Shoebox rear crossmember

Getting ready to put the frame back under the body on my 51 ford. I have searched and PM'd a bunch of people and get conflicting answers. My question is when I lay the car out will I have to notch the crossmember for the drive shaft to clear it? If it is in the way how important is the rear crossmember? Could I just remove it since the notch has a bridge across it for frame support? Please don't be to crude this is my first attempt at putting together a car. Thanks so much for the input in advance guys!

 

I notched mine...kept it in place. I also had to raise my driveshaft hump because I sat my engine [sbc] high enough to clear my tie rod/drag link

 

Thanks man. I think I will have to do the same. Using a sbf with jamco mounts. They look to sit up pretty high.

 

I cut mine out.

 

Thats what I am probally going to end up doing. Seems like the bridge will sturdy up the frame fine in the rear.

 

Use a tape measure. Put your wheels on the rear end and measure how high the top of the yoke is. That will be what the top of your tunnel needs to clear when it's bottomed out. If it's like my 50, you will need to raise the tunnel.

 

Yea I did that and looks like I am going to have to raise it as well. Going to just remove this crossmember all together and raise the tunnel once the body is back on and I have checked for tranny clearance as well. Thanks man.

 

Had to notch mine also, and mine doesnt quite lay frame

 

Thanks man. My 51 just lays frame when the bags are pancaked. So just a good days work to fix all the tunnel and crossmember. Sweet ride!

 

thanks homie!