T56 crossmember upgrade

[warrfarr]

Bought the IFS (Ingenuity Fab Speed) trans crossmember and first impressions out of the box were good, that changed when installation started. Not to bash the vendor but let’s just say attention to detail in assembly and fabrication left a lot of head scratching and repairs thanks to the time from ordering to installation. Through the process of correcting fitment issues decided to start over by redesigning and integrating the crossmember with a bit of frame stiffening thrown in for good measure.
First order of business was to correct how low the transmission was sitting when mounted to the designed location. Needed more than a 1 1/2” spacer to get the trans tucked up into the frame and at a matching 3-4 deg angle to the rear pinion angle. Decided against such a large spacer and cut off the mount bracket, moved the crossmember forward and low and behold, had the perfect height sitting on top of the crossmember. Used the cut off portion as a bottom bolt pattern for the trans mount.
Next, I wanted to correct lack of angular agreement between the trans mount and the crossmember. Used plasma cutter to cut a “U” with reliefs and welded up the dropped end of “U” cut. Translated this to bottom side. Now, the mounting location takes the preloaded stress off of the trans mount. I don’t know why I worry about this crap but I do...

[warrfarr]

Next I wanted to address potential frame twist when on the hammer. Saw an opportunity to connect the trailing arm crossmember with the transmission crossmember. Picked up some 8” x 1/4” plate to match the trailing arm gauge and started templating. Needed to take into account the exhaust, e-brake cable routing as well as installation and removal of finished assembly.
Will continue posting pics as I continue on in lockdown. :-)

[warrfarr]

With the trans sitting up on top of the crossmember and at a matching 4 deg, a big hump trans tunnel is required. The Dougs headers tuck up in the frame nicely with about 1/2” hanging down below frame rail. Rear section of transmission also hangs about 1/2” below frame. That’s the best I could get while maintaining the engine drain back and not raising the engine up any higher than the CPP engine mounts may have. Engine was moved forward only about 1 1/2”.

[SCOTI]

Looks like a clean mod & install. 1/4" material seems overkill but works.