Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmision cross member

[kcv67]

When I was going back together after fixing the fifth gear the transmision cross member was tough going back in. Is there a trick going back together or is it a fight every time. What I ended up doing was put the cross member at a 45 angle with the top close where it should be then worked it into place while moving the rubber mount around.

The fifth gear fix was not that big of a job, I just did the band aid fix with just the updated nut because all of my parts looked good. Now l will see how long fifth gear hangs on.

 

[Kirwin]

Cross member help

Hey just put a piece of 4 X 4 in between the frame rails and jack them apart a little. It will slip right in. Ken Irwin

 

[Deezul1]

Mine came out easy and went back in the same way. Being able to raise it straight up some before trying to move to the front/back seems to help a lot.

 

[Jerred]

I did the auto to manual conversion and had the same problem, a tight fit. I used the 45deg and hammer method. Getting set to do some work to the trany (new top for the short shift kit, cast iron extension housing, rear main seal) and I got a tip on how to remove the cross member easily. Get the smallest bottle jack you can find, I got a 2 ton little guy from harbor freight for $11. Extend the cylinder as far as it will go and weld a piece of pipe to the end of it (measure the length you'll need between the frame rails minus the length of the bottle jack). Spot weld it slowly in different places so you don't boil the hydraulic fluid in the jack! Let it cool and then go again. You can jack the frame apart enough that it will almost drop right out, you don't need to go far! Thanks again to Jim Leonard for that time saving tip! Also, it's much easier to install the cross member without the trany/xfer case mount installed. Jack up the trany out of the way, install the cross member and then the mount to the xfer case. Then let the trany down and settle the mount right in place, install the nuts and rock n' roll! Don't forget the driveline... .

 

[kcv67]

Thanks for the input I new somebody here had a trick that would work.

 

[bnelson]

You mean none of you fellows have a porta-power? Anything at all that will spring the frame rails apart about an inch will do the trick. (Catch the Harbor Freight house brand 10-ton unit on sale and it's only $99. 00. ) Brad