T-56 crossmember

[PSuva]

So I bought a used t-56 today for my Fox project, 36k miles for $650~! I need a crossmember and apparently D&D doesn't supply them anymore. The company that manufactured them apparently went out of business so D&D is in the process of finding a new manufacturer. These things can take a long time, plus i'm not too keen on the nearly $300 pricetag that the guy at D&D estimated the part will run once they have a new manufacturer.

So how hard is it to custom build one? I have my own mig welder and some used t5 crossmembers I could use for donor parts and mockup. Does anybody have any specs out there or information I might find valuable in this endeavor?

 

[faststang90]

found this has a pic. im sure u could find a shop to do it.

Ford Mustang Fox Body Remove Crossmember Photo

 

[PSuva]

I know the t-56 mounting position is approximately 5" further back than the t5 one is. That part doesn't concern me as its pretty easily measurable. What does concern me is the mounting HEIGHT. In every picture i've seen of a t-56 crossmember for a foxbody there appears to be a rise in the crossmember where it bolts to the transmission. Its like the mounting point on the trans sits higher in the trans tunnel for the t-56 than it does the t5.

So if thats the case then how do I measure the rise? Do I have to bolt the trans to the motor and jack up the trans until the motor sits level and then measure from there?

 

[PSuva]

I figured it out, RAWR!

The images I see of fox t56 crossmembers all have that rise in them because they aren't using trans mounts. The crossmember is mounting directly to the tailshaft housing. I knew that the original fox body t56 projects used stock t5 crossmembers and they'd relocate the mounting brackets on the frame rails back 5" to accomodate. So I can either build a crossmember that has a rise in it equal to the measurements of a transmount or I can build a double hump style one that utilizes a mount. Piece of cake.

So then, to mount or not to mount? That is the question...

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

all depends on if you want vibrations and noise I guess. I myself have almost literally removed all sources of noise from my car.... next is the darn muffler that is rubbing the floorboard.

 

[faststang90]

i would install the tranny and find a shop that can make it . my car had a glide and the other guy cut the stock things off. i had to take it to a shop to weld in a new 1 . i think it was about 350.00

 

[2000xp8]

i would install the tranny and find a shop that can make it . my car had a glide and the other guy cut the stock things off. i had to take it to a shop to weld in a new 1 . i think it was about 350.00

Exactly my thoughts.
Get it in the car, make some kind of tempory support.
Tow the car to a chassis shop and let them make you what you need.
Shouldn't cost more than what D&D was charging and it won't be one size fits all, it will be for your car.