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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Billerica, MA
Posts: 329
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Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
I'm converting to an automatic transmission and would like to run a new exhaust system between the frame rails out to the back of the truck. The front crossmember is no longer a problem since it has been removed altogether.
Do you guys think its okay to punch two 3" holes through the trailing arm crossmember? It wouldn't weaken the crossmember enough to be unsafe would it? If anyone has done this before, pictures would be nice! |
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#2 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ozawkie ks
Posts: 945
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,890
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
There are already two wide slots stamped into the crossmember that leave that area open so I doubt that cutting it would make it much weaker. I'm going to cut 4" holes, box the open side of the crossmember, and weld 4" pipe through the opening to strengthen the cut.
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#4 |
Cluster King
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Junction City, OR
Posts: 5,263
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
The only way I would do it that way is to use a piece of 3 in i.d pipe with 1/8 inch wall thickness about 2 inches wide and weld that in the hole. That would add extra strengh to the crossmember. You will have to punch a 3 1/4 hole in the crossmember. I would use a hole saw for this, so it is nice and clean.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ
Posts: 445
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
I am also curious on this subject as I am going to lower my truck - do you have to then contend with the trailing arms right after you cross through the member?
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Billerica, MA
Posts: 329
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
Oh just to clarify, I am NOT running 3" pipes. More like 2" or 2 1/4." My engine doesn't make near enough power for a dual 3" system!
![]() I just thought 3" holes would provide adequate clearance for a 2" pipe and allow it to move some with contacting the crossmember. Thanks for the info and pics so far! I like the idea of restrengthening the hole by welding a short length of pipe into it! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chickasha, OK
Posts: 182
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
Hopefully some more people will chime in on this with opinions and pics because I'm thinking about cutting a hole and welding in a peice of pipe in rather to buying one of these http://www.performanceonline.com/196...pension-19834/
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 2,075
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
It's not going to be any weaker than that aftermarket one and there are many that have done it.
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
On a street driven truck with stock type powertrain, you'll probably never know the difference.
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#10 |
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
![]() Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sterling, Va.
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
There is no problem doing that as long as you weld in a piece of pipe as stated above.
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 869
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
Any updates on guys punching out the holes with a hole saw? Would 3.5" hole be to big? I am planing on running 3" pipes.
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#12 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
I did the hole cutting thing first. Then mocked up my truck at the position I wanted it, chassis height and all including the drive shaft engine and transmission. Which convinced me to purchase the POL cross member. Buy the way, that thing is "heavy wall" steel, more so than the stock cross member.
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Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 1,166
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
Do they make large hole saws for cutting through steel like that? I would think that the cutting edge would need to be sprayed with that carbide looking stuff that you see on sawzall blades.
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Clarkston, Wa
Posts: 345
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
You would need a torqie drill that's for sure! And some Popeye forearms! I have some 3 - 4 inch wood/metal blades and a magnetic drill press that might work but would rather use a plasma and something Round as a guide
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#15 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
Take a piece of sheet metal use C-Clamps to clamp it to the back side. This will be used for keeping the hole saw center drill bit in place. Now drill your hole with the hole saw. I did it, worked great.
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Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,330
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
I did it on mine. Then I took 4" steel pipe and welded it in place to add some rigidity back to it.
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#17 |
meowMEOWmeowMEOW
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MKE WI
Posts: 7,128
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
One of the beauties of owning heavy, old trucks; you can drill a hole in almost anything and it'll be fine. My trucks gone through 3 engine combos, 3 trans types, and a few suspensions...so almost everything's had a few speed holes in it.
Like the other guys have said, a little reinforcing won't hurt (especially if your near an edge or wanting to "notch" the thing instead of go straight through). That being said, tubular crossmembers are veeery nice.
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#18 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,680
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Re: Hole saw through trailing arm crossmember, safe?
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