Re: Kanter rear gas shocks for '54 Patrician...

Posted by Packard Don On 2016/1/16 17:08:05

Although an old post that I'm sure must have been resolved by now (no followup was posted), I've always used 8.20 X 15 tires (Allstate Guardsman) on my 1954 Patrician and have never had trouble installing or removing them. I don't recall which shocks are installed but they were from a local auto parts store. Even my 1953 Patrician with L78 X 15 tires had no real trouble getting them on or off although they did drag a bit during the process so they were not a loose fit. It might make a difference if lifting the entire rear end vs lifting only one side but I don't recall any problem either way.

As far as tire size is concerned, I seem to recall reading years ago that the standard size for the 1954 Patrician was 8.00 X 15 as stated above but that 8.20 X 15 was optional. I am not sure now after all these decades where I read that but perhaps in was in the specification section of the Service Counsellor.

On tire pressure, I've always put in 30lbs front and 32lbs rear, or even both 32lbs. I don't know where 20lbs or 22lbs came from that someone mentioned (and I didn't double check the specifications) but I know that with so little pressure they would look quite flat and would ride very mushy. Perhaps the original tires were stiffer to work with lower pressure.