automatic crossmember removal?

[Leftlane]

Working on a '71 shortbed.
Preping the frame for the sandblaster, and I'm going with a tubular tranny xmember for my 2004r.
I've got the original unbolted and can slide it back and forth.
Can't figure out how to remove it from the frame short of cutting it.
There's very little side play to clear the upper/lower frame lips, and it won't clear diagonally to angle it out.
What's the secret?
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[WIDESIDE72]

All of the auto trans crossmembers I have removed came out with a little help from the BFH. If you are removing the engine mid mount from a six cyl truck you will have to grind and remove the rivets holding the upper and lower pieces to each other or cut it with a torch.
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[kaycee]

Yep big ol hammer time

[Leftlane]

I just went out and measured.
In order for that xmember to clear diagonally, that frame would need to flex out somewhere around an inch and a quarter or more.
Is that even possible (or do I even want it to be)?
That would need to happen between the front suspension and rear spring xmembers.
Seems like a lot of movement in that distance.
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[cdowns]

if you clamp a two by four in one side of the frame to prevent the crossmember on that side from slipping and just wack the other side of the crossmember with the BFH and gusto it comes right out

[pritch]

If your front end crossmember is out, the one with the motor mounts, you can use a jack and a piece of 4x4 or something to spread the frame rails enough. At least, that's how I got my stock automatic X-member back in so I wouldn't risk scratching my powdercoating. I don't think I would have tried that if the motor mount X-member was in and bolted up, though. I don't know how that tubular X-member mounts back in, but it's something to think about.