4x4 ls mount

[hilljob26]

does anyone have a 4x4 motor mount for a 5.3 ls engine they are installing or will be..I cant find them anywhere.I can build one,,but I would rather see if someone had one made that they werent using that I could use as a template to make a jig.Its always easier to call someone and order one then it is tryin to figure it all out..I wont make it exactly like what you have,,but it will be close..any chance someone would be willin to do that.I will pay for you shipping it to me and me shipping it back to you

[hilljob26]

proly should have put this in the lsx swap section..mods feel free to move it if you need to

[Firebirdjones]

Rather than hack on the original engine cross member I elected to use Pacific Fabrications crossmember and mounts.

Worked slick and dropped right in with enough clearance for the differential and stock lift.

[hilljob26]

do you have any pics of it

[Firebirdjones]

Yep, here are a couple shot of it mounted on the engine for a trial fit.




And here are a couple shots of it mounted in the blazer for a trial fit.




I liked the fact that it uses the 73 and up style engine mount, and you can opt for rubber or poly. It also has some adjustability built into it to allow the engine to shift side to side and up and down. I also liked the fact that it bolted to the sides of the frame rather than top and bottom like the stock crossmember,,,much easier to deal with in my opinion.
Not exactly a cheap way to go but it allowed me to keep the stock cross member with the original engine,,,and it was a drop in deal that save me hours of fab work since I was on a tight schedule. I had to fab enough crap as it was to get an LS engine in there

[Kool K5]

I didn't see it on their website. How much was that cross member?

Evan

[Firebirdjones]

I believe I paid right around $300 with the upgraded poly mounts. It's about $30-$40 cheaper with rubber mounts.

I'm not sure it's listed on the site but they still make it,,,I bought mine about a year and half ago. They have redesigned it a couple times,,,,mine being the newest design.

I think previous designs had issues clearing the front diff with a stock height 4x4 (which mine is) But this new design clears nicely.

[hilljob26]

i sent them an email so i guess i shall see

[Kool K5]

300 bucks really isn't too bad. That will be going on my wish list.

Evan

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Kool K5

300 bucks really isn't too bad. That will be going on my wish list.

Evan

No it's really not when you think about it.

I contemplated making one. I would have used tubing since I have a tube bender it makes it a logical choice, then I'd have to cut the mounts out of plate and take the engine in and out several times, plus buying the steel to make it all.

When you think about shop labor rates per hour (my time is worth something) plus buying the metal and the headaches,,,$300 was cheap to buy one done and forget about it. I would have had 2-3 days of time invested in making my own

For those that don't have welders, tube benders, torches, and other equipment needed to fab something like this then this crossmember sounds even sweeter.

[hilljob26]

they sent me a pic of theirs,,399.99 but to me it looks underbuilt,,it looks like they lasered out sides,and filled in the bottom,,as if it were a tray,,seems like dirt and stuff would get stuck up therejust doesnt look like a 400 dollar part...sooner or later i will get one figured out

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by hilljob26

they sent me a pic of theirs,,399.99 but to me it looks underbuilt,,it looks like they lasered out sides,and filled in the bottom,,as if it were a tray,,seems like dirt and stuff would get stuck up therejust doesnt look like a 400 dollar part...sooner or later i will get one figured out

The pic is misleading I'd say. It's a stout piece, probably weighs 50 lbs.

Nothing will get stuck in there,,,,it has oblong holes placed along the bottom,,,somewhat decerative, but they serve a purpose as well. You just can't see them in the pic you have there,,,but I think one of my pics may have shown that.

You won't be dissappointed. It's the only thing out their on the market right now that actually fits and clears the front diff on a stock lift (important in my case as raising mine is out of the question)

[SamMargritz00]

if you'd like i can maybe snag a picture this evening of my homemade one so it can give you ideas if you go down the road of making your own. just a thought.

[mcmlxix]

I wish the lower crossmember was removable like the square body ones they offfer... I decided to make my own and hope to start in a couple weeks. I already have some motor plates cut out...

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

I wish the lower crossmember was removable like the square body ones they offfer... I decided to make my own and hope to start in a couple weeks. I already have some motor plates cut out...

Technically it's removable and bolts in just like the stock crossmember. If you mean somehow removing just the center section,,,,,I had thought about that, and it's actually very easy to do if you really wanted it. Simply cut it, make some plate, box it in for some strength and bolt it back together.

And that last part is why I decided against that. I figured bolting it together would loose alot of it's inherent strength so I left well enough alone. I also didn't feel all that safe removing just a center section with an engine still sitting in there,,,,and if you removed the engine,,,,then,,,well,,,the cross member comes out easy enough as is anyway. I really don't see a need for it either. If I have to remove the oil pan,,,the engine is coming out anyway.

[niceguy678us]

I bought the DIY4x version and modified it a little bit. Check out the build thread.