My "Blue Goose" has a standard Hudson 3-speed transmission and a differential/rearend with a 4 5/9 gears. As is common with this & most trucks and utility vehicles of this age, they are meant for hauling,
not for comfortable cruising at highway speeds.
My thoughts
around resolving this have been in two directions -
1. Replace
rearend with a unit that has a lower gear ratio ratio - 3.08, 3.42, 3.55, 3.73, etc...
2. Replace
the standard transmission, with a unit that has overdrive - quite common in Hudson cars of
this era, and was an option in both Hudson cars & trucks.
Replacing
the rear -
Measurements: I found that a 'donor' rearend would need to be 58"-59", from wheel mounting surface
to wheel mounting surface (give or take...);
Modifications: From discussion forum information, the easiest & most adaptable would come from
a Ford (same wheel mounting holes).
-
The spring perches and shock mounts (optional on Hudson trucks)
would need to be replaced/moved;
-
The driveshaft would probably need to be modified for a Ford universal joint in the rear;
-
Emergency brake cables moved/modifed;
Installing
an Overdrive Transmission: Not just a simple "bolt-in".
-
Since this is a truck, the bellhousing and clutch must be retained from the unit being replaced.
-
The driveshaft will need to be shortened, due to the increased length of the transmission;
-
The OD is electric, which will need to be properly wired and connected.
-
Controls for the OD will need to be mounted in the cab.
Which way to go & when?
Eventually it may be necessary
to do both, however I have elected to 'swap' the transmission with an OD unit. I've
just purchased one on Ebay (from a 1950's Hudson), and will probably do this as a 'winter' project, unless I get all the part-n-pieces,
materials, etc., that needed and am ready to do so earlier.
