Cross Member Mod for exhaust?

[kizer]

I was on Early Classic and saw this. Now I'm not in need of it at the moment since I'm not planning on sitting on my frame rails or anything that extreme As well I'm running a 2-piece shaft and a Long Bed.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/Images/t...rossmember.JPG

Tired of dragging the center crossmember of your 1963-'72 GM truck? Early Classic's new Extreme Drop Center Crossmember has solved several clearance problems associated with 5" or more rear drops. Not only does our unit give your chassis 2.5" more ground clearance, it's raised center hoop design eliminates driveshaft interference on trucks with a slammed stance. This Assembly also provides exhaust passages to allow you to run 3" dual exhaust through the center of your chassis and out of harm's way. This black powder-coated beast has been engineered and fabricated from 1/4" thick Laser-cut and formed steel plate to be stronger and more functional than the factory unit it replaces.

As you have come to expect from Early Classic, this component's design also retains factory brake line, fuel line and parking brake cable passages, and is provided with all necessary Grade-8 hardware. (No cutting or welding required.)

(Note: Designed for use on short wheel-base, one-piece driveline pickups with 5" drop or more.)





My question is can you enlarge a hole near the outer edges of the factory cross member to run exhaust though? Maybe even connect the front and rear pieces of the the cross member for additional support? Or are you taking a chance tinkering with the cross member?