1 piece & crossmember?

[crawlin91]

what is better to do with the crossmember when installing the 1 piece driveshaft.....
move it forward or shave it down a little?
oh and how far forward does it need to go?

I feel like moving it forward would be easier for me because of lack of grinder/welder. But I dont want to weaken the frame.

 

[kunar]

i took mine out. i have thought about putting it back, but im not sure yet. i would really like to turn it into a drive shaft hoop, so the drive shaft can go through the middle.

 

[bobbywalter]

i either put them up top, or in a pile for use in belly protection k members later.

or a dumpster if you want. up to you.

 

[crawlin91]

OK, I noticed in the Tech library it said its a vital part of the frame and removing it would weaken the structure.

What do you mean, flip it upside down and bolt it in over the top of the driveshaft????

 

[engdept]

Maurice called Ford and talked to their engineers when he did the swap on his old '97. Ford said it wasn't structural. There was no change in his frame.

The '98+ Rangers do not have them and the only difference is the front part of the frame.

 

[crawlin91]

Maurice called Ford and talked to their engineers when he did the swap on his old '97. Ford said it wasn't structural. There was no change in his frame.

The '98+ Rangers do not have them and the only difference is the front part of the frame.

So from what everyone is saying I can take it off and throw it away completely? Guess that saves time. Might still just move it 6 inches or so to the front.

 

[AllanD]

It isn't structural, technically it's a "Bracket" not a "Crossmember"

Because it's only attached to the BOTTOM flange of the frame rails.

On an (auto trans) '86-87 OR on an '88 you have no choice the crossmember MUST come out.

On an '89 simply removing the "pedestal" is sufficient unless your truck is lifted.

On my '87 supercab I retrofitted a '90 crossmember without it's pedestal, but
that main function it is performing is to hold up the front end of the '91-94 fuel tank I also retrofitted into my truck.

AD

 

[crawlin91]

It isn't structural, technically it's a "Bracket" not a "Crossmember"

Because it's only attached to the BOTTOM flange of the frame rails.

On an (auto trans) '86-87 OR on an '88 you have no choice the crossmember MUST come out.

On an '89 simply removing the "pedestal" is sufficient unless your truck is lifted.

On my '87 supercab I retrofitted a '90 crossmember without it's pedestal, but
that main function it is performing is to hold up the front end of the '91-94 fuel tank I also retrofitted into my truck.

AD

Well if you guys say its not necessary, In the scrap heap it goes. After all this is my first RBV, Thanks to all who put up with my newbie questions. Just trying to have all of my ducks in a line before I slap the lift on.

 

[94STXRanger]

Does that count for a 94 as well? Sorry to thread jack here

 

[rboyer]

When I went to a 1 piece driveshaft in my 94 extended cab I removed the pedestal and notched out the crossmember a little bit for clearance and left the rest of it in. The only reason I needed to notch it was because I have a 6 inch suspension lift, i'm willing to bet that if you have 2-3 inches of lift you still may be able to get away with just removing the pedestal because I didn't have to notch that much out of mine for it to clear. Then again if it serves no structural purpose then just hack it out of there.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

As said, its not structural in anyway, save yourself some time and just toss it.

 

[Bent Bolt]

i took mine out. i have thought about putting it back, but im not sure yet. i would really like to turn it into a drive shaft hoop, so the drive shaft can go through the middle.

Same here. Thinking of tossing the stock transfer case skid plate and build one longer ( front to rear ) to take the crossmember's place.

 

[kunar]

Same here. Thinking of tossing the stock transfer case skid plate and build one longer ( front to rear ) to take the crossmember's place.

thats an idea too...

 

[AllanD]

On my truck mildly "lifted" (Explorer towing package springs)
I can still fit my hand between the shaft and the crossmember with the suspension at full droop so I don't see any point in removing it.

And the left side of it DOES hold up the extension of the fuel tank that sticks forward
of that crossmember.

On your '94 there should actually be a riveted in "extension" for
the gas tank skid plate to protest that snot on the fuel tank.

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