Transmission crossmember questions/issues - pics!

SARCruiser · 10-30-09, 09:00 AM

I've hit a snag in my frame swap and it has to do with the transmission crossmember. My old frame (1987) has two triangular "horns" sandwiching each frame rail that the crossmember bolts to from underneath as seen below.

My new frame has four captured nuts on the inside of each rail where the horns on my old rail are located.

From what I've researched on here, it looks like those four holes are where the early-style crossmember bolted to the frame but I've never seen any pictures to confirm that. Am I correct?

The better question is if I get an early-style crossmember, will my '87 transmission bolt to it without any additional modifications?

Thanks!

NocalFJ60 · 10-30-09, 09:16 AM

Yes, mine has the earlier crossmember and has four bolts that bolt a brace to each side. The cross member sits on top of these braces on each side. You can see some of it in this thread.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...l-82-fj60.html

You should be able make an older cross member work but there might be some minor differences like a different transmission mount that bolts to the bottom of the transmission. Also there might be minor difference on the placement of the transmission with the older mount. The 3F bell housing rotates everything behind it at a small angle so things mount different. I have a 3F bell housing and have the older mount.

Cruiserdrew · 10-30-09, 09:20 AM

This is a significant issue for you, because even with an older crossmember, your transmission will be rotated into the incorrect position by the later bellhousing. I would do something to either re-use your later crossmember, or scrap the existing crossmember and build a custom crossmember from scratch.

SARCruiser · 10-30-09, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

This is a significant issue for you, because even with an older crossmember, your transmission will be rotated into the incorrect position by the later bellhousing. I would do something to either re-use your later crossmember, or scrap the existing crossmember and build a custom crossmember from scratch.

Now I'm confused because SOR has the same part listed for 10/80-8/87 bellhousings. I thought the rotation didn't occur until the 3F bellhousing?

Cruiserdrew · 10-30-09, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARCruiser

Now I'm confused because SOR has the same part listed for 10/80-8/87 bellhousings. I thought the rotation didn't occur until the 3F bellhousing?

.
3F bellhousing started in 85. Crossmember changed with the start of the 85 model year.

If SOR really lists it that way, they are wrong (which is unusual for them).

GLTHFJ60 · 10-30-09, 09:49 AM

To fix, you could carefully cut the frame mounts off of the old frame, bolt them to the crossmember, and the crossmember to the drivetrain assembly ( engine, tranny + transfer ). Use the motor mounts to locate where the crossmember mounts on the frame should be located. Push it into position then weld away!

SARCruiser · 10-30-09, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

To fix, you could carefully cut the frame mounts off of the old frame, bolt them to the crossmember, and the crossmember to the drivetrain assembly ( engine, tranny + transfer ). Use the motor mounts to locate where the crossmember mounts on the frame should be located. Push it into position then weld away!

This is the direction I'm leaning at this point except it's my trusty shop doing the work so it's more $$ into and already $$$ project.

GLTHFJ60 · 10-30-09, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARCruiser

This is the direction I'm leaning at this point except it's my trusty shop doing the work so it's more $$ into and already $$$ project.

Ah, gotcha. Good luck!

SARCruiser · 10-30-09, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NocalFJ60

Yes, mine has the earlier crossmember and has four bolts that bolt a brace to each side. The cross member sits on top of these braces on each side. You can see some of it in this thread.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...l-82-fj60.html

You should be able make an older cross member work but there might be some minor differences like a different transmission mount that bolts to the bottom of the transmission. Also there might be minor difference on the placement of the transmission with the older mount. The 3F bell housing rotates everything behind it at a small angle so things mount different. I have a 3F bell housing and have the older mount.

Nocal, somehow I missed your post when I looked at this thread the first couple of times. So what you're saying is that you are currently running a 3F bellhousing and the early-style mount/crossmember and it bolted together fine? From that other thread it looks like the only modification that was done to the crossmember was to provide clearance for your longer front driveshaft due to having the toybox?

NocalFJ60 · 10-30-09, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARCruiser

Nocal, somehow I missed your post when I looked at this thread the first couple of times. So what you're saying is that you are currently running a 3F bellhousing and the early-style mount/crossmember and it bolted together fine? From that other thread it looks like the only modification that was done to the crossmember was to provide clearance for your longer front driveshaft due to having the toybox?

That is correct. My 82 has the older crossmember and when I installed my engine and 5 speed I realized that the guy that bolted them together used a 3F bell housing. I didn't want to use the 3F bell housing but the 2F one has to be cut from what I have read. Instead of just changing out the bell housing I went with what he gave me and it worked. The 3F bell housing rotates the transfer case to a better driveshaft angle but is lower. One minor issue is my transmission was not perfectly centered in the hole in the floor and you can tell looking at the boot around the shifter if you look close but it is not much. The other issue is your transfer case shifter could lineup a little off too which could be an issue.

SARCruiser · 11-10-09, 06:54 AM

I just wanted to post up my resolution to this for anyone who finds this thread in a search. I ended up getting an early version crossmember and trans mount (thanks Mikesta!). The shop that was doing my frame swap for me got the engine and tranny in without changing anything else up. They did have to open up the bolt hols on my power steering gear box to get it to fit the holes on the frame but that was an easy fix. Driving it around since I got it back yesterday, I don't notice any substantial change in shifter position and I can put it in all 4 gears and reverse with no issues and the transfer case lines up just fine with the hole. So for the record: yes, you can use the early-version crossmember with the 3F bellhousing. I'll post up some pics this evening.