1980 International Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1980 International Trucks coverage here centers on the Scout II, and it uses three tire sizes: 225/75R15, H78-15, and HR78-15. All three mount on 15-inch wheels. The radial 225/75R15 fits rims from 6.00 to 8.00 inches wide depending on the tire, with some products calling for 6 to 7.5 inches. The bias-ply H78-15 fits 5.50 to 7.00 inch rims.

That means the first check is simple but important: confirm that your Scout II is on a 15-inch wheel, then verify the wheel width against the exact tire you want. Since this year and make do not split sizes across several different model families, the decision usually comes down to construction, sidewall appearance, and whether you want a modern metric code or a vintage alphanumeric size designation.

H78-15 is an alphanumeric bias-ply size used on the 1980 International Trucks Scout II. The H identifies the tire’s general width class, the 78 is part of the period size designation rather than a modern metric measurement, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because there is no R in the code, H78-15 is a bias-ply tire rather than a radial.

Buyers usually look at H78-15 when they want a more traditional period appearance and the distinct feel of a bias-ply tire. It is also the size to study closely if sidewall style matters, since this format is available in both wide whitewall and blackwall versions for the Scout II. Wheel width matters here too, so match it to a 5.50 to 7.00 inch rim before moving forward.

HR78-15 is an alphanumeric radial size for the 1980 International Trucks Scout II. The H places it in a traditional width class, the R is the key character because it identifies radial construction, and the 15 means it fits a 15-inch wheel. It keeps the vintage-style size code that many older truck owners recognize, but it does so in a radial format rather than a bias-ply one.

That makes HR78-15 appealing to owners who want a sidewall code that looks more at home on a classic truck while still staying in the radial family. It sits between the two main camps of tire buying for a Scout II: not as overtly modern in appearance as a metric size, but not a bias-ply either. Confirm the exact tire’s wheel-width recommendation before making it your final choice.

The H78-15 and the radial choices serve different goals on a 1980 International Trucks Scout II. H78-15 is a bias-ply size, so it is the more traditional choice when period character and older-style tire construction matter most. The 225/75R15 and HR78-15 are radial sizes, which are generally the better fit for owners who expect more routine road driving and want a construction type more familiar to modern drivers.

The practical choice comes down to how your Scout II will be used and presented. A show-focused or restoration-minded truck often leans toward the bias-ply H78-15, especially if the sidewall look is part of the theme. A driver that spends more time on paved roads often points toward one of the radial sizes. Since all three use 15-inch wheels, compare wheel width and preferred sidewall style before narrowing it further.

1980 International Trucks Scout II tires are available with several sidewall looks, depending on size. The 225/75R15 radial comes in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall forms, while the H78-15 bias-ply appears in wide whitewall and blackwall versions. That range matters because sidewall style can change the truck’s visual character as much as the size code itself.

A whitewall can give a Scout II a more personalized period look, especially for an owner building around late-1970s to early-1980s style cues rather than a stripped utility appearance. A blackwall H78-15, especially in a truck-oriented pattern, pushes the look in a more workmanlike and off-road direction. If appearance is a major part of the project, decide on sidewall style early instead of treating it as a minor detail after the size is chosen.

Four brands cover the 1980 International Trucks Scout II tire sizes here: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, and STA. The 225/75R15 radial is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and American Classic. The H78-15 bias-ply comes from Coker Classic and STA. Each brand approaches the Scout II from a slightly different angle, whether that is classic whitewall presentation or a more utilitarian blackwall truck look.

Brand choice should follow your size and style choice rather than replace it. If you know you want a radial 225/75R15, your brand options are broader and include both wide and narrow whitewalls. If your project centers on H78-15, the decision shifts more toward whether you want a traditional whitewall bias-ply or a truck-style blackwall pattern. Once you settle that, compare wheel-width range, load rating, and overall appearance.

Rim-width needs vary by tire size on the 1980 International Trucks Scout II. The 225/75R15 radial fits 6.00 to 8.00 inch rims on some versions, while others specify 6 to 7.5 inches. The H78-15 bias-ply fits 5.50 to 7.00 inch rims. All of these sizes use a 15-inch wheel diameter, but width still matters to the way the tire seats and carries its load.

That makes wheel-width verification one of the most important checks before choosing between the Scout II’s available sizes. A 15-inch wheel alone does not guarantee every tire is the right match. If your truck still wears original wheels, measure the wheel or confirm its width before committing to a tire. If it has aftermarket wheels, treat that check as mandatory because appearance and fit can change considerably with width.

The three 1980 International Trucks Scout II tire sizes all fit 15-inch wheels, so they are in the same basic wheel-diameter family. That means the original wheel diameter is compatible in principle with 225/75R15, H78-15, and HR78-15. The remaining issue is wheel width, because each tire size and product can call for a different acceptable range even when the diameter matches.

For a Scout II owner, that is good news because changing tire construction does not automatically mean changing wheel diameter. It does not remove the need to confirm width, though, especially when moving between a bias-ply H78-15 and a radial 225/75R15. If your truck still has its factory wheels, verify the width once and compare it against the exact tire’s recommendation before deciding which path makes the most sense.

A 1980 International Trucks Scout II should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the truck periodically if possible. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage, while any vintage-style tire can suffer from age-related sidewall cracking if left exposed to heat and ozone.

If the Scout II will sit for an extended period, many owners either roll it slightly every few weeks or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Avoid parking on damp soil or bare ground for long stretches. Good storage habits matter just as much as tread depth on collector vehicles, because age and environment usually shorten tire life long before mileage does.

Tires on a 1980 International Trucks Scout II usually age out before they wear out, especially on hobby-driven trucks. A sound rule is to begin evaluating them closely around five to seven years of service and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The tire’s actual age can be checked through the DOT date code on the sidewall.

That age-based approach matters because a vintage SUV may only cover limited annual mileage, making the tires look better than they truly are. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, and loss of flexibility can all develop even when tread still appears healthy. If the Scout II has been stored indoors and driven sparingly, inspection may support continued use for a time, but age should still guide the conversation more than mileage alone.

Tires on a 1980 International Trucks Scout II should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and pay attention to how long the truck has been sitting. If you are using a bias-ply tire, also watch for flat-spotting after storage and confirm that the tire rounds out normally once driven.

A brief inspection routine helps catch age-related problems before they become roadside problems. Include the spare in the check, because a vintage spare often ends up older than the four tires on the ground. If your Scout II runs tires that use tubes or older-style valve hardware, give the valve stems extra attention as well. On collector vehicles, a few minutes of checking before departure is one of the best maintenance habits you can develop.

A 1980 International Trucks Scout II sat in an era when radial adoption was well underway, but period-size alphanumeric tires still remained part of the replacement landscape for American trucks and SUVs. The Scout II is covered here by H78-15 bias-ply, HR78-15 radial, and 225/75R15 radial sizes, all on 15-inch wheels. That mix reflects the transition period well, with both older and newer sizing conventions appearing in the same general fitment conversation.

If originality is a major concern, treat size code, construction type, and sidewall style as a package rather than focusing on only one of them. A marque specialist, factory literature, or a Scout club can help confirm what was most appropriate for your truck’s market, trim, and restoration goal. That extra step matters because a vehicle can wear the right wheel diameter yet still miss the visual or judging target if the construction or sidewall treatment is off.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1980 International Trucks Scout II is judged for authenticity. Show standards often pay attention to size designation, construction type, and sidewall appearance, not just whether the tire physically fits the wheel. A radial with a modern metric sidewall code, for example, creates a different visual impression than an alphanumeric tire, and a blackwall truck pattern sends a different message than a wide whitewall.

That does not mean every restored Scout II needs the same tire. It means the tire should support the story you are telling with the truck, whether that is factory-style preservation, a period custom look, or a practical driver with vintage flavor. Before a judged event, review the event’s rules and compare them with advice from Scout and International enthusiasts, since club standards can be stricter and more specific than a general collector-car gathering.

The H78-15 choices for the 1980 International Trucks Scout II separate clearly by style and capacity. Coker Classic offers wide whitewall bias-ply versions with a 1,770-pound load rating at 32 psi and a 5.50 to 7.00 inch rim-width range. STA’s Traxion H78-15 is a blackwall bias-ply truck tire with a 1,830-pound load rating at 45 psi on the same 5.50 to 7.00 inch rim-width range, and it is notably heavier at 35 pounds versus 28 pounds.

That makes the choice less about simple fit and more about the personality of the finished truck. A Coker Classic H78-15 supports a traditional whitewall presentation, while the STA Traxion leans much more toward a functional truck or utility aesthetic. If your Scout II restoration is style-driven, the sidewall will probably decide it. If it is use-driven, compare the tread character and pressure/load relationship before settling on one.

1980 International Trucks Scout II tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and matched to the way the truck is driven. The key difference is construction: radial tires such as 225/75R15 and HR78-15 generally align more naturally with steady road use, while H78-15 bias-ply tires bring a more traditional driving character. Tire condition, age, and correct fit matter more than the size code alone.

A Scout II’s age also means the tire is only one part of the highway-safety picture. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and alignment all deserve as much attention as tread depth. If your truck is mostly a weekend cruiser or attends local shows, a bias-ply may make perfect sense. If it will spend more time at sustained road speeds, many owners prefer staying with a radial format while still keeping the truck’s vintage look in mind.

Inflation pressure for 1980 International Trucks Scout II tires depends on the exact tire size and product. In the available range, 225/75R15 products carry load ratings such as 1,874 pounds at 35 psi and 2,094 pounds at 32 psi. H78-15 products range from 1,770 pounds at 32 psi to 1,830 pounds at 45 psi. Those figures are tire-specific rated pressure points, not a universal setting for every Scout II.

Use the truck’s original owner information as your starting point for vehicle application, then compare it with the reproduction or replacement tire maker’s guidance for the exact tire you are using. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to another, and do not assume a bias-ply and a radial should run the same pressure just because both fit a 15-inch wheel. Pressure should reflect the exact tire, the vehicle, and how it is being used.

Before taking a 1980 International Trucks Scout II on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, proper inflation, and secure valve stems. Check the spare as well, since an old spare can turn a manageable roadside issue into a bigger problem. If the truck has been sitting, pay attention to any flat-spotting or age-related stiffness before settling into sustained speeds.

A longer-trip check should also include the rest of the vehicle’s basic mechanical systems, because a vintage SUV asks more of its owner than a modern daily driver does. Look at fluids, belts, brakes, lights, and steering response in addition to the tires. The goal is not to overcomplicate a simple outing, but to respect the fact that an older truck rewards preparation. Good pre-drive habits make the trip safer and more enjoyable.