missing cross member?

[cooltoolguy]

well i took a gander under my truck and lo and behold it appears there is a missing crossmember (72 f350 mason dump 2wd) in between where the I beams? mount to the frame. it looks like there should be a crossmember there to support the supports is there one that goes there? and if so how important is it? thanks steve

[Leadfoot]

Its there for a reason and yes it is important, and on a f350 you ar nuts if you don't put it back in. Does your truck handle real funky? It should have lots of bump steer, with out It.

It was more that likely taken out by a Chevy boy when he was doing a trans swap OR clutch repair. And boy some times there a pain in the but to put back in. Thats why It gone. One tip put it in on a heavy angle towards the front and back of the truck now check or bend/pull any fuel line or brake lines out of the way, and use a big hammer to smack it in place. a screw driver or drift is needed to line the bolt holes up. remember If It bin driving around for a long time it can make it even harder, do to the bending and stress on the frame.
good luck!

[fordman]

i have one from a truck i stripped if you want it. i think its called the front trans crossmember.

[cooltoolguy]

fordman, thanks for the offer, I believe I found one at the local salvage yard, the lady there has a few old fords and there is a 150 (mid 70s) with one on it. It looks like its the same so for $10.00 I'm gonna get it this week. I hope it works. Steve

[fordman]

good deal good price

[FORDification]

Removing one in a salvage yard is gonna be very rough, because you'll have to cut or grind the heads off some factory rivets (more than likely). Hope you have a cordless grinder with a couple spare batteries. Most salvage yards won't allow torches.

[fordman]

if were talking about the same one mine was bolted on but mine was on a 78.

[FORDification]

From what I understand, some trucks did come from the factory with bolt-on crossmembers, but I don't know how that was determined. It's also possible a previous owner had to remove it for tranny service, saving you the trouble.

[frisky]

I had to put mine in after the fact, f100 71' I set it in place, at an angle as was suggested. I put a bottle jack, some blocks of wood inside each frame rail and a length of 2x4 cut to fit, a little bit of pressure from the jack was all i needed to slide it into place and then a bit of adjustment and the holes all liked up perfect.

I got some Grade 8 hardware at Tractor Supply (Ford tractors..) I think it was 7/16 x 1" and added some locktite.