I got rid of the E4OD in my F250 and put a ZF in. As you can see, the ZF crossmember is several inches forward of where the old crossmember was...




And on the right side, the exhaust pipe is in the way so I can't put the crossmember gusset (bracket, whatever) in:




Apparently the exhaust downpipe is different for automatic and manual trucks? Maybe someone with a factory-equipped ZF truck could post a pic?
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Getting dark out there and one parked over snow and Ice, can get pictures tomorrow if remind me.

Auto trans (E4OD) pipes pass over the crossmember, while mine isn't 100% stock "pipe" wise enough of it there on the zf manual trans model, its pipes pass below the crossmember leaving room for the brace.

Both mine are 4wd too, not sure but doubt that comes into play but figured better mention it.

 

I do not have a zf truck and don't know your fab skills but you might think about bolting on the crossmember then bolt the mount to the tranny then you could get an idea if you could mate the two with a fabbed bracket. Might be quicker than fighting all the little problems that you will encounter

 

not sure on the94, but on my 88 the crossmember could go in 2 ways. one way it did the same thing as you have, sat almost 4 inches forward.. i flipped it around and it fit in the old holes.

 

on my 93, the exhaust goes in under the crossmember.

 

danr1, you got any pics yet?

tjc, that's a good idea, I'll try it.

 

Manual pipes dip under crossmember, crossmember is higher at that point even with bottom of frame rail. Pipes turn up just beyond CM to follow same route as auto's system beyond that point.



Auto pipes pass over crossmember, crossmember is lower at that point lower than bottom of frame rail. (Pipes not stock however routed exactly the same) .



Auto crossmember doesn't have the inner angle brace, wraps up around outside of frame instead.


Auto's exhaust is routed better, on it it remains tight to bottom of the truck for entire length over the manual's system makes for a cleaner look. Not a big deal but don't like to be able to see it.

 

Hmmm.... your crossmembers look completely different than mine, both my ZF crossmember and my old automatic CM. What year are your trucks? Mine is 94.

Tried what tjc said, turning the crossmember around, but it didn't work, the holes wouldn't line up at all.

 

Auto trans is a 94, Manual a 97.

Auto doesn't have that stiffener that side but it does on the drivers side, manual doesn't have it on the drivers side.

It looks like the 97 uses the same crossmember as the 94 with auto trans, flipped it end for end and using it for the 97 model with a manual trans.

Your truck is a 94 but what year is the CM from?

Might have to get you more pictures I guess, if so let me know but I'd have to do so tomorrow for ya, to late getting dark here now.

 

I guess yours is different because it's 4x4.

The junkyard donor truck that I got the ZF CM from was also 94. Both my CM's have gussets at each end instead of wrapping around the frame like yours.

Thanks for the pics, but it looks like yours are too different from mine to be of much help.

 

Yea must be 4w makes the differernce.

Appears only way you're gonna get that stiffener in place is to relocate the pipes, I wouldn't let it bother me running without it.

One day replace the pipes yea might go as far put it in place run the pipes below it but would rather have the pipes up in between the frame, pipes up tight to the truck more over having that CM stiffener in place.

Might work something else out say if heard "creaks" and or "pops" coming from that point, some more bolts and or different brace other than that factory piece stiffen it up if necessary working it out around where the pipe are now.

 

both my 88's(both auto 4x4's) have the same crossmember as mine and one sock's, just my 93(zf 4x4) has the exhaust underneath.
But, both 88's do have the inner brace with the exhaust up above and they are all fairly original.
I would post a picture of mine if it would let me.
I can email one to you one sock if you want.

 

This is my 1993 F250. 351 zf5. 4x4. Stock pipes