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Need some advice! 1951 Hudson Commodore 8 Hollywood! Front suspension upgrade

Discussion in 'Off Topic Hot Rods & Customs' started by tomy2tone01, Oct 25, 2025 at 11:32 PM.

  1. tomy2tone01
    Joined: Jun 1, 2010
    Posts: 39

    tomy2tone01
    Member

    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?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. 58-64 Impala? Plenty of aftermarket support for that design.
     
  3. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,764

    ClayMart
    Member

    What is it about the stock suspension that doesn't meet your requirements?
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  4. tomy2tone01
    Joined: Jun 1, 2010
    Posts: 39

    tomy2tone01
    Member

    Try finding parts for that. I want disc brakes and up graded steering too. The steering on those cars have wandering issues. They suck
     
  5. tomy2tone01
    Joined: Jun 1, 2010
    Posts: 39

    tomy2tone01
    Member

    Wonder what the dimensions are?
     
  6. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,195

    BJR
    Member

    Look into a Jaguar front end, the whole thing un bolts from the Jag.
     
  7. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,077

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Moved to the off topic forum
     
  8. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 5,029

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  9. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,652

    gene-koning
    Member

    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.
     

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