1979 International Tire Fitment Guide

1979 International vehicles in this application use three tire sizes on the Scout II: 225/75R15, H78-15, and HR78-15. All three mount on 15-inch wheels. For products with published rim-width guidance, 225/75R15 fits rims from 6.00 to 8.00 inches wide depending on brand, while H78-15 fits rims from 5.50 to 7.00 inches wide.

That means the first step for a 1979 International owner is not identifying a different model, but deciding which tire size and construction best fit the vehicle’s intended look and use. A Scout II built for restoration-minded presentation may lean toward the alphanumeric bias-ply size, while a driver-focused truck may point you toward one of the radial choices. Confirm the wheel width on the actual vehicle before settling on a final tire.

H78-15 is an alphanumeric bias-ply size used on the 1979 International Scout II. The H identifies the tire’s size class within the older alphanumeric system, and the 15 means it fits a 15-inch wheel. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not spell out section width and aspect ratio in millimeters and percentages.

For a 1979 International owner, H78-15 usually appeals to a more traditional look and driving feel because it stays in the period alphanumeric bias-ply format. It is also offered in different visual styles, including wide whitewall and blackwall. If your goal is a Scout II that looks closer to late-1970s replacement-tire practice rather than a modernized metric presentation, this size deserves a closer look.

225/75R15 is a metric radial size used on the 1979 International Scout II. The 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is the most familiar format to modern drivers because it follows the standard metric radial sizing system still seen on many later vehicles.

For a 1979 International owner, that makes 225/75R15 easy to understand and easy to compare against modern tire conventions. It is available with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styling, so you are not locked into one appearance. Check the wheel width before ordering, since some versions are approved for 6.00 to 8.00-inch rims while others are intended for a slightly narrower range.

The main difference between H78-15 and HR78-15 on a 1979 International is construction. H78-15 is a bias-ply tire, while HR78-15 is a radial tire, and both remain in the older alphanumeric sizing family that looks appropriate on a late-1970s Scout II. Since both are 15-inch sizes, this choice usually comes down to driving character and visual preference rather than model-specific fitment.

A 1979 International owner pursuing a more traditional restoration feel will often prefer the bias-ply H78-15, especially if period-correct appearance matters. An owner who wants to stay closer to vintage alphanumeric sizing while moving to radial construction may prefer HR78-15. The right answer depends on whether the truck is being judged for originality, used mainly for casual cruising, or expected to spend more time on regular roads.

1979 International Scout II tires are available in wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and blackwall styles depending on size. The 225/75R15 radial appears in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, while H78-15 bias-ply options include wide whitewall and blackwall. That gives the Scout II a broader visual range than many vintage truck applications, where one sidewall treatment often dominates.

A blackwall usually looks most at home on a utility-oriented Scout II, especially one with an off-road or work-truck personality. Whitewalls can push the truck toward a more stylized period look, especially if the build emphasizes late-1970s custom flavor rather than pure utility. Choose the sidewall style that matches the truck’s intended character, then confirm that the style you prefer is offered in the exact size and construction you want.

1979 International Scout II tires are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, and STA. The 225/75R15 radial comes from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and American Classic, while H78-15 bias-ply choices come from Coker Classic and STA. That mix gives Scout II owners access to both traditional collector-tire brands and long-established American nameplates associated with vintage replacement tires.

Brand choice matters most after you have settled on the correct size and the kind of appearance you want. Some brands focus on whitewall presentation, while others bring in a more truck-oriented blackwall option. Compare the size first, then sidewall style, then details such as load rating and approved rim-width range so the tire matches the way your 1979 International is actually set up and driven.

Rim-width guidance for 1979 International Scout II tires varies by size. The 225/75R15 radial fits 6.00 to 8.00-inch rims in some versions and 6.00 to 7.50-inch rims in others, while H78-15 bias-ply tires fit 5.50 to 7.00-inch rims. Those ranges overlap, but they are not identical, so wheel width matters even when the wheel diameter stays at 15 inches.

A Scout II owner should measure the actual wheel rather than assuming every 15-inch wheel is suitable for every available tire. That is especially important if the vehicle has aftermarket wheels or if the original wheels have been swapped over the years. Matching the tire to the proper rim-width range helps maintain the intended profile and supports the tire the way the manufacturer designed it to work.

The 1979 International tire options here do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size designations, so the practical decision comes down to the wheel itself and the construction of the specific tire you choose. Radial and bias-ply collector tires are often run tubeless on proper tubeless wheels, but older wheels, certain restorations, or wheel-condition concerns can change that decision.

A 1979 International owner should inspect the wheel design, bead-seat condition, and valve-stem setup before deciding whether to run tubes. If the Scout II still uses original wheels, confirm they are suitable for the intended mounting method and free from rust, pitting, or damage around the bead area. When originality matters, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help you choose the cleanest and safest setup.

All three 1979 International Scout II tire sizes here use a 15-inch wheel diameter, so they stay within the same basic wheel-diameter family. That makes it possible for the original Scout II wheels to work with more than one of these sizes. The limiting factor is wheel width, because 225/75R15 and H78-15 do not share exactly the same approved rim-width range.

A 1979 International owner should treat original wheels as compatible by diameter, then verify width before choosing a specific tire. If the truck still has its factory wheels, measure them and compare that measurement to the range approved for the exact tire you want. That extra step prevents a common vintage-truck mistake: assuming that any 15-inch tire is automatically correct for any 15-inch Scout II wheel.

A 1979 International should be stored out of direct sunlight and away from ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and air compressors. Keep the tires clean and dry, maintain inflation, and move the Scout II periodically so one section of the tread is not carrying the vehicle’s weight for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage, while both bias-ply and radial tires can suffer sidewall aging if the environment is harsh.

For longer layups, some owners use tire cradles or support the vehicle to reduce constant loading, especially on a collector truck that is only driven occasionally. The goal is to preserve casing shape and prevent weathering rather than simply parking it and forgetting it. Good storage habits can noticeably improve how a 1979 International feels when it returns to the road after weeks or months indoors.

Tires on a 1979 International should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because many collector Scout II vehicles cover relatively few miles each year. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around the five- to seven-year range and to treat the ten-year point as a serious replacement consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall helps establish the tire’s actual age.

A 1979 International can sit for long periods, and that low-use pattern often hides age-related deterioration until the truck is driven at speed or under load. Cracking, hardening, irregular shape, or persistent pressure loss are more important warning signs than remaining tread alone. If the tires came with the truck and their age is uncertain, checking the date codes should be one of the first maintenance steps you take.

Tires on a 1979 International should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that a tire is losing pressure. On a vehicle that sees occasional use, this quick inspection matters because age-related issues can develop even when mileage stays low.

A longer outing in a Scout II adds heat, speed, and load, so it is worth checking the spare, valve stems, and inflation pressure as part of the same routine. Pay special attention if the truck has sat through a season change, because temperature swings can expose weak spots and pressure loss. Regular inspection is one of the simplest ways to make a vintage 1979 International more dependable on the road.

A 1979 International Scout II would have been associated with period tire sizing and styling that could include alphanumeric formats such as H78-15, and bias-ply construction was still a familiar choice in the replacement market even as radials were becoming increasingly common. That makes both the older-style alphanumeric presentation and radial alternatives relevant when restoring or preserving a late Scout II. Original-equipment branding, however, could vary by market, trim approach, and dealer delivery practices.

For a 1979 International owner chasing factory-level authenticity, the safest approach is to confirm the truck’s original tire notation through surviving manuals, window-sticker records, period photos, and marque-club expertise. If the build is meant for driving rather than strict judging, a radial alternative can still preserve the overall era while changing the construction. The key is deciding whether your Scout II is being restored to exact period character or to a sympathetic road-use standard.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1979 International is judged in restoration or concours settings. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size format, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the vehicle’s era and intended presentation. On a Scout II, an alphanumeric bias-ply tire can project a much different impression from a metric radial with a whitewall, even if both mount on a 15-inch wheel.

That does not mean there is only one acceptable answer for every event. Some shows reward factory-correct detail, while others are more tolerant of period-style replacements or tasteful driver upgrades. Before choosing tires for a judged 1979 International, review the standards for the event and compare them with the truck’s restoration goal. Marque clubs and Scout-focused communities are often the best source for what judges will actually expect to see.

The H78-15 options for the 1979 International differ mainly in appearance, brand character, and load rating rather than wheel diameter. Coker Classic offers wide whitewall bias-ply versions rated at 1,770 pounds at 32 psi, while the STA Traxion blackwall bias-ply version is rated at 1,830 pounds at 45 psi. All fit the same 15-inch wheel diameter and share the same 5.50 to 7.00-inch approved rim-width range.

For a Scout II restoration, the decision comes down to the truck’s personality and intended presentation. A wide whitewall pushes the vehicle toward a more stylized period look, while the blackwall Traxion leans into the Scout’s tougher utility image. If authenticity matters, compare your 1979 International against original photos and build literature so the tire’s visual statement matches the way the truck would have appeared in its own era.

1979 International Scout II tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and chosen with the truck’s use in mind. The radial options here are generally the most familiar choice for regular road driving, while the bias-ply H78-15 remains a viable vintage-style option for drivers who understand its older construction character. Highway safety also depends heavily on the Scout II’s brakes, steering, suspension condition, and alignment, not just the tire itself.

A vintage 4x4 does not become a modern SUV simply because it has fresh tires, so a 1979 International owner should drive within the limits of the whole vehicle. Keep speeds reasonable, inspect the tires before use, and avoid treating old-chassis handling like that of a newer truck. If the Scout II will spend most of its life on paved roads, many owners gravitate toward radial construction for a more familiar on-road experience.

Inflation pressure on a 1979 International depends on the exact tire size and product. Among these options, 225/75R15 products carry load figures such as 1,874 pounds at 35 psi and 2,094 pounds at 32 psi, while H78-15 products carry figures such as 1,770 pounds at 32 psi and 1,830 pounds at 45 psi. Those numbers show the tire’s rated load at a stated pressure, but they are not interchangeable recommendations across every Scout II setup.

Use the factory guidance for your 1979 International as the starting point, then confirm that it aligns with the tire manufacturer’s specifications for the exact product you are using. Vehicle weight distribution, load carried, and intended use all matter. The best practice is to avoid copying pressure from a different size or construction type, especially when moving between metric radial and alphanumeric bias-ply tires.

Before a longer drive in a 1979 International, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is usable, and confirm that the tires are seated properly on the wheels. On a Scout II that may sit between outings, even a tire that looked fine a month ago deserves a fresh inspection before covering real distance.

That tire check should be part of a broader vintage-truck readiness routine that includes wheel-lug torque, steering response, brake feel, fluid levels, and lighting. A 1979 International is old enough that small issues can become trip-ending problems once heat and distance enter the picture. Catching tire concerns early is especially important because they affect handling, braking confidence, and how comfortably the truck tracks on the highway.