Tire type

[Hoehne]

I have a 1949 Willys pickup. I am looking for tires. What tires did this pickup have on it from the factory? 7.00x16 tires are on it now.

[LarrBeard]

Either 6.50 or 7.00 x 16 could have been standard. With 7.00 x 16 tires, the truck was rated at 5,300 pounds gross vehicle weight. That was a 2,000 pound payload. That's why there is that gawd-awful 11-leaf spring pack on the rear axle.

[Hoehne]

Thank you. What kind of tread did these tires have?

[gmwillys]

The original factory tires were non directional tread;
https://www.kaiserwillys.com/category/tires-rims/tires/firestone-non-directional-tire-7-00-x-16-square-shoulder-fits-41-71-jeep-willys

[LarrBeard]

" ... non directional tread;... "

The non-directional treads were used on all of the military vehicles, but the non-military vehicles tended to use civilian tread designs. I suspect that the dealer made a tire selection when he ordered the vehicle from the factory (maybe), or when he delivered the vehicle depending on what weight capacity the buyer wanted.

The Parts List for the '48 2WD and 4WD Trucks lists everything from cigar lighters to sun visors, but not a single mention of tire types - except for Heavy Duty non-skid chains for 6.70 x 15 tires for 2WD vehicles.