sure the chosen tire is being operated within its own published limits. Never borrow a pressure figure from a Patrol tire for a PL510, or from a radial roadster tire for a pickup, simply because the vehicles share the same year and make.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Nissan, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check the valve stems, especially if the setup may use tubes, and pay attention to any vibration or pull that suggests an aging or damaged casing. Tire condition should be part of a broader pre-drive look at brakes, steering, fluids, and wheel hardware.

That habit matters even more on vehicles that spend long periods parked between outings. A 1968 Nissan that feels fine around town can still reveal old rubber, low pressure, or a weakened spare once heat and distance build on a longer trip, so a careful walkaround is time well spent.