I have read about replacing the rear end for better highway performance. By the time I was finished I was and still am quite confused. What I would like to know is there a rear end (differential) that is plug and play for a 37 Hudson terraplane. Preferably one I could go to my local U-pull it and yank. With very little modifications. Would love to drop that 4.11 to a 3.7
I have heard that ford 8" pumpkins will work is that a fact
Moved to "Hudson" forum category.
I once met a man with a 1935 Terraplane, into which he had transplanted an early 1950's Ford pumpkin from a Ford with "Fordomatic" automatic transmission. I think the ratio was something like 3.5. In the 1935 Terraplane, at least, the pumpkin bolted into the housing almost perfectly (I think one bolt didn't line up). And the Terraplane's drive shaft did not have to be shortened to accommodate the new pumpkin. I do not know if they same Ford pumpkin would interchange into the 1937, however.
Of course, the neatest and cleanest "fix" would be to purchase the 3.5 ring and pinion gears from Ivan Zaremba, but being reproductions they are not inexpensive.
There is a set of Ivans gears in the classifieds section of this site for sale. He is asking 950, he paid 1,300 from Ivan this summer.
Saw that but would rather not spend quite that much right now. Got to pay for an engine rebuild that should be done Would love to get a better ID on the 50"s ford Pumkin rear end talked about on another thread.
The Ford pumpkin was from a 52-54 ford 6cyl automatic car. I believe it was necessary to use the Hudson side gears and shim them to fit as the ford gears were a different spline. You also need a crossover u-joint from the ford to the hudson shaft. Not a true bolt in, but close.
The gentleman who did this conversion has since passed away.
Tom's correct. I had forgotten that one had to adapt the Hudson side gears to the Ford unit. I spoke to the late Mr. Gfroerer (?) several years ago and he told me how he'd made the transplant into his '35.
The repro rear end gears are expensive, no doubt about it. And if you have plenty of time and mechanical ability, the Ford rearend may be the way to achieve your aims. But you should also consider several things: those Ford parts are getting harder to find, so you'll have some hours of searching time. And (because the Fords they fit are now considered antiques) won't be cheap. They're heavy, so shipping may be expensive. Then you have to do the the retro-fit of the Hudson gears onto the Ford pumpkin, and then you have to fit the whole thing together in the housing. So, it's possible you may end up spending more than the $950 for the Zaremba gears (which are a bargain). Those simply bolt in. But again, if you're retired with time on your hands, the Ford route could be way cheaper. It depends!
I put a rear drive 8.8 out of a 2003 ford ranger in our 37 Hudson truck . The backing plate to backing plate measurement was about a 1/4 difference with 3: 70 gears or so and got rid of old leaf spring set up and put ranger leaf springs and mount to it. The wheel bolt pattern is the same. I paid 300 for wrecked scrap ranger and sold motor and everything else for $500. If you want I can send pictures. A phone call to drive-line shop and they can handle the rest......I am about originality but you brought it up. This is a cool swap for old. Al
I've been fighting this since this post came up - but I got to say it. When I saw "Reviving an old rear end" I thought it was referring to my former wife!!! 😛 The devil made me say it!!! :silly:
Actually she wasn't all that bad - she did let me go out and play with my Hudson family tho she wasn't interested in the club.
Hudsonly,
Alex B
LOL
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