Rear end for Hudson Street Rod

Unknown

I will be getting back to my 1949 2 door stepdown project later this year. I will most likely be going with a Fatman front clip and Mustang II type suspension setup, I have a Chevy 400 small block and 700R4 tranny to go in, my next planning phase for the running gear is the rear end. Is it feasible to think the Hudson unit will function without too many issues with a semi-modern power plant driving it?

[Deleted User]

Hi Hudson Dave here . I don't think so . They have axel keys like a old ford rearend one stomp from that 400 and it's all over but the shoting. One thing you might think about a freind or mine just bought a MK8 Lincoln and that is the coolest rear I have seen. Independent rear all aluminum with disc brakes and air suspension. If the width is right it would be KILLER . Just a thought . And the bolt patern would match the front (Ford) Hudson Dave [url]www.FatWhiteWalls.com:p[/url]

[Deleted User]

Dave, The '49 models used the Hudson rear end, and I doubt it would hold up unless you were very careful. If you want to go to a '53/'54 rear end, it is much stronger and since it is essentially a DANA 44, there are plenty of gear ratios available and posi units as well. There has been much discussion on this topic here in the forums.
Bob

[Deleted User]

the dana has all sorts of goodies available- there is a post around this very forum where a member has fitted discs and flanged axles- both available in kit form and once the mods are done it bolts straight in, no messing around

Unknown

Thank You all. Did not know about the keyed axles - that would have been an ooops! Love to go with the independent type setup mentioned by Dave in the Lincoln or maybe one from a Sport Coupe or Turbo Coupe T-Bird.



Thanx to all. I will go back to lurking in the weeds unless I have knowledge of my own to offer (doubtful-been building streetrods and a few restorations for 30 years for me and others, and obviously haven't learned a thing cause I'm still messin in the game)

[Deleted User]

half baked wrote:

the dana has all sorts of goodies available- there is a post around this very forum where a member has fitted discs and flanged axles- both available in kit form and once the mods are done it bolts straight in, no messing around

It's not a "bolt-in" if it has to be modded...right?

[Deleted User]

Hey David are you any where near FL ? My freind will have one for sale soon . :rolleyes: Hudson Dave

Unknown

I'm in NE North Carolina however the Hudson is in Orlando.

[Deleted User]

hey, "once the mods are done" is the disclaimer here!! haha. its only a matter of welding on caliper brackets and modifyng the bearing carriers

[Deleted User]

Dont know if the width would work out, but the rear end out of a 1996-2001 ford explorer is the 8.8 axle and has disc brakes. got mine for my studebaker truck project at the junk yard for $150, 3.73 gears with a locker. the with is 59.5" wheel mount to wheel mount. If you want independent rear, I believe they went to independent rears in 2002, but I have no idea what that would cost from a yard.

kyle