1973 International Tire Fitment Guide

1973 International vehicles use eight sizes across the model range: E78-15, F78-15, G78-15, H78-15, 700-15, 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5. The Scout uses E78-15, F78-15, G78-15, and H78-15; the Pickup 1010 uses G78-15 and H78-15; the Pickup 1110 and Travelall 1010 and 1110 use 700-15, G78-15, and H78-15; the Pickup 1210 and 1310 use 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5; and the Travelall 1210 uses 800-16.5 and 875-16.5.

That split means year and make alone are not enough for a correct tire choice. Start by identifying the exact model and then confirm whether the vehicle carries a 15-inch or 16.5-inch wheel, because that divides the lighter-duty and heavier-duty International applications. Rim-width guidance is available for several sizes as well: G78-15 fits 5.00 to 7.00-inch rims, H78-15 fits 5.50 to 7.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 800-16.5 fits 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 950-16.5 fits 6.50 to 6.75-inch rims.

On a 1973 International, G78-15 is an alphanumeric bias-ply tire size. The G78 portion identifies the tire's relative size group in the era's alphanumeric system, and the 15 means it mounts on a 15-inch wheel. That size appears on the Pickup 1010, Pickup 1110, Scout, Travelall 1010, and Travelall 1110. Available versions include wide whitewall and blackwall styles, so the same basic size can suit either a more passenger-style appearance or a more truck-oriented look.

Modern buyers often assume that alphanumeric sizes behave like today's metric radials, but they are rooted in the period bias-ply sizing system used through the era. On a 1973 International, the practical takeaway is simple: G78-15 identifies a 15-inch bias-ply fitment shared across several lighter-duty models, but it is still not interchangeable by assumption with H78-15 or 700-15. Confirm the exact size shown for your model and compare it with the wheel already on the truck before making a final choice.

No, 1973 International models do not all use the same tire size. The year spans compact utility vehicles, lighter pickups and wagons, and heavier-duty trucks, so fitment is divided between multiple 15-inch sizes and several 16.5-inch sizes. Scout applications include E78-15 and F78-15 that do not appear on the other models, while the Pickup 1210, Pickup 1310, and Travelall 1210 use 16.5-inch truck sizes that are separate from the 15-inch group.

That variation matters because an International owner can easily arrive at the right make and year but still choose the wrong tire if the model is not confirmed first. The safest path is to identify the exact model designation on the vehicle, then verify the existing wheel diameter before narrowing the choice to one of the approved sizes. That approach is especially important on restored trucks and wagons, where wheel swaps over the decades can blur what was originally fitted.

1973 International tires are available in both wide whitewall and blackwall styles, but the availability depends on size. G78-15 and H78-15 come in wide whitewall and blackwall versions, and 700-15 also offers both styles. The 16.5-inch heavy-duty sizes—800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5—are blackwall truck tires. That means the lighter-duty pickups, Travelalls, and some Scout applications have the broadest cosmetic range, while the heavier truck fitments stay firmly in commercial-style territory.

For a 1973 International restoration, sidewall choice changes the truck's character almost as much as the wheel itself. Wide whitewalls suit owners aiming for a more passenger-influenced, showroom-era look on appropriate 15-inch applications, while blackwalls fit a more utilitarian or truck-focused presentation. On the 16.5-inch models, blackwall is the natural visual match because those sizes are tied to heavy-duty truck service. If originality matters for judging or a high-end restoration, compare your choice against period photos and model-specific references.

Four brands cover the available 1973 International sizes: Coker Classic, STA, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. G78-15 and H78-15 are available from Coker Classic and STA, 700-15 is available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, and the 16.5-inch sizes—800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5—are offered by STA. Brand selection is strongest in the 15-inch group, especially where whitewall passenger-style bias-ply tires are part of the search.

That brand split gives buyers a useful clue about the character of each size. The 15-inch sizes overlap with passenger and wagon applications, so they attract traditional collector-tire brands and multiple sidewall choices. The 16.5-inch sizes are more commercial in nature, so the offerings center on truck-oriented blackwall designs. If you are narrowing the right tire for a 1973 International, pick the size first, then compare brands within that size by sidewall appearance, load rating where available, and the overall look you want on the vehicle.

On 1973 International heavy-duty fitments, STA Traxion and STA Super Transport appear in the 800-16.5 and 950-16.5 sizes. Both are blackwall bias-ply truck tires, but they represent different tread families within the same broad commercial-use category. In 950-16.5, both carry the same maximum load rating of 2780 pounds at 60 psi, while their weights differ slightly at 40 pounds for Traxion and 41 pounds for Super Transport. In 800-16.5, Super Transport carries a maximum load rating of 2045 pounds at 60 psi.

For a buyer, the choice is less about changing wheel fitment and more about selecting the truck-style tire character that suits the vehicle's use and appearance. Both belong on the heavier 16.5-inch International applications, not the lighter 15-inch models. If your truck is a Pickup 1210, Pickup 1310, or Travelall 1210, compare the exact size first and then choose the tread family that best matches your restoration goals and the kind of road use the vehicle will actually see.

Several 1973 International sizes have defined rim-width ranges. G78-15 fits 5.00 to 7.00-inch rims, H78-15 fits 5.50 to 7.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 800-16.5 fits 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 950-16.5 fits 6.50 to 6.75-inch rims. Those ranges show that not every tire in the International family belongs on the same wheel, even when the rim diameter matches. The 15-inch group alone still spans different recommended widths.

That is why wheel verification matters before ordering a replacement tire for a 1973 International. A tire can share the correct diameter and still be wrong for the wheel if the rim width falls outside the recommended range. This is especially relevant on trucks and wagons that may have had wheels swapped during decades of service or restoration. Measure the actual wheel, not just the old tire, and treat the wheel already on the vehicle as something to confirm rather than assume.

Original 1973 International wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all tire sizes, because the range is split between 15-inch and 16.5-inch applications. A 15-inch wheel can accept only the 15-inch sizes such as 700-15, G78-15, H78-15, E78-15, or F78-15, while the heavier-duty 800-16.5, 875-16.5, and 950-16.5 sizes require 16.5-inch wheels. Even within the same diameter, rim-width recommendations differ by size.

For the owner of a 1973 International, that means wheel diameter is the first checkpoint and rim width is the second. A Pickup 1210 or 1310 running 16.5-inch heavy-duty tires is in a completely different fitment family than a Scout or lighter Pickup using 15-inch tires. Before mounting anything, confirm the stamping or measured diameter of the wheel and compare it to the tire size you intend to use. That step prevents forcing a size choice around a wheel that does not actually belong on the vehicle.

A 1973 International should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than many later radial designs, so long idle periods deserve a little extra attention. If the vehicle will sit for months, rolling it periodically or supporting some weight with stands can help reduce stress on the carcass while keeping the suspension loaded appropriately.

Collector trucks and utility vehicles often spend more time parked than driven, which makes storage habits just as important as mileage. Keep the tires off damp ground, avoid petroleum contamination, and use covers if the vehicle is stored where light reaches the sidewalls. On a heavier International pickup or Travelall, storage discipline matters even more because the vehicle's weight can exaggerate flat spotting and sidewall fatigue over time. Good storage will preserve both appearance and service life.

Tires on a 1973 International should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. A sound collector-vehicle rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and to treat ten years as a serious replacement point even if tread remains. That guidance matters because vintage trucks, Scouts, and Travelalls often see limited mileage but long periods of storage, which can age the rubber from time, heat, and ozone rather than wear alone.

A low-mileage tire can still be overdue if the sidewalls are drying, cracking, hardening, or losing the ability to hold pressure consistently. Check the date code on each tire and consider how the vehicle has been stored, driven, and loaded over time. On a 1973 International, old but attractive bias-ply tires can tempt an owner to stretch service life, especially on a restored truck. Resist that temptation and make age-based evaluation part of routine collector-vehicle care.

Tires on a 1973 International should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, irregular wear, and any sign that the tire has lost pressure since the last use. Because these vehicles often sit for extended periods, a visual check after storage is especially important. A truck or Scout can appear ready to go while the tires have aged significantly since the previous trip.

Longer drives call for an even more thorough inspection that includes the spare, the valve stems, and the overall condition of each wheel. If your International uses a truck-oriented bias-ply tire, pay attention to how evenly the tread is wearing and whether the vehicle has developed any pull or vibration since the last drive. Frequent inspection is a simple habit that catches age-related problems early and helps preserve the drivability and safety of a vintage truck that may not get exercised often.

A 1973 International Pickup 1010 used bias-ply tires, with G78-15 and H78-15 appearing in the period-correct fitment range for that model. Bias-ply construction was still the normal factory-era type for many domestic truck applications in the early 1970s, so staying with a bias-ply casing keeps the truck aligned with its original character. Whitewall and blackwall choices exist within those sizes, which means appearance can vary while remaining within the same basic construction family.

For an accurate restoration, the next step is matching the exact size and sidewall style to the truck's equipment level, market presentation, and restoration goal. A work-oriented 1010 may look most natural on a blackwall, while a more passenger-influenced truck restoration may call for a whitewall presentation. If the truck is being judged or restored to a very specific build, consult marque specialists, factory literature, and period photos to confirm the exact presentation expected for that particular Pickup 1010.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1973 International, especially in restoration classes where judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the model and era. A Scout wearing the wrong 15-inch size, or a heavier 1210 truck fitted with a lighter-duty 15-inch look instead of its proper 16.5-inch family, can stand out immediately. The same is true when the sidewall presentation conflicts with the vehicle's intended period character.

That does not mean every event judges with the same level of strictness, but tire choice is one of the easiest details to get visibly right. Owners aiming for authenticity should think beyond simple diameter and pay attention to whether the vehicle wants a passenger-style whitewall or a truck-style blackwall. If concours accuracy is the goal, use marque clubs and event rule books to confirm what a specific class rewards or penalizes, because standards can vary between truck shows and marque-specific events.

For 1973 International G78-15 and H78-15 fitments, Coker Classic and STA serve two clearly different visual roles within the same bias-ply size family. Coker Classic offers wide whitewall versions in both sizes, while STA appears in blackwall truck-oriented designs. On G78-15, Coker Classic carries a maximum load rating of 1620 pounds at 32 psi, and on H78-15 Coker Classic carries 1770 pounds at 32 psi while STA Traxion reaches 1830 pounds at 45 psi.

That means the choice is often about presentation and use rather than basic fitment alone. A 1973 International restored with a more passenger-style look may lean toward the whitewall Coker Classic options, while a truck or utility vehicle with a harder-working visual theme may fit naturally with an STA blackwall tread. Both keep the vehicle in an era-appropriate bias-ply construction; the better choice depends on whether you are recreating showroom appearance, utility character, or a specific period-correct personality.

1973 International tires can be suitable for normal highway use when they are the correct size, properly inflated, in sound condition, and mounted on the correct wheel. All of the available fitments here are bias-ply designs, which means they retain the period construction these trucks and utility vehicles were built around. None of these sizes show modern high-speed performance branding, so they should be treated as vintage-style tires intended for the operating character of the vehicles they serve rather than as modern performance tires.

On a 1973 International, the vehicle's own age, steering feel, suspension condition, and braking capability often set the real limits before the tire does at ordinary road speeds. Safe highway use starts with realistic expectations, careful inspection, and conservative driving suited to an early-1970s truck, wagon, or utility vehicle. If the vehicle has been parked for extended periods, inspect every tire closely before relying on it for highway travel, and remember that a good-looking old bias-ply tire is not automatically a roadworthy one.

Inflation pressure on a 1973 International depends on the exact tire size and tire model. G78-15 carries a maximum load figure of 1620 pounds at 32 psi, H78-15 ranges from 1770 pounds at 32 psi to 1830 pounds at 45 psi depending on the tire, 700-15 reaches 1700 pounds at 32 psi, 800-16.5 reaches 2045 pounds at 60 psi on the Super Transport version, and 950-16.5 reaches 2780 pounds at 60 psi. Those are tire ratings, not universal running pressures for every application.

Use the original International guidance as your starting point for vehicle-specific operating pressure, then compare it with the tire manufacturer's load-and-pressure limits for the exact tire you have chosen. Do not transfer a pressure from one size to another just because both mount on the same wheel diameter. A Pickup 1010 on G78-15 and a Pickup 1310 on 950-16.5 live in very different load classes, so pressure should always follow the exact tire and the vehicle's intended use.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 International, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, weathering, uneven tread wear, and any sign of previous impact damage. Verify inflation when the tires are cold, and make sure the spare is present and serviceable rather than simply holding air. Heavier-duty trucks on 16.5-inch tires deserve the same scrutiny as lighter 15-inch models, especially if the vehicle has spent long periods parked between trips.

A prudent pre-trip check should also include the wheels, valve stems, lug torque, steering response, brakes, and the basic mechanical systems that support a vintage truck on the road. The tires are only one part of the travel equation, but they are the part in direct contact with the pavement and often reveal age-related problems first. On any 1973 International, a careful walkaround before departure is one of the simplest ways to avoid turning a pleasure drive into a recovery problem.