Exhaust routing

[cheford]

I was wondering if any of you have run your exhaust through the stock crossmember that the trailing arms attach to. I'm going to be running 2 1/2 " pipes and was thinking of running it through this crossmember. If I cut a big enough opening to do this is the crossmember strong enough or will I need to box it? If any of you have done this could you share a picture or direct me to someone who has done it, please and thanks.
John

[6772owner]

Quite a few members have done this, they usually use heavy wall round pipe welded to the crossmember to create the round holes for exhaust. You can also buy crossmembers already set up to do this, I prefer the one from Early Classic Enterprises or Porterbuilt (depending on your direction)

[gringoloco]

Check out my build thread (linked below). I cut holes with no reinforcement- been running this way for years with no issues...
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[outlawz916]

hmm that looks quite tempting to just cut holes without reinforcing, has anyone else done it without problems?

[Portmod7]

Here is what mine looks like. No reinforcement. Neither Early Classic nor CPP reinforces theirs (although cpp's is built a little different), and to me it didn't really seem like I was getting rid of enough to worry about it. These are 3" holes to run 2.5" exhaust through.

[wagonslayer]

just did this a few days ago.

[derotoreut]

Wow. I was just thinking about this. It was recommended that I not cut the rear crossmember. Now that I see this it really makes me wonder. I may try this.