Alpine suspension in a Husky?

[numskal]

I recently bought a 58 Husky (no engine, a bit crusty up front) and have heard conflicting stories as to whether an Alpine front end will bolt in or needs to be modified to work. Can I mix Hillman parts like spindles with the Alpine cross-member or does it have to be all Alpine or ????? thanks in advance!

 

[260Alpine]

Ryan used Series 5 Alpine stuff in his:

http://www.britishv8.org/Other/RyanReis.htm

 

[Filister]

I currently have alpine series 4 spindles ( king pin style) on my 57 Rapier which I believe is identical to hillman except bigger drum brakes. The spindles were the same except:
- The spindle location will raise the front approx 3/4" higher.
- the alpine tie rod (drag link?) ends have different pin sizes so I had to use stock 57 inside and alpine on the spindle. The ends that thread onto the shaft are the same tho so it's not a problem. This may vary by year.
- This will widen the track by about 1" per side.

I used a .7" master cylinder with no booster and alpine discs stop fine with moderate pressure
I have a 58 hillman and a series 5 crossmember side by side and see no reason why alpine wouldn't bolt up to the hillman. which is what I intend to do when I rebuild the series 5 crossmember.

Note that there are two styles of suspension , King pin and ball joint.

 

[Limey]

I understood that the Early Alpine front axle assembly was actually 100% from a Husky but just had the Aluminium 'wedges fitted'

 

[numskal]

Thanks everyone, I'm cobbling a front end together to allow for ball joints and disc brakes. I'll post the results good or bad