Tighter Engine Crossmember - less lift height required

[CFMi]

Hey guys,
I've been playing around with a little different HD Engine Crossmember drop-out center section. I wanted to make something that would offer a little more clearance to the front axle pumpkin so that it requires a little less lift height (the standard one requires about 4" lift or more). I've had numerous people ask about something like this over the years.

Here's a pic of the current thought:

This design would keep the same outer "triangles" but replace the original fabricated center piece with a tubular style design that will hug tighter to the oil pan and not come as far forward. And it will still keep the track bar mount (can leave that off as well if not needed)

I still need to get a 3D scan of the entire engine bay of my late 70's truck at stock height to see if it's possible to make a HD crossmember for no lift and an LS engine. But that's coming later.

-Darren

 

[Bent77]

 

[ktmoutfront]

Interesting. That is what I did with mine. Got rid of the bulk. Used a section of hitch material for the cross brace.

 

[mrk5]

I don't know if it would work with your crossmember, but in my truck being able remove the crossmember and leave the motor mount brackets in place is a huge benefit for pulling the oil pan.

 

[CFMi]

I don't know if it would work with your crossmember, but in my truck being able remove the crossmember and leave the motor mount brackets in place is a huge benefit for pulling the oil pan.

That's one of the main reasons I developed these - although mine replaces the motor mount "triangles" upon installation, the center piece does drop out for oil pan access. ALL of my versions of this crossmember, even the very first prototype years ago had this feature

 

[thatK30guy]

Hey guys,
I've been playing around with a little different HD Engine Crossmember drop-out center section. I wanted to make something that would offer a little more clearance to the front axle pumpkin so that it requires a little less lift height (the standard one requires about 4" lift or more). I've had numerous people ask about something like this over the years.

Here's a pic of the current thought:
View attachment 375615

This design would keep the same outer "triangles" but replace the original fabricated center piece with a tubular style design that will hug tighter to the oil pan and not come as far forward. And it will still keep the track bar mount (can leave that off as well if not needed)

I still need to get a 3D scan of the entire engine bay of my late 70's truck at stock height to see if it's possible to make a HD crossmember for no lift and an LS engine. But that's coming later.

-Darren

How about just a flat piece tying to the side pieces? Or even make it all one piece for the lower member. Utilizing a flat stock will net even more clearance both on top and bottom since you'd gain more for pan clearance and the bottom will still allow more room compared to the previous design. Just eliminate that rounded corner stock and replace it with flat iron either nut and bolt to the side pieces or all one piece with proper bends.

 

[thatK30guy]

I'd definitely be interested in purchasing this mount if you could design it like I explained above.

 

[CFMi]

How about just a flat piece tying to the side pieces? Or even make it all one piece for the lower member. Utilizing a flat stock will net even more clearance both on top and bottom since you'd gain more for pan clearance and the bottom will still allow more room compared to the previous design. Just eliminate that rounded corner stock and replace it with flat iron either nut and bolt to the side pieces or all one piece with proper bends.

Having just a simple flat plate to tie the crossmember sides together would not have very much strength - the factory crossmember has more structural integrity than that would yield. With a heavy engine pushing down on the sides (where the motor mounts are) it wants to bend that center crossmember, so a formed piece of plate (with vertical stiffeners) or a piece of tube is MUCH stronger and can resist that bending motion better. I know there are "other guys" that are producing something like you describe (even for a Duramax!!!!) but that's not a design I feel is strong enough for these trucks, and I think there will be problems with those down the road.

-Darren