Be gentle, I'm fragile...

[Tice]

So, I needed a new crossmember/skid plate for my 85, but I am cheap. So I decided that I would make one.   so after almost 4 weeks I got it on the truck. It really only took about 4 hours . I still haven't started the skid plate. It will bolt up where the factory cross member bolts and sit just under the trans/t-case. I know it doesn't look that great and i still need to gusset the cross member itself. And fix my welder to finish welding the mounts to the frame. Oh and re-route the exhaust. So other than that what do you guys/girls think?  Also not sure how well the poly bushing are going to work, we'll see.

[Tice]

Crap!!! I think I put this in the wrong forum.   Can someone move it!!?

[MiniSimp]

Looks rather familiar.

I hope you used longer grade 8 bolts.

[79coyotefrg]

looks good,  yep wrong spot

[Tice]

Looks rather familiar.

I hope you used longer grade 8 bolts.

Exactly 3/8 inch longer!!! Same thicknees as the plate.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Nah this isnt in the wrong spot.  Its a drivetrain mod right?  It can stay here.  Looks pretty good, myself Id have bought the center from FROR for a whopping $54 or whatever it is now and built off that.  But there is something to be said about doing something yourself.

[Tice]

myself Id have bought the center from FROR for a whopping $54 or whatever it is now and built off that. But there is something to be said about doing something yourself.

I did say I was cheap!!!!   I thought about that, but figured it would be a little easier just doing it all.

[kneedownnate]

Nah this isnt in the wrong spot.  Its a drivetrain mod right?  It can stay here.  Looks pretty good, myself Id have bought the center from FROR for a whopping $54 or whatever it is now and built off that.  But there is something to be said about doing something yourself.

WHAT?!  Are you frickin crazy man?  Sick maybe?  WT sayin he just woulda bought something rather than build it!!  You aint right boy!!!

[BigMike]

Nice Work

[WHITE_TRASH]

Yea I know Im the guy that builds everything but the reason I do that is because most thing on the open market dont perform as Id like or are made differently than I would.  Thats why I build my junk.  But on something like that where Id get in a hurry and get the holes off and have to egg them for it to fit correctly its worth my sanity to just pony up the cash. 

[crawlerdan]

it looks like the one that i made, made mine with a laser cutter, and, um, i copied a budbuilt one, so.....looks good

[Tice]

  But on something like that where Id get in a hurry and get the holes off and have to egg them for it to fit correctly 

how did you know I did that???   I actually did have one hole off, so I welded it up and re-drilled the hole!!

it looks like the one that i made, made mine with a laser cutter, and, um, i copied a budbuilt one, so.....looks good

How did you make the mounts on the frame? What did you use for bushings? Any pics?

[crawlerdan]

how did you know I did that???   I actually did have one hole off, so I welded it up and re-drilled the hole!!

How did you make the mounts on the frame? What did you use for bushings? Any pics?

i used 2.5 angle iron, and gm transfer case bushings as bushings at the frame, ill post pics tonight

[*FFC*]

WHAT?!  Are you frickin crazy man?  Sick maybe?  WT sayin he just woulda bought something rather than build it!!  You aint right boy!!!

That's what I was thinkin 

[Tice]

i used 2.5 angle iron, and gm transfer case bushings as bushings at the frame, ill post pics tonight

Pics would be cool man.

[crawlerdan]

Pics would be cool man.

ill post em tonight captain impateint--hehehehe

[crawlerdan]

heres some pics for your veiwing pleaseure, what you are veiwing is dual cases with twin sticks, a 4.7 gear ihn the rear, a crossmember and skid plate that where made in a fab shop i used to work at    

[Tice]

So I got the exhaust back together and fired it, (I actually left my C.B. on since last sat!!!, but the Optima was still holding charge )and the damn thing vibrates so much it'll make any girl happy!!!!   I think I need to get rid of the poly bushing and go with rubber. Crawlerdan, what year and what trans( auto or manual) did you use? Thanks

[Rocksurfer]

So I got the exhaust back together and fired it, (I actually left my C.B. on since last sat!!!, but the Optima was still holding charge )and the damn thing vibrates so much it'll make any girl happy!!!!   I think I need to get rid of the poly bushing and go with rubber. Crawlerdan, what year and what trans( auto or manual) did you use? Thanks

The mount I just modified mounted at the stock location but it was a little off and was touching the tunnel just enough to vibrate like crazy. Check to mak sure it is not touching anywhere and if it is move it down until it clears and if that is where the problem is that should fix it.

[Tice]

The mount I just modified mounted at the stock location but it was a little off and was touching the tunnel just enough to vibrate like crazy. Check to mak sure it is not touching anywhere and if it is move it down until it clears and if that is where the problem is that should fix it.

It's not touching anywhere, I have some rubber bushing I'm going to try tonight. I don't really care about the vibration to much, I just don't like the fact the the mount has no flex in them. I'm worried that something will break when I'm in low with the monsterous touge output of the squirrel's trys to move the drivetrain!!!