Thread: 41 Hudson Truck front end advice

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Hi to all.
Am now working on my third '41 Hudson truck and this time I'm going with the following-
460 ford engine.
Another toploader from David Kee (what a great mod. he does on this box for these vehicles).
9'' ford rearend on 4 bar set up.
Now I'm looking for ideas on the front end. I'm fitting a modified firewall and new floor to get the drivetrain where I want it but need some options/opinions /ideas for the front end set up. I've measured up and the front crossmember and old centre link steering has got to go. I want to use a steering box rather than a rack for a more period look, even am considering big drum brakes again for looks which would have to be Ford/Hudson wheel stud pattern, but don't know what to do for suspension.Someone even suggested a beam axle with coilovers could look good and function well but
I still fancy some form of independant set up with a conventional steering box. How about a front clip from something?
Whats been done? anybody got any first hand experience with a similar project?.Although it's a big block set up it will be a mild build engine based around low end torque not rev the guts out horsepower, I'm not a gas,horn,brake driver whether that part is even relevant I doubt.
Anyway thanks in advance and any input greatly appreciated.
Jerry.(U.K.)

Check out this website: www.scottshotrods.com. My Son has one under his S10, and it really is a nice piece, plus Scott will custom make the crossmember to your specifications. It took a little while to get it, and there were a couple of minor parts that were not right, but they took care of that pretty quickly, and even upgraded him for the inconvenience.

I have never done a clip transplant, but know they can work well, if installed with the correct skill level and geometry. But that Hudson with a 460 will have more weight to it than a Mustang II was designd for. But with heavier springs and shocks, it is do-able, I guess.

It has just been my experience that if you bite the bullet up front, and spend the few extra bucks for something custom made, in the end it usually works better, and sometimes ends up cheaper in the long run.

Just my opinion.

I've got to reach back over 20 years to remember the front frame configuration from my '41, but as I recall the front rails have bulges for spring pockets. If I'm remembering correctly this will make it hard to do any of the typical aftermarket crossmember kits.

A couple thoughts come to mind and will keep you in the family of brands. There are two crossmember assemblies that are pretty close on width, and are mostly self contained, the AMC Pacer and the Mopar Aspen/Volare. The Pacer has a rack and pinion, but wouldn't be that hard to adapt a cross steer arrangement.

One alternative on the frame might be to section in some straight box section steel tubing to replace the spring mount area. You could also whack off the entire front clip and build all new, but then you'd also have to work up core support, and front sheet metal attachments. Less work if you just took out the pockets.

Here's an article that deals with installing the Pacer in an early '50's Chev truck that will at least give you a flavor of what's involved. http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs.htm His advantage of course is that his stock rails are already pretty much straight.

Some might go with the old standard of a Camaro/Nova clip, but with the 460 you could have sump issues unless you're really setting the engine far back.

Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
I've got to reach back over 20 years to remember the front frame configuration from my '41, but as I recall the front rails have bulges for spring pockets. If I'm remembering correctly this will make it hard to do any of the typical aftermarket crossmember kits.

A couple thoughts come to mind and will keep you in the family of brands. There are two crossmember assemblies that are pretty close on width, and are mostly self contained, the AMC Pacer and the Mopar Aspen/Volare. The Pacer has a rack and pinion, but wouldn't be that hard to adapt a cross steer arrangement.

One alternative on the frame might be to section in some straight box section steel tubing to replace the spring mount area. You could also whack off the entire front clip and build all new, but then you'd also have to work up core support, and front sheet metal attachments. Less work if you just took out the pockets.

Here's an article that deals with installing the Pacer in an early '50's Chev truck that will at least give you a flavor of what's involved. http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs.htm His advantage of course is that his stock rails are already pretty much straight.

Some might go with the old standard of a Camaro/Nova clip, but with the 460 you could have sump issues unless you're really setting the engine far back.

Hey Bob,
Thanks for your response. You're right there isn't a straight or parrallel section on the front end of these chassis. talking to a competant fab. shop the suggestion was to cut off just ahead of the firewall and start again with some h.d. parrallel rails, match up the mounting points and then decide on steering/suspension.
the big problem with the original front is the way the rails kinda split each side before the crossmember, the front engine mount position is at that point too thus limiting that front area for pulley, alterator clearance. The camaro front clip track is about 3''+wider than the Hudson and would need rebuild plus rotor re-drill etc. and your right the oil pan would be another issue. I liked the Pacer article, pity no pics as I have no idea what it looks like.(only ever seen a handfull of Pacers in the UK)
The old grey matter remembers your old Hudson pretty good, I will look at your other suggestion about removing the spring pockets and other work when I can this week and let you know.
Thanks again for your interest and input.
Jerry....

Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
I've got to reach back over 20 years to remember the front frame configuration from my '41, but as I recall the front rails have bulges for spring pockets. If I'm remembering correctly this will make it hard to do any of the typical aftermarket crossmember kits.

A couple thoughts come to mind and will keep you in the family of brands. There are two crossmember assemblies that are pretty close on width, and are mostly self contained, the AMC Pacer and the Mopar Aspen/Volare. The Pacer has a rack and pinion, but wouldn't be that hard to adapt a cross steer arrangement.

One alternative on the frame might be to section in some straight box section steel tubing to replace the spring mount area. You could also whack off the entire front clip and build all new, but then you'd also have to work up core support, and front sheet metal attachments. Less work if you just took out the pockets.

Here's an article that deals with installing the Pacer in an early '50's Chev truck that will at least give you a flavor of what's involved. http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs.htm His advantage of course is that his stock rails are already pretty much straight.

Some might go with the old standard of a Camaro/Nova clip, but with the 460 you could have sump issues unless you're really setting the engine far back.

Hey Uncle Bob, would you know or tell me where I might look to find the track width on the volare/aspen front end. talking to a hotrod shop today and they suggested that same front end but are unsure of track width.
Incidentally I've changed my motor choice again but set on caddy 500 this time, even bought the engine. so commited to it . And on that the rod shop suggested I look at later GM truck 5speed gearboxes as I want to go manual trans, any idea where to look for g/box info?
Thanks for your help

Here's a chart with several cars info for your reference, including Aspen/Volare; http://50chevy.freeservers.com/Subframe.htm

As for the trans, I don't have anything in my immediate database, but if you did a search engine (google, dog pile, ask jeeves, etc.) and search out T-5 and T-85 transmissions you'll get lots of fun stuff to read.

Or you might try contacting Fat Man Fabrications (..::FatmanFabrications::..), they make a front clip for Hudsons.