Transmission Crossmember

[Rexxxx]

Hi,

New to the forum, but have been a lurker for a while now.
I have an 87 Ranger XLT 4x4 2.3l gas, and the transmission crossmember is shot. Seems Ford no longer makes or sells this part so that leaves junk yards.

Does anyone know what other model years would be compatible with an 87 Ranger transmission crossmember? I saw a few Rangers at the junk yard and wanted to know before I went at it, only to find it doesn't fit.

Thanks,
James

 

[Insanejughead]

Find a ranger that has a crossmember that sits inside the frame rails (I'm guessing you have the gullwing style crossmember that mounts on the outside of the frame rails?). There are holes already in the frame rail for it to mount up, and you don't have to get one off of any specific year/style ranger.


They keep the transmission mount in the same place, but the crossmember itself doesn't hang down as far, which gives you more ground clearance.

 

[Rexxxx]

Thanks for the reply, I probably should have posted in 4x4 section.

Yep, it's the gullwing style.
Do you know offhand if Ford still sells that style?
To save me the time in the junkyard getting it off.

 

[Rexxxx]

Here's the one you want, although I imagine others would work too:

The donor car:

???

In an '87 Ranger 4x4:

Plenty of room for the propshaft:

$16.00 at Crazy Ray's.

Lots of grinding is required to get the brackets and rivets off. After grinding the heads off, I had to drill them out, and then pound them out with a BFH and punch. I used a step bit for the hole on the drivers side.
It feels a lot more stable now and worth every penny. Lots of sweating though.

Thanks

 

[scotts90ranger]

hmm, didn't realize those fit a 2.3 truck... that's the mount on all the '91-94 explorers (if they're the same frame width at that point which I think they are) so there should be a bunch out there. I'm running the type with the two leaf spring like bushings and it's kind of a pain sometimes.

 

[Rexxxx]

Hmm, interesting, another potential donor.
This one came off of the mid 90's blue Ranger above.
Not sure what year it is, but the bracket fit the description and swapped right over.

 

[HighMileage93]

So, these "L" shaped x-members can be found on 91-94 Explorers and various Rangers up to mid 90's? Any certain clues (options) to know which rangers might have this one? Needing to do this swap out of necessity.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Earlier trucks have them on the inside of the frame. Up to ‘85.