Technical Universal fit transmission crossmember question

Why would Trans Dapt make a point about these crossmembers being for open channel frames? Why couldn't they be used on a box section frame? http://www.tdperformance.com/Universal-Fit-Transmission-Crossmembers

I don't know much about frames or metal work, so maybe I'm misunderstanding the terminology, but by open section they mean something that would be shaped like a C or other open form if you looked at the end, correct? Why couldn't I use this on my frame, which has a cross section that is shaped like a rectangular box?

 

Mostly because of the way the ends of the cross member work is so that it can be bolted into the frame. You can use it it on what ever you like, but if you have and box section frame you would need to weld in mounting nuts into the side of the frame to retain the bolt in feature, or drill through both side of the frame weld in tubing between the inner and outer portions of the frame rail for bolt sleeves and use long bolts, or just weld it solid and not be able to remove it. I wouldn't recommend welding it solid as taking the trans out if and when needed will really be a pain in the ***.

 

I would say that you could.
Asking them directly would get you their answer and that's what you're asking-
"Why would Trans dapt make a point "

 

I would of thought it to be to long, if the frame is boxed the crossmember needs to be shorter ?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

you have to cut the crossmember shorter to fit many frames, anyways.

Jason has it right.

 

I thought those cross members were adjustable or am I thinking of another crossmember Tom

 

Universal fit -
Cut to fit adjusted and then a little fudge factor. Once it's installed and the ends are welded on its no longer adjustable

 

Thanks for all the answers. What would the sleeves, as mentioned by Nailhead, do? Do they support the bolts? Doesn't seem necessary, since the bolts that p***ed through both sides of the frame rails wouldn't be all that long. I'm too lazy to go out to the garage, but I think the rails are only about 2" wide. I don't see what's wrong with simple drilling holes through both sides of the rail and putting bolts through it. :dunno:

 

The sleeves are part of the "universal" design. The crossmember tube slips into the ends that bolt to the frame. that gives you a few inches of frame width adjustment from the get go. If the frame is too narrow for it to fit you shorten the ends of the crossmember enough so the ends set right on the frame rails (or the tabs you weld to the frame rails) and after getting everything lined up you weld the ends to the center section to make one piece. I've done both engine and trans crossmembers that way and it is a real simple no nonsense process. I guess if you don't have a welder or welding skills you could drill though both the end (sleeve) and center pieces and stick a bolt though them. Most guys put them in place fit them up, tack them in a few spots and then pull them out to weld up on the welding table.
A piece of decent thickness angle iron the same length as the width of the end welded to the frame would give you a spot to mount that universal crossmember. You could cut those out, drill the holes to bolt it to the ends of the crossmember, line everything up in place, weld the angle to the frame and tack up the crossmember so you can weld it up and then pull the crossmember and do all the finish welding. Then you have a bolt in crossmember the simple way.

 

The sleeves nailhead refers to would keep the rails from collapsing when the bolts are tightened.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using The H.A.M.B. mobile app