T5 transmission crossmember

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Apr 18, 2018 | 03:36 PM

willys392

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2015

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T5 transmission crossmember

I am putting a T5 in my 56 F100. I have the Y block truck bell housing already modified and I'm using the stock Y block truck mounts. My question is do I need to install a transmission crossmember for the T5? I know the old cast iron 3 speed just hung out there in midair and seeing as the T5 is lighter I'm trying to decide if I need the crossmember.
thanks
Bill

Apr 18, 2018 | 08:14 PM

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

I would. The T5 is 2-3 times as long and aluminum. X member wouldn't need to be super stout, just something to support the tailshaft.

Apr 18, 2018 | 08:53 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,296

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From: NM

As I recall, when factory-fitted with the overdrive option, Ford added a crossmember to the tailshaft housing. And those were cast iron.

Apr 19, 2018 | 12:41 PM

Carbonarc

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 221

Likes: 25

From: Clarkdale, AZ

Modern Drive Line told me a crossmember is mandatory with the T5. It doesn't have to be heavy duty. Mike's (Rimrock F1) build thread shows a clean solution that i plan on copying for my 53. There are two photos near the top of the page that show the crossmember.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-thread-4.html

Apr 19, 2018 | 01:05 PM

oldmerc

oldmerc

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,538

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From: Edmonton,Alberta

I would add one in to control any vibration . I built a real simple one for Bessy

Apr 19, 2018 | 03:20 PM

willys392

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2015

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thanks for the replies. Mike's (Rimrock F1) crossmember is pretty slick. Looks like I've got some fabin' to do.

Apr 20, 2018 | 11:33 AM

jakevidrine

Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 147

Likes: 2

I used 1.25” square tubing for mine, made holes to bolt on the trans mount and angled the ends so I could get a socket in it to bolt it to the frame. Then I bolted it to the trans and squared it to the frame to drill my holes and bolted it up. The whole process took maybe 2 hours and costed about $8.