crossmember ?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
crossmember ?
I wanted to know how much of a differance there is if I removed the crossmember that is right under where the motor and tranny come together. It is not being used for anything other than being in the way for my headers. Here is a pic of the one I'm talking about...
AirForceVet
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 591
Likes: 119
From: Spotsylvania,Virginia
Crossmember
351c, I cut it out. The crossmember served two purposes, engine mount and structual support, the frame was designed to flex.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
my cuz billy's 53 had that one and the front v8 xmember cut / notched out { the trans one removed } and needless to say he has had to straighten it , box it , and added some xmembers too replace them . the frames might be made to flex but too much gone and you end up with a pretzel and doing a lot of repair and welding !!!!!!!!!! move it , or put another in further back , or modify it to clear would be my opinion .
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
CROSSMEMBER
If you have a stock front end, fab some kind of crossmember to prevent too much flex. The new drivetrain has a lot more power than stock. If you have a Mustang II type, you'll have to box the frame where the crossmember was attached as well as fab a crossmember. With an IFS you want least amout of flex. Hope that helps
AirForceVet
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 591
Likes: 119
From: Spotsylvania,Virginia
Crossmember
my cuz billy's 53 had that one and the front v8 xmember cut / notched out { the trans one removed } and needless to say he has had to straighten it , box it , and added some xmembers too replace them . the frames might be made to flex but too much gone and you end up with a pretzel and doing a lot of repair and welding !!!!!!!!!! move it , or put another in further back , or modify it to clear would be my opinion .
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
There is another crossmember for the tranny mount just abit further back. You can just barley see it at the top of the arrow I put in the picture, Will that be enuff or should I go ahead and put another in here once I get the headers on? The truck was originally a V8 and I have no plans on hot rodding/racing it or anything like that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
For what it's worth, if you have the original front suspension then I would suggest that you modify/or replace it with one that clears your headers. If I remember correctly the stock cross member attaches at the rear spring mount. I think it would be a good idea to keep that arrangement. Now if you have a IFS then you can remove it because you are replacing it with the IFS cross member.
Chuck
Chuck
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
It depends. If you notice on all the factory members, not only do they attach both sides together, they also connect the upper and lower frame rail webs together. Too many homemade or aftermarket crossmembers fail to do that, and really don't put back the strength necessary for correct functionality. So if your trans crossmember just sits/bolts on the bottom part of the frame rail web, it's not going to take the place of the factory member you want to remove.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
