Hot Rods 33/34 front crossmember depth

Looking at buying a crossmember for my 34 coupe. Anyone got the measurements of a standard crossmember so I can check if the one Im looking at is standard height or lowered? 90mm is 3 1/2 inches.

Even better if someone has an aftermarket lowered one they could check that would be splendid.

 

Pete: I used to always buy my 33/34 front cross members from P&J's. I think they got them from TCI and they were 1 inch lower than stock. They looked just like the one above

 

Thanks as always Gary. Im in Australia at the moment and have the oppurtunity to buy a crossmember here to take back to Japan. Seller cant tell me if its lowered or not, just sent me the pic above with the rulers. Would like to check if its dropped which I need or not because as you say it sure looks like those that are. If I cant confirm it will have to get one ex US and pay the freight, inport duties and now the extra tariff...

 

Pete: I feel confident that you can purchase the cross member in the picture and it is the same one I used in my chassis business that was made by TCI and marketed by other vendors. It has a 1 inch drop with 7 degrees of caster built in the center. P&J part number 4024 currently $194.50 plus the ride.

 

Cheers mate thanks.

 

Interesting, I have an original one and measuring it the same as you have I get 100mm, just under 4"

 

I purchased an after market one that looked very similar to the one in your photo that was supposed to be 1" lower and have the 7 degree built in, but is definitely not 1" lower than my original which came from 1934 coupe chassis. Let me know what you find, I'm probably going to pancake the after market one I have, the original is too good too chop around. I'm in New Zealand and the freight was well over $100 NZ$

 

Krazee: I don't know much about this but I do know the cross member shown above is advertised a one inch lowr with 7 degrees of caster built in. I've done a number of 33/34 chassis with this cross member and it worked good.

 

Pete: On 3/4/25 I sent you 2 sets of pictures. One of an original 33/34 chassis I did for a customer where I repaired the original front cross member with a section of Model A front cross member which lowered the center slightly over 1 inch and I added the caster angle. Looked stock after paint. Also another set of pictures of a customers 33/34 reproduction chassis using a cross member like the above pictures. Both ways worked equally well.

 

I agree with Krylon that the one pictured looks like the TCI cross member which has been a go-to for at least 40 years. I used one in my chassis build.
I seem to recall if you go with a deeper drop than 1", you get into clearance issues with the lower radiator hose bung...

 

Thanks all. Will pick it up next week and see how I go. Hoping to run an undropped axle so it all helps.

Im kinda nervous about that now actually. Lower hose outlet has already been oval shaped to fit the current setup of the corvair front end thats coming out.

 

I think the only issue will be sneaking it through customs....

The front end will be plenty tall with a non-dropped axle. The crossmember and a reverse eye spring will help, but not much. Are you talking about your current 3 window or something else?

-Abone.

 

My sock 33 crossmember measures 3 11/16. I'm thinking not much of a drop, hope this helps

 

Here is a picture of my original '34 crossmember measured the same as you have.

 

Could you with Krylon's permission, post those pictures of his chassis's that he sent you, on here. I am going to have to modify the crossmember I have been sent.

 

Here's how I did mine. Cut out the top, set at 7 degrees, add filler pieces, pie cut and add fillers, heat at the curves for the lower hoses and they are not affected. This was a hair under 1" because I wanted room to get my belt off the lower pulley.

 

@krylon32 ?

 

Thanks @1935ply I might end up having to do that. Appreciate the detailed pics etc.

 

Thanks all after a trip in a car, shuttle bus, 2 airports, 1 plane, 2 train trips and finally a 1hr drive home its here. If you ever need to know how much a set of 34 bones, SoCal front spring and a 34 aftermarket front cross member weights, it just over 20kg or about 66lbs. Wasn't easy carrying it through that journey but some important parts that gets me closer to my goal. Looks good with the spindles, axle, and perches already stashed away.

Thanks to all that helped with the crossmember information. Definitely has the 7 degrees built in etc.

 

Just a follow up. What's the reason for the 34 cross member to be so wide behind the spring compared to a Model A etc?

 

Strength improvement?

 

That's the only thing I could think of to. Was wondering if there is another reason.

 

All the repro front crossmembers have a lot less rear flange than original Fords. The originals included engine mounts, and provided a LOT more strength. Anything you can do to make it strong again will be a bonus.

 

Your front cross member is fine as is. I lost count of how many 33/34 repro chassis I built over the years. Never had a call or complaint that one of them failed