Custom Crossmember Ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 4
From: Near Madison, WI
Here is what I built to mount the NV4500 behind my 351W. I sandwiched the frame to give some added support. I used 2x3x3/16 rect tubing with some 1/4 angle iron for the ends and c-channel for the trans mount. Just made the lower section first, mocked up the motor and trans, set the angle and made a cardboard template to cut the c-channel. Bolted it up to the trans, tacked it up, removed the whole thing and mig welded it up. Used .035 wire.
Doug
Doug
-Jared
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
I've heard that before as well. Not sure how that works, but it is what it is. If I am bolting something on I will try and use (just usually enlarge) holes that are already existing in the frame.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
Today I had a moment. Went out back and pulled the CM out of my junk 78 supercab. Lo and behold it slid in with a gentle whack. I figure I can chop of the top of the trans plate and weld on a 5/8 inch extension to reach the stock rubber mount.
Bad part is this was held inplace by 3 bolts on top of the frame and 2 at the bottom. It's not fastened to the side of frame as mentioned above. My 79 is this way also so I'm thinking this will be the easiest route. Going to slide the cab into place tomorrow night so I can be positive about the trans height clearing the cab.
You can also see I'm going to have to swap in the longer trans tailhousing. Pretty bummed about having to go in reverse but @#$% happens.
I slid a junk driveshaft in to get a feel for the angle and it is now about 20 degrees. This should get a bit better when the correct tailhousing is
installed.
Watcha think about that angle???
Bad part is this was held inplace by 3 bolts on top of the frame and 2 at the bottom. It's not fastened to the side of frame as mentioned above. My 79 is this way also so I'm thinking this will be the easiest route. Going to slide the cab into place tomorrow night so I can be positive about the trans height clearing the cab.
You can also see I'm going to have to swap in the longer trans tailhousing. Pretty bummed about having to go in reverse but @#$% happens.
I slid a junk driveshaft in to get a feel for the angle and it is now about 20 degrees. This should get a bit better when the correct tailhousing is
installed.
Watcha think about that angle???
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
While that is certainly some nice looking fabrication there, I would caution one thing. It is generally a bad idea to use the top or bottom of a frame in that way. Much of the frame's strength is in those areas. Ask anybody that does fabrication on semi's or other heavy equipment. You can pretty much swiss cheese the sides, but the top and bottom are off limits. My .02
-Jared
-Jared
Wow, I've been gone for a while. The mounting holes are original. I try not to modify this frame. The difference is there was a brace from the botton to the top of the frame. I may make a new brace for it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
Here is a pic of a factory lowboy married. It's been clearanced for the front shaft & tabs welded on for the top bolts. These things are always a pia trying to get at those top bolts. What are you going to do for a transfer case mount ? A lowboys mount is a tight squeeze and that high boy frame narrows somewhere ? You only have those 3 bolts on the left side to work with.
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