What rear end ratios were available for Stepdowns?

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have a '54 Hornet with the 3.08 ratio. I'm thinking something like a 3.4 or a bit lower would be nicer around town. Anybody know what ratios were/are available for the rear end? Is it a Hudson proprietary rear end or a Dana or???



Thanks for your suggestions!

Comments

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    from '52 on used Spicer rear ends.

    a wide range of options were offered, take a look in the Z section of the Parts List where all the optional stuff (in other words Police options ergo 7X) inc. rear axle ratios will be listed.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    oldhudsons wrote:
    from '52 on used Spicer rear ends.

    a wide range of options were offered, take a look in the Z section of the Parts List where all the optional stuff (in other words Police options ergo 7X) inc. rear axle ratios will be listed.



    Thanks! Where can I find the "Z section of the parts list?"
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    I have the following info in my General Information Handbook:



    4:10 to 1 (Option FF) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D - supplied unless another ratio is specified on models without Hydra-Matic or Overdrive. This ratio is optional with overdrive:



    4.27 to 1 (Option LL) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with Overdrive. Optional on models with manual transmission;



    3.54 to 1 (Option TT) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with hydramatic. Optional on models with Overdrive;



    3.31 to 1 (Option JJ) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with manual, hydramatic or overdrive;



    Model 4D, 5D, 6D - 4.09 to 1 (Option FF) - all 4D, 5D, 7D models without automatic drive or overdrive. Optional with overdrive;



    4:55 to 1 (Option LL) - all 4D, 5D, 7D with overdrive. Optional on all models with manual transmission'



    3.07 to 1 (Option TT) - 4D, 5D, 7D with Automatic Drive. No other ratio available for these models with Automatic Drive.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN

    www.freewebs.com/hudsontech
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    hudsontech wrote:
    I have the following info in my General Information Handbook:



    4:10 to 1 (Option FF) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D - supplied unless another ratio is specified on models without Hydra-Matic or Overdrive. This ratio is optional with overdrive:



    4.27 to 1 (Option LL) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with Overdrive. Optional on models with manual transmission;



    3.54 to 1 (Option TT) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with hydramatic. Optional on models with Overdrive;



    3.31 to 1 (Option JJ) - Models 1D, 2D, 3D with manual, hydramatic or overdrive;



    Model 4D, 5D, 6D - 4.09 to 1 (Option FF) - all 4D, 5D, 7D models without automatic drive or overdrive. Optional with overdrive;



    4:55 to 1 (Option LL) - all 4D, 5D, 7D with overdrive. Optional on all models with manual transmission'



    3.07 to 1 (Option TT) - 4D, 5D, 7D with Automatic Drive. No other ratio available for these models with Automatic Drive.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN

    www.freewebs.com/hudsontech



    Thanks, Alex!



    Would the 3.54 or 4.09 ring and pinion gears work on my 7D 3.07 ratio differential? Can you suggest where I might locate a new/used set of 3.54 or 4.09 gears?



    Any suggestions are much appreciated!
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    The rear end you have is now called a Dana 44 and it is still in production.



    Try this company or do a search on "Dana 44 axle".



    http://www.reiderracing.com/
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    I would think you could bolt a set of 3.54 or 4.09 gears in. I think the axles are the same.

    If I'm wrong, tho, somebody will correct me. Hopefully. I don't know who carries gears - but somebody will come along and tell us.

    So come back again soon. LOL



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Clay, as Mars55 said, the '52 and later axles are nowadays more commonly known as the "Dana 44". Parts are readily available since they've been used in a lot of modern day cars, both Chevy and Ford models, for instance. And do look at reiderracing.com for a list of ratios available. And they can give you advice on what all you'd need to make a change. I got the 3.73 gears in my axle from them ... they're reasonable, and the gears are genuine Dana, not cheap aftermarket stuff. I think there's a 3.31 and something around 3.5 available. Easier and much cheaper, why not just drop a complete 3.58 axle assembly in from a '51 Hudson with hydramatic? (Yeah, I know, they've got those precious tapered axle bearings, but that's really not a big problem). But back to your current setup ... the reason they introduced Dual-Range Hydramatic along with the 3.07 gearing was to allow you to keep it in D3 around town so you could get decent acceleration at city speeds, then use D4 when you're going to be running from, say, 40 mph on up. Have you tried just running it in D3 when you're at the slower speeds?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    1D, 2D, and 3Ds were Jets, and used a Dana 23 or 27 rear end, way too light duty for Hornets, 44s were used on Studes V8 models, Ford wagons and pickups, 49 thru 56, Mercs49 to 51, Lincolns 49 to 58 I think, 56 to 58 Packards and Clippers and probably some others.
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    Clay - think you've got all the info you asked for, but to answer your prior question, the front section of a Hudson parts book is the chassis section, starting with section "A", & in the '48 - '54 book, thru "Z". Following that is the body section beginning with "AA".
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thanks, guys! You've been a lot of help! I'm pointed in the right direction now.



    Clay
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    All the Dana 44 stuff is on the money.



    One thing to caution here, the newer pinions require a new pinion yoke. The original Hudson will not work, wrong spline count/size.



    Another situation, the carrier will accept a modern ring gear. You have to check the thickness of your carrier flange. Numericly lower ratios have thinner flanges. Usually a 3.75+ has a thick flange and a 3.54- has a thinner flange. Be aware of flange thickness when ordering a new ratio ring gear and pinion.



    Using the Hudson spiders and carrier is neccessary if you intend to use the original axles. Hudson axles are 19 spline, most modern Dana 44 axles are 30 spline. The one exception is the Powr Loc differential, as was used in some Jeeps and Studebakers, its also 19 spline and still available new. If ordering a Powr Loc ( same as Stude's TT carrier), be sure to specify a 19 spline axle. Reider has the Powr Loc differential in 19 spline configuration new, but its not listed - you'll have to ask for it.



    Other than that, if you upgrade to a solid axle with a flange from Fairborn Studebaker (they make Hudson solid axle kits) you can have your axles made with 30 spline ends and use whatever modern carrier/differential you want to in your Hudson Dana 44.



    Mark
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Mark, that was really helpful! You guys are all great! Hope I can help you all out some time in return!
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    Steve E. wrote:
    1D, 2D, and 3Ds were Jets, and used a Dana 23 or 27 rear end, way too light duty for Hornets, 44s were used on Studes V8 models, Ford wagons and pickups, 49 thru 56, Mercs49 to 51, Lincolns 49 to 58 I think, 56 to 58 Packards and Clippers and probably some others.

    I have a 51 and a 55 Ford PU. The rears look quite similar to the rear in my 54 Hornet except for the Hornet has a drain plug and the tapered axles for the brake drum. Are parts interchangeable between these two rears? Reason I am asking is that both trucks run a 3.92 ratio which I think would be perfect in my car with the OD. The 4.56's I have now are just ridiculous.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    464Saloon wrote:
    I have a 51 and a 55 Ford PU. The rears look quite similar to the rear in my 54 Hornet except for the Hornet has a drain plug and the tapered axles for the brake drum. Are parts interchangeable between these two rears? Reason I am asking is that both trucks run a 3.92 ratio which I think would be perfect in my car with the OD. The 4.56's I have now are just ridiculous.





    Well, it depends on the kind of driving you intend to do. My Super Wasp has the 4.56 rear w/OD. Driving in town is kinda cool. I can just leave it in 2nd all the time. It will take off in 2nd and shift in/out of 2nd OD, which is very close to 3rd direct and keeps me within city limits speeds up to about 40mph. Yet, I can still hit 70+ on the open road without taxing the enging too much. With the OD in 3rd, your final ratio is 3.19 anyway.



    If you're going to be out on the big road all the time, I'd see changing the ratio with an OD. In traffic, the 4.56 w/OD is okay.



    Is your OD working?



    Mark
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    Oh yeah, it is working. If it wasn't I wouldn't even drive the car. About 40 is all I do then I reach for OD. Having a gear that will COMFORTABLY cruise me around into the 50+ range without having to go to OD would be nice.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Its shifting as its supposed to? Or, do you have to toggle it on and off with a manual switch.



    It makes a difference. When one is wired up like its supposed to be, with a relay, governor, and kickdown switch - they are really nice.



    Oh well, I also run a straight 3 speed with a 3.07 rear ratio in the '49. There's some speed for ya.



    Mark
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    It has the toggle. Bought it that way. I don't know where the relay was as I see no evidence of one anywhere. I would need that,the kickdown switch and wiring to get it going. I have that setup on my 55 F-100 so I am quite familiar with it. With all the other issues with this car,that stuff is the least of my worries. I did succesfully make a 202 mile trip yesterday to a Hudson Club event with no problems. A little over 700 miles now on my new motor. Racking up some miles now that I no longer have a company car.
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