Rebuilding a Stepdown Chassis and Suspension with New Parts

51hornet

Folks,

I am going to use this section to try and cover all of the steps in rebuilding the chassis and Suspension of a Hudson Stepdown. I want to cover replacing the rear-end driveshaft, breaks and front end such as the A-frames the steering box and the brakes themselves.

I have been contacting some of the suspension manufacturers to try and get a handle on what replacement parts to use. My thinking is as follows

1. Should be able to rebuild the front-end without welding in new parts
2. Should be able to replace A-Frames, King pins and spindles with new replacements that bolt in.
3. Replace front brakes with Disc and add power brakes and booster.
4. Replace steering with rack-an-pinion setup for Hudson geometry so no bump steer.
5. Replace rear-end for newer parts and maybe disc brakes
6. Route in a dual exhaust from Clifford dual outlet header.

May take me a while but I want to see if I can come up with a well documented method of updating the Hudson Chassis and Suspension without having to weld in a mustang stub.

If anyone has ideas or comments please respond to this post.

Jimalberta · Guest

just wondering why you want to upgrade the steering when the stock steering was superior in its day enough to dominate at any stock car track. My thinking is that unless you are planning to race the car why go to all that work?

51hornet

Thats why I am looking for a bolt on replacement. So if I wanted to add power steering I would have the option of rack-an-pinion. Which would do a couple of things one it would change the amount of turns of the wheel required to steer lock to lock. Though the steering of the Hudson was superior to any of its counterparts it is based on center pins and they wear. So if I wanted to make my Hudson a daily driver with power steering I would love the option of upgrading to a nice aftermarket rack-an-pinion that coupled to the really nice existing steering geometry would make for a superior setup. And be very easy to keep aligned at todays shops.

Of course if I could not find the parts to work with the existing front end I would not go to the trouble of welding in a new stub to get it. I know of one Hudson owner who has added rack-an-pinion and a modern power steering pump and he says the cars steers so nicely with good road feel he would never go back to stock steering. So if I wanted to upgrade to power steering which I would like, I would really like to go rack-an-pinion.

51hornet

So far my hunt has been going well. I am putting together a list of brake replacement parts that will allow you to replace the front brakes on your step down with discs. I have a inquiry into a replacement kit for the steering so you can add rack-an-pinion. Just waiting for the verdict. Plus I believe we may be able to get spindle and A-frame kits to replace the Hudson stuff with state of the art replacements made from lighter and stronger material.

I will keep you informed as I go.

Jimalberta

Just was reading this thread over and wondered how far you got in your searches regarding the steering parts. Did you also find out what it takes to adapt the brakes to disc? regards...Jim

51hornet

From my travels and further analysis of the Hudson suspension and front end I have concluded a few things. One the front end of a well maintained Hudson is a thing of wonder and for an old car cannot be improved on much.

I was looking at finding a rack and pinion steering system that would bolt to the existing Hudson front-end. Found such a beast that is built by a HET member for $45 he will give you the plans you have to source the parts yourself. Only problem is such an adaption while making the steering tighter it reduces the turn-to-turn from 3 turns to 2 turns. It also introduces a slight bump steer on rough roads. This is because the tie-rod geometry is changed to accomodate the rack. I am sure with experimentation this could be removed. If you want to look at this I can supply the name and email.

For a nice solid well researched and executed disc brake conversion I would go with HET members Bill Labud he makes a complete kit and includes instructions for around $500 which is a bargain. Here is his contact info and a picture of what you get in the kit. When I do my conversion I will be using one of his kits.

Quite a few members have used this kit with great success. You can't beat a Hudnut who has done his research and knows these cars.

Contact Bill Labud, 38049 Rolling Acres Rd., Lady Lake, FL 32159 Ph: 352-753-7229. Uses stock Hudson Master Cylinder, Easily reversible back to drum brakes.

Jimalberta

Thanks for replying. I recently bought a 49 coupe and am in the process of doing a resto rod type of build with it. I am going to put a 400 small block chevy v8 with a turbo 400 tranny in it. I am leaning towards staying with the original steering but would like to find a power steering box from a 54 that would bolt in. I want to put in the disc brake conversion but I also want to move the master cylinder to the firewall and was told that a hanging brake assembly from a 70's GM truck will work. I want the car to look relatively stock except 2"lower with lake pipes and flame throwers out the back. I am not sure yet about the rear end ..probably a Granada rear. I can use lowering blocks on the rear and probably heat or cut the springs in the front to lower the front of the car. It will have 12 volts of course but I want to use the original type guages if possible. I was thinking of trying to find a couple of original size guages but that have dual guages in them. I like the dash on a 49 so it will stay as original as possible except it will be painted instead of wood grained. Those are my thoughts for now however I do appreciate any input into this project especially from those who have been there and done it. regards..Jim

51hornet

Jim,

for the power steering the unit out of the 54 will fit in nicely. I have a Hudson factory guide to installing that assembly. I can scan it and send it to you if you want. You should be able to use the ram and hydraulics from the 54 and use one of the nicer more modern pumps.

I have links in our links section to a couple of companies that sell brake booster and pedal assemblies that woudl fit for you.

For the front end I would not heat or cut the springs as this never ends up being a good solution. The best bet is to get a set of springs made to get you that lower stance. The cut and heated springs never give you the proper return rate and why go through all the customizing trouble and have a bad ride. Look in the links section I have links to spring guys who make sets for this type of application and you will get the proper spring return rate at the lower stance.

The Dana 44 out of your 54 would be more than adequate for your small blcok application. You can change the gear set to get better ratios and I even have a link in reproduction parts to a dealer that sells new axle shaft's for them. Lot easier to work and fit that rear end.

I know of a few guage guys who will make you really nice multi guages to fit inside the original bezels. Again look in the links section I think I have some of them in there.

Good luck with the project it sounds like a lot of fun. This year you should try and make it up to our Hudson meet. We will be holding it at the end of July.

Also I would appreciate any pics you have of your car upload them to the gallery. Nice to see what people are working on.

Jimalberta

hey thanks for all the info. it will be a great help in my build. Now I just need to find a power steering box. thanks again. I am going to see about putting some pictures of my car up ....Jim

51hornet

Sounds good. Glad I could share some info. Nice to have people close to me rebuilding Hudsons.

If you have any trouble uploading pictures drop me a pm and I will help with that.

51hornet

Jim,

I added a doc to downloads that shows you the components you need for setting up Hudson power steering on your car.

51hornet

Hey Jim,

where did you buy the 8 Volt battery you put in your car?

Thanks

Jimalberta

I bought the battery at battery direct cheers...Jim

BJ--TN · Jet Joined: Aug 14, 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Newport Tenn.

I talked to Bll Labud a couple of days ago and, He has not made any disc brake kits in a while. He "MAY" and this is not definite, decide to make more later in the year.
I'm not sure but I think Richard Pridemore has started making his conversion again.
Brake Tech Solutions in Charlotte NC can make the conversion kit for the front but they run right at 1k , which I think is too high.

51hornet

I got the Pridemore kit but I am not following his suggestion for installation I am working on using his kit with Wilwood components. The beauty of the Pridemore kit is it gives you these beautifully machined hubs and mounting brackets. Then you get a list of parts you need to buy. I am working on cross referencing these to Wilwood components so my calipers will be 4 piston balanced and the rotors will be drilled and light weight plus they have a two stage remote fill master cylinder I have sent away all the specs to Wilwood to see what we can come up with I think with the Pridemore hubs and Wilwood components I should be able to come up with a nice front disc solution that does not require a lot of hacking and grinding.

Oh, and welcome to our site. Where its all Hudson all day long......