1970 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1970 Nissan vehicles use seven sizes across five model lines. The Nissan 2000 uses 165R14 or 560-14, the L320 uses 560-14 or 6.00-14, the L520 uses 560-14 or 6.00-14, the PL510 uses 165R13 or 560-13, and the Patrol uses 6.50-15 or 700-15. Rim diameter follows the size family: 13-inch for the PL510, 14-inch for the 2000 and the two small trucks, and 15-inch for the Patrol. Where rim-width guidance exists, 165R14 fits 4.0 to 6.0-inch wheels depending on brand, 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00, 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50, and 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1970 Nissan. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm whether the car or truck is staying with a bias-ply size or moving within its correct radial option where one exists. On vehicles like the 2000 and PL510, that construction choice affects appearance and road feel. On the Patrol and the small trucks, the priority is confirming the correct 14-inch or 15-inch utility size before comparing products.

On a 1970 Nissan, 560-14 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. It appears on the Nissan 2000, L320, and L520, all on 14-inch wheels. Available versions include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, and the load figure in this size reaches 906 pounds at 30 psi.

That code matters because it identifies both the physical wheel diameter and the tire's older construction type. A buyer looking at a 1970 Nissan 2000 may also see 165R14, which is a radial size on the same 14-inch wheel diameter, so 560-14 is the more traditional route for originality. On the L320 and L520, 560-14 sits alongside 6.00-14 in the same general period truck category, making exact model and wheel confirmation important before choosing a product.

On a 1970 Nissan, 165R13 and 165R14 are older Euro-metric radial sizes. The 165 refers to a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the final number is the wheel diameter in inches. 165R13 is used on the PL510, while 165R14 is used on the 2000. These sizes are available as blackwall radials, and the products in both families carry H speed ratings with a 130 mph ceiling.

Modern buyers often expect a metric tire to show a slash-format aspect ratio, but these older radial sizes usually do not. In practice, they represent a classic radial fitment appropriate to late-1960s and early-1970s passenger cars. If your 1970 Nissan is a 2000 or PL510, the metric radial size is the one to compare first when road manners and period-correct radial appearance matter. The size still needs to match the wheel diameter exactly, so 13-inch and 14-inch applications are not interchangeable.

For a 1970 Nissan 2000, the choice between 165R14 and 560-14 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction on the same 14-inch wheel diameter. The 165R14 radial is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in blackwall form, while the 560-14 bias-ply is available from BFGoodrich in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The radial size carries H speed-rated versions with a 130 mph ceiling, while the bias-ply size stays in the traditional vintage construction category.

That usually makes the decision less about raw fitment and more about the character you want from the car. Owners restoring a 1970 Nissan 2000 for an authentic period look often lean toward 560-14 bias-ply, especially when whitewall styling matters. Owners who plan to drive the car more regularly often prefer the 165R14 radial because it keeps the car in a correct size family while using a later construction style. Confirm wheel width before making the final call, since radial and bias-ply recommendations are not identical.

Sidewall styling varies quite a bit across 1970 Nissan tire sizes. The radial passenger-car sizes 165R14 and 165R13 are available as blackwalls. The bias-ply passenger and small-truck sizes 560-14 and 560-13 add blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices depending on size and brand. The larger 700-15 Patrol size comes in blackwall and wide whitewall form, while the other utility sizes remain more straightforward in period character.

The best style depends on the model and the way the vehicle is being finished. A blackwall usually looks most natural on sporting or utilitarian 1970 Nissan applications such as the 2000, PL510, or Patrol, while whitewalls fit a more distinctly vintage presentation when that visual treatment suits the build. The key is to keep sidewall style, size, and construction working together. A restoration-minded car with an otherwise original look can appear visually inconsistent if the sidewall treatment feels out of step with the era or model's personality.

Several brands cover 1970 Nissan applications, depending on the exact size. 165R14 is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. 560-14 uses BFGoodrich, 165R13 uses Michelin and Dunlop, 560-13 uses BFGoodrich and Firestone, and 700-15 uses Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those brands span both radial and bias-ply construction, so the name on the sidewall often follows the size and vehicle type rather than the year and make alone.

That spread is useful because it gives a 1970 Nissan owner room to prioritize either authenticity, sidewall appearance, or a particular construction style within the correct size family. A 2000 or PL510 owner shopping radial sizes will be looking at European-style blackwall offerings, while someone restoring a 560-series or 700-15 bias-ply fitment will see more traditional American-brand presentation. Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter, not before, because not every brand covers every Nissan model in this year.

Rim-width guidance for 1970 Nissan tires depends on the exact size. 165R14 works with 4.0 to 6.0-inch wheels depending on brand, including 4.50 to 6.00-inch and 4.0 to 5.5-inch applications. 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch wheels. 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch wheels, 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch wheels depending on brand, and 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch wheels.

Those ranges show why wheel width should be checked before ordering, especially if a 1970 Nissan has aftermarket wheels or has changed tire construction over time. A radial size often wants a wider wheel range than its bias-ply counterpart, even when both fit the same rim diameter. Measure the wheel you actually have, not the wheel you assume is original. That is especially important on sports cars and sedans that may have been upgraded decades ago, and on trucks that may have lived hard working lives.

Tube requirement depends on the exact 1970 Nissan tire size and the specific product. Michelin's 165R14 and 165R13 radials are marked tubeless, while other products in those radial size families do not all carry the same marking. The bias-ply sizes shown here do not all identify tube status in the same way, so tube choice should follow the tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's design rather than a broad year-and-make assumption.

That matters most when a 1970 Nissan still uses original wheels, because an older wheel can influence whether tube-type operation is appropriate even when the tire itself is available in a tubeless form. Check the actual tire designation and inspect the wheel condition before installation. If you are restoring a truck or Patrol with older service wheels, take extra care to confirm stem condition, bead-seat condition, and whether the wheel was intended to run with a tube in period.

A stored 1970 Nissan should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and stable indoor temperatures are better than repeated heat cycling. Bias-ply tires such as 560-14, 6.00-14, 560-13, 6.50-15, and 700-15 can flat-spot more readily during long static storage than radial sizes like 165R14 and 165R13.

If the car or truck will sit for extended periods, increase attention to tire shape and contact patch condition. Rolling the vehicle periodically helps, and some owners use stands to reduce sustained load during long-term storage. Keep inflation checked even when the vehicle is not being driven, because underinflation during storage can stress the casing. On a collector Nissan that is only used seasonally, good storage habits often matter more to tire life than annual mileage does.

On a 1970 Nissan, tire age is usually more important than tread wear because many collector vehicles see limited mileage. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread remains. The DOT date code and the tire's overall condition matter more than odometer reading on a vintage car, truck, or Patrol that may spend long periods parked.

That means a nice-looking set of tires on a seldom-driven 1970 Nissan should not be judged by appearance alone. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, and prolonged air loss can all point to aging regardless of tread depth. If the vehicle sees highway use or longer weekend drives, be more conservative about age. A collector tire can still look presentable while no longer being the right choice for dependable road use, especially after years of storage or irregular maintenance.

Tires on a 1970 Nissan should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire has been run underinflated. Pressure should be checked regularly, not guessed by appearance, especially on bias-ply tires whose shape can change with age and load. If the wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, valve stems and leakage deserve the same attention as the tread and casing.

Frequent inspection is especially important on older vehicles because tire condition is only one part of the car's overall readiness. A Patrol or light truck that spends time parked outside can suffer weather-related aging, while a 2000 or PL510 stored indoors may still develop flat-spotting or slow pressure loss between drives. Make tire inspection part of your normal pre-drive routine along with brake, steering, and fluid checks. That habit catches small problems before they become breakdowns or safety issues.

For a 1970 Nissan 2000, the original-era tire discussion centers on 14-inch fitments in either 560-14 bias-ply or 165R14 radial form. By 1970, radial tires were already established in some passenger-car applications, while bias-ply construction still remained familiar in the market. That makes both size families historically relevant to the model depending on market, equipment history, and how the car was delivered. No specific original equipment tire brand should be assumed without model-specific reference material.

If authenticity matters, confirm the exact standard for your car before choosing a tire simply because it fits a 14-inch wheel. A concours-minded owner should check factory literature, period road tests, and Nissan marque specialists to determine whether a given car is best represented by a bias-ply or radial appearance. For many restorations, the important thing is that the size family, construction, and sidewall presentation all make sense together for a 1970 sports roadster rather than mixing cues from different eras.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1970 Nissan because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. A PL510 on a bias-ply 560-13 presents differently from the same car on a 165R13 radial, and a 2000 on a wide whitewall 560-14 communicates a different restoration intent than a blackwall radial 165R14. On trucks and Patrols, the visual effect of choosing the right 14-inch or 15-inch utility size is just as important.

What counts as correct can vary by show, club, and restoration goal, so event-specific standards matter. A local driver-quality event may accept tasteful alternatives more freely than a marque-focused concours class. Before finalizing tires for a judged 1970 Nissan, check with the relevant club or judging handbook to see whether construction, sidewall style, and size family are all part of the scoring. That step helps avoid losing authenticity points over a detail that can be difficult and expensive to revise later.

For a 1970 Nissan 2000 in 165R14, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both blackwall radials, but they differ in wheel-fit range and some published specifications. Michelin XAS in this size fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch wheels and is marked tubeless, while Vredestein Sprint Classic fits 4.0 to 5.5-inch wheels. Both carry an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. Vredestein also shows a published load figure of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi.

That makes the comparison less about appearance and more about matching the tire to the wheel already on the car. A 1970 Nissan owner with a narrower 14-inch wheel may find the Vredestein range lines up neatly, while a slightly wider original-style or replacement wheel may point toward the Michelin fit range. Since both are classic-style radials in the same size family, the smartest next step is to measure wheel width and choose the tire whose approved rim range most closely matches it.

1970 Nissan tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire size, construction, age, and condition all match the intended use. The radial passenger-car sizes 165R13 and 165R14 include H-rated products with a 130 mph ceiling, which is well above normal U.S. highway speeds. The bias-ply sizes used on the trucks and Patrol are vintage-style constructions whose road behavior differs from a modern radial, especially in tracking and transient feel, even when fully serviceable.

The tire's speed capability is only part of the picture on a 1970 Nissan. Braking, steering condition, suspension wear, wheel alignment, and the vehicle's original design limits often matter more than the tire's published ceiling in normal driving. A well-maintained PL510 or 2000 on fresh radials will feel different from a Patrol or L-series truck on bias-ply tires, so drive within the character of the vehicle. Age and condition should always be weighed before taking any vintage Nissan onto faster roads.

Inflation pressure on a 1970 Nissan should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the model and the tire manufacturer's published limit for the exact tire. Some vintage sizes here include load-and-pressure figures, such as 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 describe rated capacity at a given pressure for that tire size and product family, not a blanket operating pressure for every 1970 Nissan.

Use those numbers carefully. A sports car, sedan, light truck, and Patrol do not necessarily want the same running pressure even if they are from the same year and make. Start with the factory recommendation for your exact model if you have it, then make sure your chosen tire's maximum rated pressure is not exceeded. Never borrow a pressure figure from a different size family just because the wheel diameter matches. Correct pressure is one of the simplest ways to preserve ride quality, wear, and safety.

Before a longer drive in a 1970 Nissan, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Check the spare as well, because a vintage spare that has sat untouched for years may be unusable when needed most. If the vehicle uses a setup that requires or may require tubes, inspect valve stems and look for any signs of leakage around the stem or bead area. Wheel fastener torque and overall wheel condition also deserve attention.

A good tire inspection should happen alongside a broader mechanical once-over. Brake performance, wheel bearings, steering play, coolant, charging system health, and fuel-system condition can all matter just as much on a 1970 Nissan headed out for a tour or highway run. Tires are often the first visible clue that the car has been neglected, but they are rarely the only concern. Treat the pre-drive check as a whole-vehicle exercise, especially if the Nissan has been sitting or only driven occasionally.