1973 Dodge Tire Fitment Guide

1973 Dodge vehicles use 28 different tire sizes across eight model lines. Challenger uses 735-14, F78-14, and F70-14; Charger and Coronet share E78-14, F78-14, H78-14, HR78-14, G78-14, F70-14, and G70-14; Colt uses 600-13; Dart uses 695-14, D78-14, and E70-14; Monaco uses J78-15, LR78-15, L84-15, H78-15, and HR78-15; Pickup uses G78-15, H78-15, L78-15, LR78-15, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, 9.50R16.5, 950-16.5, 8.75R16.5, 8.00R16.5, 700-15, and 750-16; Polara uses J78-15, LR78-15, L84-15, G78-15, and GR78-15.

Rim diameters span 13, 14, 15, 16, and 16.5 inches, so year and make alone are not enough. Where rim-width guidance is available, it also changes by size, from compact 600-13 applications on 4.00 to 4.50-inch wheels to large truck and full-size fitments reaching 5.50 to 8.00 inches or more. The safest approach is to identify the exact model first, then compare the tire size already on the vehicle with the wheel diameter and sidewall style you want before choosing a replacement.

F70-14 is an alphanumeric bias-ply performance size used on certain 1973 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Coronet applications. The 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches, while the F70 portion is a vintage sizing code from the muscle-car era rather than a modern metric measurement. In this size, Firestone and Goodyear offer bias-ply tires with sidewall treatments such as redline, pin-white stripe, and raised white letters.

That matters because F70-14 is not just another generic 14-inch tire; it carries a specific early-1970s performance look and stance. If your goal is to preserve the visual language of a sporty Mopar from the period, this code points you toward the right family of tires. It is also a reminder not to substitute a different 14-inch size casually, since another alphanumeric code can change the proportions and overall appearance of the car.

No, 1973 Dodge models do not use one common tire size. The lineup ranges from the 600-13 used on the Dodge Colt to multiple 14-inch passenger-car sizes on Dart, Challenger, Charger, and Coronet, then into larger 15-inch full-size car fitments on Monaco and Polara, and finally several 15-inch, 16-inch, and 16.5-inch truck sizes on the Dodge Pickup. Some models share sizes within their class, but the full 1973 Dodge range does not.

That makes model identification the first real fitment step. A Charger and Coronet may overlap heavily, while a Pickup can use completely different wheel diameters and constructions from any Dodge car in the same model year. If you are unsure which Dodge you have, confirm the model designation and check the wheel diameter on the vehicle before comparing sidewall style, restoration goals, or radial-versus-bias preferences.

A 1973 Dodge can fall into either camp depending on model and size. Most sizes in the lineup are bias-ply, but radial choices do appear in HR78-14, LR78-15, HR78-15, GR78-15, and several 16.5-inch pickup sizes such as 9.50R16.5, 8.75R16.5, and 8.00R16.5. Bias-ply tires are the more period-typical construction for many 1973 Dodge applications, while radial choices reflect the industry’s shift toward newer road manners in that era.

The practical choice depends on your priorities. Buyers restoring a car for factory-style appearance often stay with the original-type bias-ply format, especially on muscle and full-size passenger cars where sidewall design is part of the look. Buyers who want a later-style road feel may prefer a radial where the correct size exists. The key is to match the construction decision to the exact size your model uses instead of assuming every 1973 Dodge has both options.

1973 Dodge tire coverage includes a wide range of sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, dual white stripe, dual redline, redline, pin-white stripe, and raised white letters. The available style depends heavily on the size. Muscle-oriented 14-inch sizes such as F70-14, G70-14, and E70-14 lean toward redlines, pin stripes, and raised white letters, while many full-size and compact bias-ply sizes appear in blackwall or whitewall forms.

That variety gives you room to tune the car’s appearance without leaving the correct size family. A Charger or Challenger often looks most at home with a sport sidewall treatment, while a Monaco, Polara, or Colt may call for a cleaner whitewall presentation if authenticity is the goal. If you are building to a judged standard, confirm the sidewall style expected for your exact model and market before settling on the final cosmetic choice.

1973 Dodge tire coverage includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, STA, US Royal, and Lester depending on the size. Some sizes are concentrated with one brand, such as LR78-15 from Firestone, while others span several makers, such as 700-15 from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, or 750-16 from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester. The brand mix changes significantly between passenger-car and pickup fitments.

That means brand choice often starts after size choice, not before. A 14-inch muscle-car size may open the door to Firestone or Goodyear sidewall themes, while a 16.5-inch pickup size may point you toward STA utility-focused patterns. If you already know the look you want, use that preference to narrow the exact size family first, then compare which brands offer the sidewall treatment and construction that best suit your 1973 Dodge.

Rim width requirements for 1973 Dodge tires vary by size. Examples include 735-14 on 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, F78-14 on 5.00 to 7.00-inch rims, F70-14 on 6.00 to 7.00-inch rims, 600-13 on 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 695-14 on 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, J78-15 on 5.50 to 7.00-inch rims, LR78-15 on 5.50 to 8.00-inch rims, 700-15 on 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 750-16 on 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, and 950-16.5 on 6.50 to 6.75-inch rims.

Those ranges are a strong reminder that the right wheel is part of the fitment, not an afterthought. Two tires may share the same rim diameter but still want different rim widths for proper shape and use. Before replacing tires on a 1973 Dodge, verify the actual wheel width on the car or truck and compare it to the acceptable range for the exact size you intend to run.

Tube requirements on 1973 Dodge tires can vary by size and by the specific tire within that size. E78-14 is a clear example, because one STA version is explicitly tubeless while other E78-14 offerings are not marked the same way. Many other sizes are not called out with a universal tube-type or tubeless marking across every product, so the exact sidewall specification matters more than the size code alone.

That is especially important on vintage wheels, where the wheel design may influence whether a tube is appropriate even if a tire exists in tubeless form. Rather than treating all 1973 Dodge tires in one size family the same, confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire and evaluate it against the wheel you plan to use. If the car is a restoration with original rims, a marque specialist or experienced installer can help confirm the safest combination.

Original 1973 Dodge wheels can only be reused when the wheel diameter matches the tire size being considered, and the lineup spans 13, 14, 15, 16, and 16.5-inch applications. A Dart or Challenger on 14-inch wheels is in a different fitment family from a Monaco on 15-inch wheels or a Pickup on 16.5-inch truck wheels. Even within one diameter, acceptable rim widths can change from one size to another.

The practical takeaway is to treat wheel reuse as a size-by-size question, not a year-and-make assumption. If the car still wears its original wheels, confirm the wheel diameter stamped on the rim and compare the width to the range appropriate for the replacement tire. That extra check helps prevent choosing a tire that may fit the model in general but is not the best match for the exact wheels currently on your 1973 Dodge.

A stored 1973 Dodge should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate rubber aging. Clean, dry surfaces and stable temperatures help any collector tire, but bias-ply tires deserve extra attention because they can flat-spot more readily during long static periods. Since 1973 Dodge applications include both bias-ply and radial designs, the exact construction on the car affects how noticeable storage effects may become.

For cars and trucks that sit for long stretches, move the vehicle periodically or place it on stands if appropriate for the storage plan. Keep tires inflated to a sensible maintenance pressure and recheck them before driving season begins. If the vehicle wears whitewalls, clean them gently and avoid storing with one side exposed to harsh light, since uneven cosmetic aging can become obvious long before tread wear becomes a concern.

Tires on a 1973 Dodge usually age out before they wear out, especially on collector vehicles that cover limited annual mileage. A sound rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the most useful age reference, even if the car has been stored carefully.

That matters because a vintage Dodge can look fine at a glance while the rubber has already hardened, cracked, or lost confidence-inspiring behavior on the road. Low-use cars are especially deceptive in this way. If you do not know when the tires were made, check the date code before planning road use, and inspect for sidewall weathering, tread separation concerns, or repeated air loss even if the car has traveled very few miles.

Tires on a 1973 Dodge should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, nails, and signs that a tire is losing pressure between uses. Because some 1973 Dodge fitments may involve tube-type or tubeless variations depending on the exact product, valve stems and any tube-related service items deserve the same attention as the casing itself.

Regular inspection matters more on a collector vehicle than many owners expect, because long periods of inactivity can age rubber and seals without obvious mileage wear. Make the check part of the start-up routine along with fluid, brake, and lighting checks. Catching a crack, pressure issue, or damaged valve stem in the garage is far easier than dealing with it on the shoulder after your 1973 Dodge is already on the road.

A 1973 Dodge Challenger would ordinarily have been associated with bias-ply tire construction in period, and the size family for Challenger applications here includes 735-14, F78-14, and F70-14. Those sizes reflect both standard full-profile and sportier alphanumeric performance-style fitments typical of early-1970s domestic coupes. Original-equipment branding could vary by model, market, and dealership history, so the safest historically grounded starting point is the correct size and construction type rather than a guessed OE brand.

For an accurate restoration, match the exact Challenger model and the visual theme you are trying to recreate. A factory-style whitewall bias-ply and a performance-oriented redline or raised-white-letter bias-ply can both be era-correct in the broad sense, but not for every individual car. If the goal is judged authenticity, compare your fender-tag, build information, and period photos with marque-club guidance before making the final sidewall choice.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1973 Dodge, especially in classes that emphasize originality or period-correct presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice the wrong overall size family, the wrong construction style, or a sidewall treatment that does not suit the model’s era and personality. On a car from 1973, a modern-looking radial where a bias-ply look is expected can change the stance and visual impression almost as much as an incorrect wheel.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard. Some shows reward tasteful, era-appropriate presentation, while stricter concours settings place greater weight on exact size, construction, and sidewall details. If your 1973 Dodge is being built for points judging, verify what your marque club or event manual expects before committing. If the car is more of a weekend cruiser, you may have more flexibility as long as the tire still looks appropriate to the vehicle.

For a 1973 Dodge in sizes such as F70-14, G70-14, and E70-14, Firestone Wide Oval and Goodyear Custom Wide Tread occupy a similar muscle-era bias-ply space but differ in sidewall offerings and some wheel-width coverage. Firestone appears with redline, pin-white stripe, and raised white letter versions, while Goodyear coverage includes raised white letter and redline versions depending on size. Rim-width guidance is close in several applications, though some Goodyear versions stretch slightly wider at the upper end.

The practical choice usually comes down to the exact visual language you want on the car. One owner may prefer the look associated with Firestone’s Wide Oval branding, while another wants the Goodyear style seen on many period performance cars. Since both stay within the correct bias-ply muscle-car theme for applicable 1973 Dodge models, the smarter comparison is sidewall appearance and wheel match rather than assuming one automatically fits every build better.

A properly sized, properly aged tire for a 1973 Dodge can be suitable for normal highway use when it is in sound condition and matched to the vehicle’s intended service. Most of the passenger-car sizes here are bias-ply, while some applications use radial formats such as HR78-14, LR78-15, HR78-15, and GR78-15, plus several pickup radial truck sizes. No speed-rating letters are called out across these products in the way a modern performance tire might be, so overall road-readiness depends heavily on condition, inflation, and the vehicle’s own mechanical health.

On a vintage Dodge, brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment are often just as important to highway confidence as the tires themselves. Before any sustained road use, make sure the tires are not aged out, the pressures are appropriate for the chosen size, and the chassis is behaving as it should. A fresh set of correct tires helps, but it does not override the realities of a 1973 car or truck with period engineering and maintenance needs.

Inflation pressure on a 1973 Dodge depends on the exact tire size and the tire’s own rated load-and-pressure specification. Examples include 735-14 at 1360 pounds and 32 psi, F70-14 at 1500 pounds and 32 psi, G70-14 at 1620 pounds and 32 psi, J78-15 at 1860 pounds and 32 psi, LR78-15 at 1970 pounds and 32 psi, 950-16.5 at 2780 pounds and 60 psi, and 750-16 ranging from 1660 pounds at 40 psi to 1850 pounds at 48 psi depending on the tire.

Those figures are load-and-pressure capacities for the tire itself, not a universal one-pressure answer for every 1973 Dodge. The right road pressure should be cross-checked against the vehicle’s original inflation guidance and the specific tire you are using. Do not transfer a 16.5-inch truck pressure to a 14-inch passenger-car tire, or vice versa. When in doubt, start with the vehicle recommendation and confirm it aligns with the tire maker’s capacity guidance.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 Dodge, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of age-related hardening. Check inflation pressures cold, look over the valve stems, and make sure the spare is usable and properly inflated. If the vehicle uses a truck-size or specialty fitment, confirm that all four road tires and the spare match the intended wheel diameter, since 15-inch, 16-inch, and 16.5-inch pickup applications are all part of the 1973 Dodge range.

Tire inspection is only one part of the pre-trip routine on a vehicle of this age. A longer outing is also the right time to confirm brakes, belts, hoses, fluid levels, charging system health, and lug-nut torque. Vintage Dodges can be very enjoyable road cars when sorted, but a careful once-over before departure does more for peace of mind than any single feature on the tire sidewall.