Upgrading the suspension on 1951 Hudson Commodore 8 Hollywood. 1 of 669 made. I am installing a 396 4LE 60 with a 10 bolt 3.73 Posi. Here is my issue. I have been looking for a longtime for a solution for a replacement for my suspension. I want Chevy bolt pattern A arm set up. The issue. Can’t find anything that will be fairly easy to install. I have pictures of my front and dimensions. Anyone has any ideas?
Try finding parts for that. I want disc brakes and up graded steering too. The steering on those cars have wandering issues. They*****
https://www.impalas.net/threads/frame-dimensions.4682/ Frame rails slightly over 34". Disc brake kits and dropped spindles are made by CPP.
If it were mine, I would look to Scott's Hot Rods or Southern Rods for a front stub. Why make it hard? But that's just me.
That 51 Hudson has the late 30s through the mid 50s Mopar front suspension on it. They wonder because of the bias ply tires. Rebuild parts are available and are reasonably priced. They need to upper shock mount moved from the upper control arm to the frame and a larger diameter sway bar from a 1990s Jeep. There have been disc brake conversions for that suspension available for 20+ years with either GM bolt pattern rotors or Dodge bolt pattern rotors, but what ever. If you want another option that probably won't drive any better... Locate a front subframe from a 70s Nova or one of its GM counterparts (their frame rails are closer together then a Camero or Firebird clip), with the disc brakes. Cut off what you have there, and weld in the complete Nova subframe. It should splice in pretty close to the width of your existing frame rails. I have not done a Nova clip before, but it used to be one of the top go to options for many car owners that wanted the GM bolt pattern and your chosen motor will bolt right in. If you can't find a Nova subframe, I'm sure there is an aftermarket company that can supply you with a front suspension you can add to 2" x 4" tubing you replace your current front frame rails with.
I didn't notice steering issues in mine. The cork clutch was entertaining, the wipers didn't work well, and you really need to keep the overdrive locked out in the mountains, but it drove pretty well. Have you driven the car yet?
Joining those who suggested the XJ front suspension. Find any Series I-III XJ (NOT the later XJ40, X300 or X308, those have a different rear set-up) and you'll also have the rear suspension to make the best handling Hudson on earth.
As I remember my 53 superwasp had the steering box set way back on the frame for the center point steering, which makes it hard to swap engines without a front sump arrangement
Checked the site. not interested in spending $5k for a stub and then pay another 3K to have it installed.
Seems like if you are wanting to do this on a budget, would be best to just rebuild the stock stuff. I have never considered putting disk brakes on either of my 50’s cars and put lots of miles on both of them. Best I can tell, the brakes stop the cars at the limit of what the tires can hold on the pavement. But, I like old cars to drive like old cars so am probably not giving very good advice.
I've been around a few of those stepdown Hudsons over the years. They can drive pretty good with the original setup.
That maybe true. But…. Installing a 396 in there would not work. Clearance issues with steering. Plus I want better suspension for a smoother ride.
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