C20 extra bracing really now needed?
 

I am looking at how to tuck the exhaust up into the frame. I see alot of people cut holes in their trailing arm crossmembers to allow routing the pupes thru the crossmember. My problem is my crossmember has additional bracing infront of it, right where the tubes would run. Since this is going to be a cruiser and not pulling any heavy loads I am wondering if I can cut it out with out any real consequences. (Rear end has also already been changed out to a 12 bolt while converting to 5-lug.

This is the brace I am talking about.

Re: C20 extra bracing really now needed?
 

I would think it will be fine.

Re: C20 extra bracing really now needed?
 

crossmembers and bracing serve different purposes. crossmembers connect the frame rails - that brace helps prevent frame flexing out of square. not a helpful answer other than to highlight that cutting a hole in a crossmember is entirely different from removing bracing.

Re: C20 extra bracing really now needed?
 

If you have a welder and the available tubing.

You could cut the hole and cut the brace and weld the brace to a pipe bigger than the exhaust tube to strengthen the frame.

Make sure to add holes to vent so the heat soak is not an issue.

Here is a poor SketchUp to try to explain.

Attachment 2276751

Just an Idea:ito::chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: C20 extra bracing really now needed?
 

I guess if C/10s don't have this brace you would be ok. But you could always do what Gitter suggested or make a gusset that allows clearance for pipes