crossmember for 4 speed?

[DHracer3]

Trying to find pictures or someone that has cut and welded either the stock crossmember or an aftermarket crossmember in a 3 speed frame to fit the 4 speed transmission??.. I need to do this but still not sure if I cut and rotate my stock crossmember and then reweld.. Im not 100% positive that it will fit?.. anybody have some pictures of their modified 3 speed crossmember?


Thanks

 

[Hugh Heifer]

If you cut the torque tube out and re-weld it, the frame will no longer maintain its original rigidity.
That said, it was done in mine. Worked fine. The issue is that any time you have to pull the parking brake, you have to drop the rear of the engine. It is a PITA.

It is a little late for me to take a pic for you though.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Here's how I did mine when I put the 4 speed in. I cut the crossmember, rotated it, welded in a piece of 1/4" plate on both sides and used two 1/2" grade 8 bolts to hold it together. If you ever have to remove the tranny, this mod makes it sooo nice and easy. Sorry, the pic doesn't show much, but you get the idea.

By rotating it, it gave me room to work on the parking brake without removing the crossmember. By making it removeable, I can easily pull the tranny or transfer case. And since I was already in there, it wasn't that much more work to do this mod. I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Here's how I did mine when I put the 4 speed in. I cut the crossmember, rotated it, welded in a piece of 1/4" plate on both sides and used two 1/2" grade 8 bolts to hold it together. If you ever have to remove the tranny, this mod makes it sooo nice and easy. Sorry, the pic doesn't show much, but you get the idea.

By rotating it, it gave me room to work on the parking brake without removing the crossmember. By making it removeable, I can easily pull the tranny or transfer case. And since I was already in there, it wasn't that much more work to do this mod. I'd definitely recommend it.

Pretty neat design.

 

[DHracer3]

Here's how I did mine when I put the 4 speed in. I cut the crossmember, rotated it, welded in a piece of 1/4" plate on both sides and used two 1/2" grade 8 bolts to hold it together. If you ever have to remove the tranny, this mod makes it sooo nice and easy. Sorry, the pic doesn't show much, but you get the idea.

By rotating it, it gave me room to work on the parking brake without removing the crossmember. By making it removeable, I can easily pull the tranny or transfer case. And since I was already in there, it wasn't that much more work to do this mod. I'd definitely recommend it.

I might have to consider this mod... Could be very handy to have later down the road.!!
Thanks

 

[65swb45]

The last one I did for a customer I used a 1/2" steel plate, frame height, 6" long that I could drill and tap 4 holes in. With matching plates on the torque tube, the combined thickness allowed me to move the tube back a few inches and still have room in the wider section of the frame.

The one I did for Ruftoys many years ago was the same concept, just drilled and bolted straight to the inner frame channel without the reinforcement plate.

Don't forget to gusset the plate on the torque tube side.

Sorry, no pics.

Best

Mark A.

 

[Waterboy]

Is there a detailed write up on this swap with pics? Going to be doing this soon and wondering if it's going to be over my head.

Thanks,
Waterboy

 

[centerlineseal]

The last one I did for a customer I used a 1/2" steel plate, frame height, 6" long that I could drill and tap 4 holes in. With matching plates on the torque tube, the combined thickness allowed me to move the tube back a few inches and still have room in the wider section of the frame.

The one I did for Ruftoys many years ago was the same concept, just drilled and bolted straight to the inner frame channel without the reinforcement plate.

Don't forget to gusset the plate on the torque tube side.

Sorry, no pics.

Best

Mark A.

What do you mean by "gusset". I have to do this mod for an NV4500 setup this week.

Thanks Mark

 

[DHracer3]

I'm guessing its welding a 1/2" plate on the frame then weld a plate onto the cut off crossmember and put reinforcement from the tube to the plate.
Then drill from the tube through the 1/2" plate and bolt it on..

 

[65swb45]

What do you mean by "gusset". I have to do this mod for an NV4500 setup this week.

Thanks Mark

Welded triangular plates between the tube and the plate, spreading the 'load' out across the plate, rather than just on the one 360 degree weld.

Best

Mark A.

 

[shelfboy1]

its a personal preference ive done more 4 speed conversions than i can count and never touched a crossmember.ten years later when the clutch has to be replaced its no big deal to drop the back of the engine.parking brake may be another story but i dont mind lowering the motor to replace the parts.we also have state inspection and you cant modify those parts here.good luck

 

[steffan]

just for reference, here is a picture of what I did for my 4-speed conversion: 2.5 inch, 3 hole exhaust flange (.5 inch thick) -about $12 on ebay. I had to flare the end of the torque tube a little to get a tighter fit on the flange and then welded it up on both sides. Very strong and easy to remove.

 

[BDelling]

I like the flange idea. I think I'll give it a try!