Recommended rear axel

triman62

I'm going to be running a 232 with 3 speed manual trans, I have several axels to chose from. 1. 1951 Hornet, 2. 1952 Hornet, 3. 1952 Pacemaker, 4. 1953 Wasp. Which one would be the best choice. I have heard about a Dana, what other type of rear end was used in the step down Hudson and how do I identify them?

Uncle Josh

IMHI I would get a 3.56 out of a Hudson automatic.  Would bolt right in.

The DANA would give you a lot of options as I believe the gear sets are still available new.

If you get an overdrive tranny, which is 27% over, use a 4.56 for all around driving unless you live and drive in flat land, then you could use a 4.11

If you have a Drivemaster, (automatic clutch and shift) you'll want the 4.56 since it's set up to start in 2nd gear

Ric West IN

Hudson built axle assembly has the Welded center cover.  used in 51 and earlier.  Some early 1952's also used this.  The 3.56 came with the 1951 Hydramatic.

The later 52s and 53-54 used the Dana/Spicer axle which had the bolt on cover.  This was available in several ratios.  

Lance

I believe both of you guys mean 3:58 not 3:56 on the Hudson built rear end..  Go with a Dana/ Spicer  3:07. from 1952-4  The 3:07 is identified by a tag on the  cover of  the rear end that is bolted on. It will read 43/14 on that tag. Hudson built rear ends are fine as far as it goes but replacing a rear axle bearing can be potentially costly. Dana 44's -no problem bearings on that run about $15. If you don't like the ratios ,Jeep still uses Dana 44's so you could get different ratio gears. Not so with Hudson built  rear ends.

triman62

Thank you for the info, just what I needed to know. I will be checking the rear ends out a little better now. I forgot to mention that the 51 was automatic and the rest manual transmission.

Kdancy

In my opinion the 3:07 gear is too tall for a 232 with standard trans. I would shoot for a lower gear. My choice would be the Dana rear in the 3:50-3:73 range. The Dana case split is 3:73 and lower numbers. The 3:92 and higher numbers takes a different size case. This is needed info if you are changing gear sets. In other words, you can not put a stock 4:11 gear set into a 3:50 case. http://www.differentials.com/technical-help/carrier-breaks And remember, these early Dana's have 19 spline axles so if you change spider gears they need to be 19 spline.

Per

My 1951 Hudson manual lists the axle ratio as 3 7/12.  The decimal approximation is 3.58333 ...

You're right, Lance

Per

triman62

Thanks again for the helpful info. I have 4 Hudson built rear ends, and one Dana in the 53 Wasp. How do I determine the ratio's in the Hudson built rear ends, are they all the same for Hornet and Pacemaker alike?

Uncle Josh

Jack up one rear wheel.  Mark and turn 2 revs.  Count driveshaft turns