91 Ranger Transmission Crossmember

[mattandhistruck]

I'm in the middle of pulling the trans on my 91 Ranger (2.3L RWD 5 speed) to change the slave cylinder and unfortunately, I'm going to have to cut the trans crossmember bolts off since they are rusted to the sleeves in the bushings. I know that these bushings aren't sold by Ford, or anybody else for that matter, and it seems that Ford is no longer carrying the entire replacement crossmember anymore either.

So before I cut the thing out, are there any replacement options other than trying to get an older Explorer crossmember or fabbing up a new one? Has anybody tried any two part poly bushing kits, maybe made for other applications that fit the stock crossmember? Has anybody tried any of the prefabbed replacements that are out there?

I'm really in a bind for time on this since I need this truck for work and public transportation is not an option for me.

I'm going to dig around and see if I can't find any bushings that will fit, or get close. Really, fastest option wins here. Until then, any ideas?

 

[97RangerXLT]

For quick and relatively painless (Yeah, I know rust is not painless..) try to find one at a junkyard and remove it. any year Ranger that has your transmission in it should work as a donor... you might be able to grab one from a mid to late 2000's model.

Some of the more knowledgeable people on here can probably narrow it down even more for you.

And while not OEM, this might work for you:
http://shop.illusivefabrications.com/crossmembers/ford-ranger-transmission-crossmember-83-97/

AJ

 

[mattandhistruck]

For quick and relatively painless (Yeah, I know rust is not painless..) try to find one at a junkyard and remove it. any year Ranger that has your transmission in it should work as a donor... you might be able to grab one from a mid to late 2000's model.

That was part of what I was wondering. I've heard/read/researched in the last few hours that there are doner options, but I'll have to wait till the weekend to hit up a salvage yard.

And while not OEM, this might work for you:
http://shop.illusivefabrications.com/crossmembers/ford-ranger-transmission-crossmember-83-97/

AJ

I checked out that part, and it looks like it would do the trick in a pinch. I'm going to contact them tomorrow during business hours and get some more info about it.

In the meantime, I measured up a few things and I think I might have a quicker option with less fab work needed. The forward leaf spring bushings on this truck seem to be the same length and diameter as the crossmember bushings. There are some performance poly bushings that are two part bushings that press in from either side of the tube on the end of the leaf spring. I think I'm going to try and remove the old bushings from the crossmember, cut off the one end and press it out, and see how close I can get the leaf spring bushings to fit. Worst case I wasted $20 at my local parts store and still have to go to the salvage yard this weekend.

 

[mattandhistruck]

As an update, I was able to find a new crossmember at a local Ford dealership. It was $166, and I got a bit of a discount because I was initially quoted at $230 over the phone.

So this issue is pretty much closed. However, I'm going to keep looking for a way to change the bushings on the old crossmember. There's no reason for this to be such a common issue and yet there is no relatively cheap and simple solution. I got the leaf spring bushings and the larger ones DO fit, albeit with a slight gap in between both halves of the bushing, but they are not flared out enough to use without either adding several washers or modifying the brackets that hold the crossmember. I worry it will squeak a lot with just washers. But if anybody out there is willing to try, it should work out. A kit with all the leaf spring bushings runs a little over $40 so it would be a cheap fix if it works and doesn't make a ton of noise.