TTB/Engine Crossmember Removal

[CodePoet]

This questions doesn't seem to fit perfectly anywhere but I thought this was the best place...if a mod wants to move it go ahead.

Anyway, most of yall know i'm in the process of putting a 79 HP D44 in the front of the explorer. I need to remove the engine crossmember to make way for a newer MUCH lower profile one (i'll have to build that myself). The question is...how is that x-member held in? I've drilled the heads off all the rivits that held the spring buckets on, still have to get the remainder of those rivits out, but do those hold the engine x-member in as well? Or is it welded (seems unlikely to me). Just wondering, I dont' have a sawzall (yet) and would rather get it out in one piece anyhow! Help if ya can

The axle needs to be moved WAY up in this pic but ya see how bulky that pos crossmember is. I have to get it out to keep the overall height to a minimum

 

[90ranajo]

Only some of the spring bucket rivets hold it. There are several more per side that are either a PITA to get to, or impossible to get to. It also has a couple a weld beads on the inside too. The easier ways would be to either hack it out in pieces or make a cut on either side of the x-member on the frame and pull it out that way.

 

[CodePoet]

can never be easy can it LOL

I may just try to hack it out flush with the insides of the frame rails then. Not what I really wanted to go through but no pain no gain right!

 

[410Fortune]

a grinder will make short work of it from there, if you pull the engine

 

[CodePoet]

haha yeah with the engine out it would be cake. I don't think i feel like taking pullin it just to cut out this crossmember though haha.

I may pull the engine for a light rebuild in the next couple years...HOPEFULLY i'll have my swap done by then hahaha

 

[Dre]

how are going to stiffen the frame under the engine once you remove the brace? have you thought about that?

 

[CodePoet]

how are going to stiffen the frame under the engine once you remove the brace? have you thought about that?

Sure I have thought about that. I'm going to make a crossmember out of 2x4 rect. stock to replace the factory crossmember. I'm not in anyway going to leave it out. I do want it to be removable as my goal is to have everthing for my sas bolt in . I may do some extra stiffening in that area as well but I won't be sure until I get it out and get a good look at the situation.