4 Speed Transmission Crossmember?

I’m getting close to putting the T18 into my ‘66 but don’t have a plan for the crossmember/mount yet. I’d love to see what others have done (all in one place). I have seen a couple kits and that is the way I’m leaning now as I don’t have any type of Tube Bender. Please post pictures or links. This is the kit I have saved on my computer that I like. Thanks.

Universal Transmission Crossmember Kit

 

Here's what I built, works well.

 

why not use stock crossmember

 

I modified a standard crossmember for T18 and T98 with flatties.
Moved the original T98 Jeep mount to the right for use with Dauntless engine.
Also moved the standard transfer case mount 3/4” to the right.
Sorry can’t get into my pics.

 

My crossmember isn’t in bad condition. I thought the T18 was big enough that it would require modifications that wouldn’t work as well as something custom? I definitely don’t want to just put 2” of spacers under it.

 

That is the kit i used in my build thread that has some pictures. It seemed a little overkill but the bends and everything are where I needed them since I didn’t have a tube bender. I liked the fact the isolation was at the frame since I had trouble with shearing bolts with isolators at the transmission.

however, I am now kinda stumped on a skid plate. It can’t mount to both the crossmember (isolated) and the frame (unisolated) so you just have one thin mount point. I have some ideas but something to think about.

 

That kit should be made to work just fine. I know you said you have no tubbing bender but this is what I came up with for mine while still giving access to everything along with protection.

 

I'm in the same process with my build. I'm using a t18 with a factory T98 crossmember. It sticks down the same as a T90 does.
Jay

 

On my 3B I had just enough clearance to bolt the crossmember to frame rails without adding spacers.
The T18 clearance can be a very close fit but you will need to customize your tunnel cover anyway.

 

one last thing on that kit: on the website it has you mounting it inside the frame rails which is really slick. however, the rails are too close on our jeeps, so you would have to re-bend the tube with much sharper angle (and alot of other things to weld the tabs inside the frame rails). So, you end up mounting them on the bottom on the frame rails which doesn't decrease your overall ground clearance, but does create two large bumps that could get hung up on stuff.

 

I remember liking yours when I was there this summer. Photos would be great. I remember you had one with two tubes that I really liked.

 

My implementation
Yes I need to add the bolt on the D18 tab. I made plate to connect it to tubing.

The hangers are made from 3 1/2” square 1/4” wall tubing, made support plate as did not like the one that came with the prebent tubing. Replaced end pieces with larger DOM tubing and larger bushings.
Cannot see due to lighting but the plate under the adapter between T19 and D18 was made to use all three threaded holes in the adapter. Lowest part of tube is just below D18 pan.

This design used bushings at side to reduce below trans/transfer case to be about 1/4” below D18 pan.
Skid plate will be added
Dennis

 

Used Genright

 

Because of the soa, transfer case choice, and original driveshaft I came up with this mess. It was cheap and simple but offers no protection. I still have more ground clearance than a stock jeep but that’s not saying much.

 

Is there anything wrong with cutting and welding the tubing at angles? Maybe gussets here and there.

 

Hey Scott does your trans to transfer case adapter have mounting holes that are threaded for mounting?

 

I believe it does. It's the standard Novak kit. T-18 adapt to D18/20.

 

Good stuff here. Keep the photos coming.

I'm thinking about buying the HF pipe bender. Nate at Dirt Lifestyle on you tube has a good video. Only 12min.



Can anyone tell where I could buy just the tube and bushing parts that support the ends for making a kit like this?