ClassicCar

MikeWA

Is anyone aware of a floor shift conversion for a Hudson 3 speed manual transmission (or one for some other model that will work)? Anybody have one? What make and model is the Hudson 3 speed- Borg Warner? Never liked "3 on the tree" when I was young, and still don't. Thanks for the replies.

boothguy

Will need to Know whether its a single or double lever trans

Jon B

I've been told that a Jeep or Studebaker truck floor shift will bolt right into the top of a Borg-Warner transmission (1952 and newer), because those transmissions were used in the aforementioned trucks. I know of one Hudsonite who actually has a 1952 Hudson 8 complete with its original transmission, and a floor shift lever, in his 1935 Hudson. I do not know which models and years of these trucks have the appropriate shift levers.

`Hudsonator

Mike (WA) wrote:

Is anyone aware of a floor shift conversion for a Hudson 3 speed manual transmission (or one for some other model that will work)? Anybody have one? What make and model is the Hudson 3 speed- Borg Warner? Never liked "3 on the tree" when I was young, and still don't. Thanks for the replies.

There is no floor shift option for the single lever tranny.

The Borg Warner T-86 2 lever tranny - whole different story.

This is something that has been discussed here before.

http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3488&highlight=Mark+shifter

The Jeep shifter requires that you completely remove the side shifter mechanisms, which consequently requires a near complete disassembly. In order for it to work with the OD version of the T-86, it gets even more complicated as you must be able to actuate the OD lockout rod when shifting into reverse.

If your running a non-OD T-86 tranny, a Hurst Indy shifter will work if you don't like the Jeep top shifter. The OD unit prevents you from mounting the Indy. The shifters that will cross are Borg Warner T-86 and T-90 transmissions. If you can find an aftermarket shifter such as the Hurst that lists a 3 speed auto using one of those transmission types, you can get it to work in the Hudson T-86.

Mark

46HudsonPU

Actually, my '39 Hudson pickup has a 3-speed, on the floor. I understand that the column shift was an 'option' at the time, and that this particular truck & transmission could be modified for a column mounted shifter. I don't think you'll find too many cars with 'factory floor shift', as the column shift was 'the thing to have' as soon as it was released/available, and soon became standard - at least in non-commercial vehicles. Even my '46 pickups came with column shift - I believe floor shift was not even available at that time.

If you look around enough or call the right people (possibly Al Saffrahn?), you can probably find an older hudson transmission that has the floor shift lever. Whether you would want to put an older transmission into your stepdown; would it work; or could it be easily modified to work are other questions.

The other options (converting your current column shift to a floor shift) have already been addressed. - Good luck, & keep us informed, ok?

(Yup, it's still in TX...)

'47HUD

Rick, I think possibly the transmission in your '39 is most likely the same as what the late '30's Terraplane's were equipped with. You might want to research this a little deeper, I was with the understanding that Hudson was using up several items on the '39's that were on the Terraplane model's. 1940 was the 1st year for the independent front suspension, and I was told by reliable sources that '40 model's had a 'one-year only' transmission. I'm not 100% positive on this, but they did start changing some things around in '40 and '41 !

'47HUD

Geoff C., N.Z.

The transmissions from '33 up to 1940 were all the same general design, and the shift lever was in the lid up to 1937. Then in '38 they introduced the "Handy-shift" as they called it, on the column. This went down to the lid , and you could interchange the lid with any of the earlier models with a floor lever if you wanted to. The actual shift forks were attached to detent shafts in the upper section of the box, one each side. then in '41 came the first single-lever transmission which had the lever in the side, and was completely different of course from earlier models, having the detent shafts and forks on the left side of the box, above each other.

Geoff.

46HudsonPU

'47HUD wrote:

Rick, I think possibly the transmission in your '39 is most likely the same as what the late '30's Terraplane's were equipped with. You might want to research this a little deeper, I was with the understanding that Hudson was using up several items on the '39's that were on the Terraplane model's. 1940 was the 1st year for the independent front suspension, and I was told by reliable sources that '40 model's had a 'one-year only' transmission. I'm not 100% positive on this, but they did start changing some things around in '40 and '41 !

'47HUD

I believe you're right. As Geoff says (and he's forgotten more than most will ever know about Hudsons - myself included) the transmissions during this timeframe were all the same, be it Hudson or Terraplane (interchangeable).
From Geoff's description (and another thread on the difference in starter gears and flywheel toothcount on earlier year Hudsons) it may well be easier to 'convert' a later stepdown 3-speed transmission from column to floor shift - as already described and indicated in this thread (above).

MikeWA

Thanks to all for the comments. I don't have the car home yet, but its a '48 with OD, so am thinking from the posts that I won't be converting to floor shift. Do appreciate all the input.

`Hudsonator

This is my honest opinion, that cable/single lever transmission is the smoothest shifting "3 on the tree" you'll ever lay your hands on. Its far smoother than the 2 lever transmission.

That is provided its adjusted correctly.

Have fun, and if you haven't heard - column shifters are just plain cool these days!

Mark

dynolou

Mike, would you care to join our local chapter? You can call me with phone number found on our website www.nwchapterhet.com Hudsonly Lou Cote

MikeWA

Lou, you must have read my mind- I sent in my app. form last week. I had been a member in years past, but let it lapse- now with my Hudson purchase that actually runs, I hope to get back to some "car stuff" locally. Thanks for the invite.

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