50 Commander front end rebuild or replace it compleatly?

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

So does anyone know if there is there a new complete update and replacement kit for a 50' Commander front end?

Or should I just get the rebuild kit from SI? Either way it is about $1000 or $1500 when it's all said and done.

I'm just looking ahead for the next big fix on my car so any advise would be helpful.

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

Let me rephrase this what has anyone used in the past to up grade the front end of a commander? any benefits to a ford? or a Chevy?

[Scotty Bob]

I own a 1950 Land Cruiser, and I am just slowly acquiring the various parts necessary to rebuild the front end completely...I find a deal here and a deal there...as you said, it gets costly. I am one of those purists, so I have to say, if I wanted a Chevy or a Ford, I would have purchased one of them...

If we had 1951 Commanders, there are lots of options...however, as the proud owners of 1950 models, we don't have much choice...any way it will get pricey...

I just priced our the shock rebuilding at Apple Hydraulics in Calverton, NY...$660.00 for the four of them ($165.00). Like I said, ouch...

Good luck, Edsel

Scotty Bob

[royvaldez]

edsel, Whay not purchase a rolling chassis. Take what is good off and use on your front end repairs. I have a nice one here in N. Ca. Perhaps that is too far.

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

I have all the paper work for the car. It is in remarkably good shape for the year. BUT screw the one off front end. What would you do? make it a daily driver with the OEM Or replace the parts with new up dated stuff? And if so what stuff would you use?

[mbstude]

I can't see how installing a different front end would be less expensive than a stock rebuild. Plus you have all the headaches of installing it and the bugs after installation to worry with. Unless you're going to go the full hot rod route, I'd rebuild the stock stuff. A mostly-stock car with a funky front end would really hurt the resale value too, I'd think.

[bezhawk]

it has "only " lasted 60 years so far.....how long will the replacement stuff last???

[Bud]

Have you done a complete inspection of all of the suspension parts? You may find that the front suspension doesn't need everything replaced, which will lower the repair cost considerably. Bud

[Jeff_H]

I don't have a parts book for a '50. I Know the '50 front ends are unique but they are a coil spring independant suspension. Is it possible that some of the wear items are the same as a '51-'52? Those A arm threaded bushings for example?? Dunno what parts Edsel needs. Studebaker seemed to reuse a lot of the unseen parts so maybe there is hope. The earlier '47-'49 cars with the transverse spring also have A arms and kingpins. Are any of the those bushing/bearing parts the same as a '50? I assume what is needed is bushings and rod ends, etc and not A arms, springs and so on.

[deco_droid]

i remember reading somewhere that the chicken hawk used stock Stude suspension, and i was really surprised. i figured if it was good enough for that car, i could make do. i'll know more once i get into it, but that's my first impression...

[bezhawk]

I know that the taiper on the tie-rod ends is different than 51-up cars. The center bellcrank pivot housing has only three bolts and is triangular shaped vs later....but, I dont know if the bearings are the same. You could try some later bushings, but I dont think they'd be any cheaper.
sometimes you can find a good bearing house and match up sizes.

[Lothar]

Edsel
We face a similar dilemma. The front end on my Champion still feels fairly tight, but I can see that many rubber bushings and seals are deteriorated. My solution so far has simply been regular greasing and washing, but I'm nervous about taking my car anywhere at highway speed. That said, I've come to the conclusion that my car was built to work with this suspension and steering set-up so it is best to rebuild it if I possibly can find the needed parts.
I couldn't find a "rebuild kit" for 1950 Commanders OR Champions in the latest SI catalog. By the way, 1950 Commander and Champion steering and suspension are not just different from every other year of Studebaker, they are substantially different from each other.
I looked at my Chassis parts manual and figured out this much.
1.Studebaker sold control arm repair kits with replacements bushings, shafts and pins. The "lower arm inner", "lower arm outer pivot" and "upper arm outer" kits are identical for 1950 Champions and Commanders. Only the "upper arm inner" kits are different.
2. King pins and all related bearings and other parts are different between 1950 Champion and Commander. There is no interchangeability of parts between any 1950 king pin parts and previous years that I can see, either. Interestingly, though, the king pin support castings are apparently interchangeable between 1950 Champions and Commanders.
3. Tie rods and steering gear are completely different between 1950 Champions and Commmanders.

Since these parts are so particular to a single year and model, they are bound to be expensive, if they can be found at all. Good luck and let me know what you decide.

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

I just paid a crazy amount ($50) for bushings for my sway bar. I should have gone to my skate board shop and bought urethane bushings from them they would be much stiffer and would not be looking tired like my new bushings are looking now after just about 100 miles.

So are there options for cheaper bushings and boots for these cars? Do you know of any conversion part numbers? ( I have the books already) I agree the metal parts are going to be pricey. I admit I am screwed with that and will have to replace what is necessary.

Also here is where I talk crazy If it were available would it be possible to have a dropped spindle in this front end? Or would this mess with anything?

I told you crazy talk.

Thanks in advanced guys I am learning a lot from your knowledge.