Amen to that Charlie. Any after x member I have seen is lighter duty, except the Heidts Wide Ride front end X member, but I believe that is also used in addition to stock xmembers. I have one sitting in a frame but have not installed it yet. On my bucket list.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

In a truck, my best guess is that the engineers desired for the frame to flex, to increase the toughness in order to carry the heavier loads that a truck would tend to be subjected to, unlike a car.  Trucks were not expected to be performance vehicles, where as a car may have been, and combined with the lower load carrying capability, the flex was not desired in a car.  I think a riveted cross member would allow more flex than a welded cross member.

I think the best course of action is to modify the crossmembers so that your combo fits, rather than removing them entirely.  The engine and transmission crossmembers I have seen are not nearly as substantial as stock ones.



Lawrenceville, GA

Good luck with your project. I know many people have replaced the rivets with bolts over the years but I have no experience with doing that so I can't comment on it. I'm not sure why truck cross members were riveted and car cross members were welded?

I geet what your saying Jim, I really am not crazy about removing the main cross member. On the other hand, I have removed all the cross members that were rivited in and replaced the rivets with grade 5 or 8 bolts. I have read a lot of pros and cons about that too, including replacing the stock rivets. I really got rid of a lot of rust and crud behind all the cross member mounts to the frame rails, I just hope it dont come back to haunt me.I also ordered the Jegs Y Block cross member for side mount which, if it works, will be in addition to the main cross member bolted in,.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I wouldn't recommend removing any of the cross members, they are a major structural part of the frame and the bolt in trans and engine cross members really won't do much for strength. I've seen people remove the one the bell housing bolts to for clearance and it's not a good idea, especially if you plan on actually driving it. Just my opinion but I'd rather modify the floor pan if needed..

you nailed it, I dont know how I could have got those links you posted confused with trans mounts. My only idea is the name of the mounts, Trans Dapt or something like that. I did order the one that included the motor mounts. Im planning on removing that stock front crossmember and the front motor mounts to allow just a little bit of drop to clear the floor boards, dont need much. Next issue is whether or not I can leave that big main cross member installed. The one that the stock manual transmission bell housing mounted to. I really did not want to take it out. If the cross member mount I ordered works, I will also have the crossmember mount at the rear of the tailshaft on the transmission. This gives me two in place of one. Neither is as haavy at the big one I may have to remove or modify.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I posted again at FTE, you seem to be confused between engine and trans mounts. The info I provided is for the engine mount to install a Y with side mounts.

FTE?, Thanks, I will try and find it.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

Go back and read your post at Ford Trucks. I provided info on a cross member to use for side engine mounts.

I'm not 100% sure, but it seems that passenger car Y-blocks and FE engines use a similar mount.  If anybody in your group has an FE, you might take some measurements to see if you could make an aftermarket FE mount work.  Someone with more FE experience than me could possibly give some thoughts.