Fabricating Rear Frame Crossmember?

[Jahloha]

Well my grandfather had some coworkers custom make him a beast of a hitch when the truck was new. They cut through the rear cross member, which I am now ready to remove and replace.

Rather then buy a replacement from ECE, my neighbor welds for a living and figured he could whip something up for me to replace this with.

Should I be concerned with this though process? Do I need to tell him anything specific?

I know the x-member doesnt serve any structural purpose, but wanted to run it pass all of you first.

Appreciate the help!

[merlin3]

i took 2 lengths of 2 inch angle iron and welded them back to back,drilled holes in both ends and bolted it on it took under a hour after waiting 2 months for a welder to make one.it is kinda shaped like a Z but straight.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by merlin3

i took 2 lengths of 2 inch angle iron and welded them back to back,drilled holes in both ends and bolted it on it took under a hour after waiting 2 months for a welder to make one.it is kinda shaped like a Z but straight.

If you get a chance, would love a pic.

So it only bolts up on the top side of the frame?

[merlin3]

it bolts to the top and bottom,sorry bad pic

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

If you get a chance, would love a pic.

So it only bolts up on the top side of the frame?

I like merlin3's crossmember. I'd advise you to get your new tank and test fit it on the old crossmember, then remove the old crossmember and install the new one. Keep in mind different tanks have different retention systems. Also, if your new tank bolts on like the one in the pic below, and if you use merlin3's style cross-member, position the Z like it needs to be to fit your straps. Merlin3's is backwards for this style tank strap. Again, different tanks, different retention systems. I believe some use front to back straps like in this picture, some side to side.

And you can see from the pic merlin3's bolts up to the top and bottom like the factory one. I'd use at least as many fine threaded grade 8 bolts as the original one used forged hot rivets.

That way you know what you have to have and where it needs to be. The straps that hold in some tanks need to be in a certain spot to fit. Example:

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by merlin3

it bolts to the top and bottom,sorry bad pic

Looks awesome, thanks Merlin! Will be doing this after sandblasting is complete.

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

I like merlin3's crossmember. I'd advise you to get your new tank and test fit it on the old crossmember, then remove the old crossmember and install the new one. Keep in mind different tanks have different retention systems. Also, if your new tank bolts on like the one in the pic below, and if you use merlin3's style cross-member, position the Z like it needs to be to fit your straps. Merlin3's is backwards for this style tank strap. Again, different tanks, different retention systems. I believe some use front to back straps like in this picture, some side to side.

And you can see from the pic merlin3's bolts up to the top and bottom like the factory one. I'd use at least as many fine threaded grade 8 bolts as the original one used forged hot rivets.

That way you know what you have to have and where it needs to be. The straps that hold in some tanks need to be in a certain spot to fit. Example:

Totally understand. I will be going with a Boyds most likely, side to side mounting.