Tranny crossmember opinions

[RRR18]

Those of you that have changed your tranny crossmembers to aftermarket ones...Could you post the goods and bads of what you've changed to. Wanting to know if they are really "direct replacements" or you gotta drill holes and add tranny mount etc. Some pics would be cool too. Was lookin at the CPP one.?! Thanks

[Lloyd C.]

Can't help you on the tranny crossmember, but I bought all my suspension and brake components for my slammed 68 stepside from CPP and had absolutely no complaints.

[C10_ustacould]

I used the ECE crossmember seems perfect so far... didn't have to re-drill any holes or anything just bolted in.

[1971_402]

I have the CPP Tubular and it just bolted on with no mods

[oldno7]

so this is the dumb question of the day our trucks did come with turbo 400 and 350 and three on trees trannys do the tranny crossmembers all mount in the same location in the frame or do they all move just a bit for ex mine had the 3 speed but im wanting the 400

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by oldno7

so this is the dumb question of the day our trucks did come with turbo 400 and 350 and three on trees trannys do the tranny crossmembers all mount in the same location in the frame or do they all move just a bit for ex mine had the 3 speed but im wanting the 400

3spds on the column had a smaller x-member farther toward the front vs the 'traditional' automatic style x-member (like around the bellhousing). I'm pretty sure the auto-trans x-members were the same for all types (glide, th350, & th400). They were just moved fore/aft on the frame to accomodate the different lengths. Once 4spds were introduced into the mix, the heftier weight meant they needed the same style auto trans x-member.

I like the ECE x-member vs the other tubular style because they attach to the top & bottom flanges of the frame like the stock units did. I feel this offers more rigidity.

I've used the ECE x-member in a 68 chassis & the holes even lined up on the frame rails using a Porterbuilt front x-member & 700r4 combo. I also just swapped one into my 89 dually w/a bbc/th400 & the holes lined up w/the later frame as well.

[oldno7]

so is thier any perticular reason to switch to a diff crossmember over stock or is it kinda a tubular thing i dont relly see any advantage over stock

[C10_ustacould]

For me, the key was exhaust clearance. ECE cross-member combined with the ECE trailing arm cross-member allows the exhaust to be tucked up into the frame for lowered trucks.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BucksSS

For me, the key was exhaust clearance. ECE cross-member combined with the ECE trailing arm cross-member allows the exhaust to be tucked up into the frame for lowered trucks.

Exactly.

The way the factory automatic trans x-member is set-up doesn't leave much room to go above. When you route under the x-member, the exhaust becomes an area of concern w/mild to moderate drops; especially if you're running larger diameter pipe.

Of course, the header/manifold configuration has to be taken in to account as well. Full length truck headers tend to hang low so exhaust routed under the x-member is about right. Shorter (3/4 length) headers, car headers, or manifolds can usually get away w/the exhaust higher up in the chassis.