77machomopar

The diagonal piece that goes from the op of the frame to the crossmember support on the passenger side. If that was removed would there be any issues of the crossmember not holding the wieght? The remaining bolts would be replaced with grade 8 and lock nuts. thanks

Trebor

I believe those upper brackets were designed to add controlled flexibility between the frame and the crossmember. The added brackets allow the crossmember to return to it's original location after the frame flexes and returns to its resting position by providing more contact points with less wear per contact point. Think of it in term of stress - load - wear distribution.

fozzy

I pulled mine out to make my 4" exhaust fit easily, fabricating a replacement is on my to do list.

EClancy

while we are on this topic and in this area of the truck.......does out transfer case just bolt to the back of the trans, and thats all that holds it, or is there something else giving additional support....such as a crossmember and/or bracket??

77machomopar

there is a braket the goes form the crossmember to the t-case its only held by 2 bolts on each side. 9/16 inch bolts i believe.

77machomopar

So do you all think that it is still strong enough to hold the t-case and trans. without any issues.?

BC847

Trooperthorn

I do not think I would do it. If you think about all the torque (twist) put on the frame. All if it is held to the truck frame through the under engine crossmember and the tcase member. without the upper brace, I would not worry about the bolts so much as I would be concernes with bending and fatiguing the lower lip of the c-channel. With the upper brace you have a box. Without it you have < 1/8 inch sheet metal overlapping and bolted to < 1/8 inch sheet metal. I think it will eventually fail.

77machomopar

Thats what i was worried about i didnt know how strong the C-channel was when jsut supporting on 1 lip.

Ilikebikes

I haven't had the diagonal crossmember support (just the passenger side) on my truck for a few thousand miles now. No problems at all. I figure that if something does go wrong I can just fab up a better one.

77machomopar

since my frame is a 1/2 ton frame will that make any strength differences or are they the same?

Ilikebikes

Not sure on frame differences, but it would be pretty easy to beef up the frame in the mounting area with a little bit of plate.

Trebor

If Chrysler Corp could have saved $10 per truck by eliminating the brace brackets without encountering any engineering difficulties you can bet your lunch they would have done so. If it doesn't fit because of exhaust interference then you need to look at modifying your exhaust and not your crossmember braces.

77machomopar

i was kicking the idea around about taking it out for the exhaust to fit better but i dont want to compromise the frames structural integrity.

Trooperthorn

It shouldn't be that hard to fab/modify that member to add a little bit of room. You just need something to tie the top of the rail, the bottom, and the crossmember into a triangle.