Topic: Crossmember Relocation

[Kyle20r4spd]

So, the swap is nearly complete but for the cross member, when going from the L43 to a W56 can I just flip the cross member around? Or do I have to relocate the mounts completely? Getting anxious to get going

[OOPS]

Try it and see if it will work is my answer to this!!!!

[Rocksurfer]

On my 80 it was required to move the crossmember back. This was done by welding ubolts in.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Welding U-Bolts? How would that work, the U-Bolt clamps around the frame?

[Rocksurfer]

I used to have some pics of it but yes basically you weld the u bolts to the frame hanging them over the frame.

[toyodaaddict]

I think ubolts are a good way to go. Iv set up 2 first gen trucks with w56's. one has dual cases and a bud built budb crossmember and the other has stock case and stock crossmember.  I used ubolts over the frame (not welded) on both trucks. Iv  never had an issue.

[BigMike]

When I got my truck the previous owner had swapped in a W56B and used u-bolts to mount the cross member. The bolts do not need to be welded to the frame if you don't want to. The bolts on my truck were not and it made it easier to R&R the cross member when needed.

I actually have a recent picture of this, hang on a second...

Ok here we go:


I did this back in Spring '08 to get me around town for a few days while I was in between Rock Crawling (low profile) cross members. The u-bolts shown are our regular leaf spring u-bolts, which are the wrong size, so I built those silly plates to pinch the cross member in place.

The proper method to do this would be to measure the bolt pattern of your cross member and use that to source the correct u-bolts. They should fit pretty snug around the frame. Then trim excess length of each bolt to minimize the possibility of damaging the threads over some rocks.

BigMike

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Thanks guys I will have to track down some U-bolts then. Got my flywheel bolts and a torque wrench going out right now to get the re-assembly going.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Alright! Just found 4 matching U-bolts that are really close to the right size, just need to open up the holes on the crossmember a bit so they will fit, but good progress is being made.

[Rocksurfer]

When I got my truck the previous owner had swapped in a W56B and used u-bolts to mount the cross member. The bolts do not need to be welded to the frame if you don't want to. The bolts on my truck were not and it made it easier to R&R the cross member when needed.

I actually have a recent picture of this, hang on a second...

Ok here we go:


I did this back in Spring '08 to get me around town for a few days while I was in between Rock Crawling (low profile) cross members. The u-bolts shown are our regular leaf spring u-bolts, which are the wrong size, so I built those silly plates to pinch the cross member in place.

The proper method to do this would be to measure the bolt pattern of your cross member and use that to source the correct u-bolts. They should fit pretty snug around the frame. Then trim excess length of each bolt to minimize the possibility of damaging the threads over some rocks.

BigMike

Thanks Mike, couldn't find my old pics. I did weld mine in just because. Don't forget to trim them.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Got it, don't need long overhang to snag, and in my opinion it just looks kind of sloppy or unfinished no offense mike

[Rocksurfer]

Yeah mine was very clean looking, you couldn't really tell that they were u bolts if you didn't look. I also did not use the plates like he did. I'll have to dig in my computer at home and try to find them.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Yeah, I have plates but the U-bolt fits through the holes in the crossmember so the plates aren't there to pinch it on they will just add more surface area for the nuts to tighten up on. The crossmember will get almost sandwiched between the plate and the frame.

[Rocksurfer]

Found them!

Wow now that I see how it was done it brought it all back. Only one u bolt was required each side, the rear bolt mounts became the front bolt mounts and then a u bolt is added to secure the rear. My truck was a long bed, don't think that matters though. Don't worry about the crossmember shown it was a modified dual case that I picked up. It was changed so that a single case could be used.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Thanks for the pic it shows more of the situation that I'm in. Only two of the original bolt holes work and then what do you do with the back, this picture is perfect

[Rocksurfer]

This was a modified dual case crossmember for a single case, a stock crossmember is and was a lot easier. Basically there was no mod to the stock crossmember at all, the mount points remained the same when I switched out the stock crossmember but I had to alter the dual case crossmember to fit the single case.