'40 Rear crossmember

Hi
Is there anyway to remove the rear crossmember from a 1940 Ford frame that still has the body mounted? The easy way would be to cut the center out, but I hate to do this, since someone could probably use the crossmember. Thanks in advance.
Toolroomer

 

Do you mean remove it without destroying it? If yes, then no. But I have to ask..... why?

 

Those old rivets are a real bitch to get out even when you have the body off. Why are you trying to remove it anyway?

 

I drilled out my rivets. they were a bit of a pig to get out, but it can be done. There's also a sneaky spot weld that took some persuading. I did this with the body on.
Took mine out to pancake it as I was going to keep the stock floor at the time, tho this has since changed. Also felt more comfortable cutting it up on a bench than under the car.

 

The one under my '38 pickup is the same thing as your '40, and I don't see how it could come out without taking the bed off. I know from experience replacing the front cross member that King Henry V8 used only the finest steel for rivets, and he meant for them to stay there for all eternity.

 

No way to do it with the body on the car unless you remove the floor in the trunk area. Why take it out anyway, even if you have changed the rear suspension, the crossmember adds strength to your chassis.

 

The crossmember has to go to make room for the new quickchange, it hits the change gear housing stock. It's being rep;aced by a Model A crossmember. Oh!, the trunk floor is rusted out, soon to be replaced. Thanks for the replies.
Tool Roomer

 

I just did the same thing on my '40 pickup. No way would I try to do it with the body still on the frame. Trust me, it will bite you in the ass.

 

It shouldn't be that hard if you are cutting out the trunk floor. If you are trying to spare the crossmember you can cut the rivet heads off with a shape chissel and a heavy hamber, have fun!

 

I definately removed mine from the frame with the body on the car, so it CAN be done.
Interested in the quickie install as I will be doing this as well down the road, are you using a stock 'A' crossmember, what about the spring, uprated for the additional weight or a stocker? Would be good to know for the future. Thanks