crossmember controversy

[M'staedt]

There seems to be some difference of opinion with regard to whether or not the engine crossmember is the same in a gas truck versus a diesel (1st gen. ). Below are some quotes I've accumulated (and edited for length).



Two that say the diesel will be too high if installed where a gas engine was removed -

Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly:

I had an '80 crew cab 4x4 and I will assume the drivetrain stuff is the same, as I make some comments that hopefully will help you:...

3. Dodge modified the crossmember under the engine in '89 and put on a spacer plate for the gas engines. The Cummins didn't use it, so your crossmember may be too high for the stock mounts and brackets on the engine...

Originally posted by Hutchew:

... Had to notch the frame just a wee bit so the starter would clear, and gave the cab a 1" body lift so the bellhousing wouldn't rub the firewall. I guess if I had the 'proper' engine crossmember I wouldn't have had to do that, but it worked out good, and gave me some clearance I needed in other areas, too...

One that says too low (in a discussion regarding tie rods) -

Originally posted by fastmark:

... My motor in my 92 is 1" higher by measuring to the fan than my conversion truck. Since the pan is just barely touching the centerlink, I think I will put 1/4" spacers under the motor mounts and raise the engine...

And a couple that claim a diesel will go right in -

Originally posted by murfman:

Just saw your post, the K-frame is the same (On mine anyway) The stock mounts from the 91 donor worked I had to move the trans crossmember as I went to the 47 rh (Lockup) trans...

Originally posted by CrewCabDiesel:

... The engine cradle A. K. A. K-frame, can be used from your old truck but you will have to drill the driver's side motor mount bolt hole. I removed the complete front clip when I did my conversion, and I would recommend you do the same...

How can the same installation result in such a wide variety of problems (bellhousing hitting the firewall for some and tierod hitting the pan for others)?? I haven't seen a clear consensus yet regarding this issue, so I thought I might try to address it specifically with this post.







.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

M'staedt,

As I have stated before, I have used the 1985 4X4 OEM engine and transmission crossmember in my conversion to a 1991 Cummins/Getrag/NP205. EVERYTHING fits just fine. I had to drill a new motor mount hole ONLY on the drivers side mount. As for the transmission crossmember, I had to move it back about 1 ½ inches(one bolt hole worths) which meant I had to drill only one new hole for each crossmember bracket X4. Also note I am using a 1991. 5 Crossflow radiator and the correct 1991. 5 fan shroud, and the cooling fan is dead CENTER on the radiator.

Hope this helps

Kyle

 

[Hutchew]

and all that jazz...................

I am not sure why I ended up so high (and far back) in the saddle, but with a one inch body lift on the cab, the bellhousing clears the 'flange' on the firewall by about 3/4", and there is about 1 1/4" inches between the back of the head and firewall. My motor is sitting at about a 5* tilt to the rear (measured at the transfer case output yoke), which is right where I need to be for my driveshaft angles. I looked at an 92 OEM CTD frame, and it looks like to me the upper frame rail where the starter sits is thinner than on my 85. I only had to trim about 1/4" off the frame to clear the 98 starter. My OEM 93 motor mounts bolted up to my 85 crossmember with no other modifications. I am using an early 98 12v motor, bellhousing, and NV4500 transmission. I don't know if there is any difference in the early model vs. later model bellhousings. I had to move the hole (in the cab floor) for the trans shifter rearwards about 5", but the existing hole for the transfer case shifter lined up perfectly.

Good luck, and I hope this helps in some way.

 

[Jones]

Hello James,

My 2cents on the x-member. I dropped an '89 Cummins w/ torqueflite and NP205 into my '84 Ramcharger (ex 360 w/ torqueflite) All the mounts from the Ramcharger matched with the exception of two holes on the plate which attaches to the tailshaft housing and sits on the rubber insulators on the x-member. After stretching those two holes 1/2" literally bolted in.

This may be a fluke of the 1/2 ton (ramcharger) frames. But it also accepted all of the 1 ton suspension and axles. My only other change was to a diesel core support so I could use the bigger radiator. Go figure. As to your final comment... I'm 100% with you. Long may she wave!

Jones

 

[fastmark]

I may have the only 2wd conversion here. My truck was an 84 one ton crew cab with a 360 and auto. It dropped right in as far as hitting the motor mounts. I had to fab a transmission mount and move it back some. I have a 97 NV 4500.

 

[BillyKidd]

FYI

Just For Your Information... .

I put the entire drive line and suspension from a one ton,4X4,'89 CTD,auto into a 3/4 ton 74 Dodge Crew Cab,4X4, short bed, step side p/u. The 74 had originally been a 360 ,auto. I removed the original motor mounts and drilled new holes to bolt in new '89 mounts. I moved the trans crossmember back about 1" and drilled new holes. I had to"jury rig" the radiator mount on the '89 radiator into the '74 but everything else was bolt in. I put about 20,000 on the truck after I built it and sold it to another guy who is still driving it. I now have a '93(see Sig. )Wish I had kept '74/'89.