Flat like Saskatchewan

[DirtyComanche]

This was a no brainer. I needed a flat belly. And a skid or two. Besides, while stock tranny crossmembers are cheap, they just don't hold up...

 

 

 

So, I started by buying some steel.

 

 

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I was at over $100 by the time I got out of there. But the plate was only about $50. Which wasn't bad seeing as they have to cut it out with the plasma table which totally messes their scheduling.

 

 

It's only 10g, or 1/8" if you will. But I can work with it.

 

 

The frist step was to get my current crossmember out... While that shouldn't be hard, I don't have a decent jack to lift my tranny with the front end up in the air (new shocks, er getting to it.) So it involved a lot of swearing. That and I locked the bolts that hold it in place with the lincoln... Eventually it came out.

 

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Of course, I also welded my tranny crossmember on. I just never seem to have the right bolts... Oh yeah, it's ghetto.

 

 

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Finially can throw this one out!

 

 

Then I started mock-up. And pretty much the $#!& hit the fan right away.

 

 

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But it fit.

 

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Then I realized the ghetto tranny mount couldn't be re-used. I had zero clearance (see the rubbing - there's a LOT more) and it was now going to mount the tranny 1/2" higher!

 

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So I took the ghetto mount... And stole the bushings because they cost me $20.

 

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Cut, drilled, tacked up a new one. This one is way better.

 

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Yeah, I know the bushing sleeves are different lengths - they're scrap exhaust tubing.

 

 

Then welded on a new crossmember for the mount.... And WARPED IT TO $#!&!

 

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Which is entirely because I'm an idiot.

 

 

 

Anyways, I pressed on and ribbed the front skid, then got some paint on it. It warped really bad in the end and I'm not very happy with it. I can remake it later if it is a problem.

[CWLONGSHOT]

Nice idea and write up!!

 

I have always been amazed at the amount metal will move when heat is applied!!!

 

back when I did my rock rails. I tacked them to the :frame" and went back and welded short maybe 1/2 welds to minamize the warpage. By the time I got to the center, it was away from the frame by almost an inch!!!

 

I was luky, my hilift was able to compress it bact to position and now no one would know. But iuts just amazing how it moves!!

 

GOOD JOB!!

 

CW

[JeepcoMJ]

Nice idea and write up!!

 

I have always been amazed at the amount metal will move when heat is applied!!!

 

back when I did my rock rails. I tacked them to the :frame" and went back and welded short maybe 1/2 welds to minamize the warpage. By the time I got to the center, it was away from the frame by almost an inch!!!

 

I was luky, my hilift was able to compress it bact to position and now no one would know. But iuts just amazing how it moves!!

 

GOOD JOB!!

 

CW

 

a good rule of thumb when welding is to do a small stretch, then go weld as far away from that stretch as you can...and just keep doing that. and sometimes, you just have to weld for 5 min and walk away for an hour if you want it done right