Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Transmission / Transfer Case Crossmember Mount

I have always thought that the skidplates that force you to support the transmission when the skidplate is removed to gain access for routine service all suffer from a major design flaw.

I've been curious what people have fabricated for TJ's so that the skidplate is independent of the transmission and transfer case.
 
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Chason said:
Well from the tmr instructions you have to just drill some holes & bolt it up.
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Look at the pictures. The only holes you have to drill are for the flat plate that goes to the bottom of the trans where the original trans mount used to be. The rest requires welding.

They are also not taking into account or maybe customers aren't, that there is a cat right in that area and we have to joggle around them if we try to mount a cross member that high.
 
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Looks very simple. I wonder how well the transmission mount eliminates vibes? Nice solution. A nice addition to plans for a TT.
 
JMT said:
Looks very simple. I wonder how well the transmission mount eliminates vibes? Nice solution. A nice addition to plans for a TT.
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We have built many of that style. Vibe control is at best a crap shoot and the only way you will know is to build, install the cross member and start the engine.
 
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Maybe I'm in the minority, but it's not difficult to set up a bottle jack under the bell housing the few times that you remove the skid.
 
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Serbonze said:
Maybe I'm in the minority, but it's not difficult to set up a bottle jack under the bell housing the few times that you remove the skid.
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You've never needed to diagnose an issue that is easier found with the belly skid removed on the test drive. We drive rigs quite often with the belly skid off to figure out stuff. Or, like the one in the driveway right now, we're doing some work under it and the owner dropped it off with the belly skid removed to save us some time.
 
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Old thread but I'm interested in a transmission crossmember that will allow me to remove the skid without having to support the transmission while it's off.

Looks like Savvy has stopped making theirs for the TJ/LJ and my searches aren't turning up anything.

I'm not against fabbing one if needed if there are some good pictures to go off of so I make something that's decently useful.
 
TerryD said:
Old thread but I'm interested in a transmission crossmember that will allow me to remove the skid without having to support the transmission while it's off.

Looks like Savvy has stopped making theirs for the TJ/LJ and my searches aren't turning up anything.

I'm not against fabbing one if needed if there are some good pictures to go off of so I make something that's decently useful.
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BFH garage on YouTube did a good how to on it.

The typical MO seems to be to use suspension bushings at each end of the crossmember and then rigid bolt it to the transmission. I realize it's less ideal from a clearance standpoint but I wonder what other issues people have run into that keeps them from keeping the original mount and a simple bolted joint at the frame. Might be a worthy tradeoff for people who are more into the serviceability aspect and are concerned about vibrations but don't need a perfectly flat belly.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
BFH garage on YouTube did a good how to on it.

The typical MO seems to be to use suspension bushings at each end of the crossmember and then rigid bolt it to the transmission. I realize it's less ideal from a clearance standpoint but I wonder what other issues people have run into that keeps them from keeping the original mount and a simple bolted joint at the frame. Might be a worthy tradeoff for people who are more into the serviceability aspect and are concerned about vibrations but don't need a perfectly flat belly.
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His is an OK design I guess. I would not use bushings on the end like he did. Any frame twist or motor mount movement is directly absorbed by the bell housing and transmission case.

I've seen lots of transmission cases blown out over the years from guys using poly or solid mounts with stock motor mounts. One even in a nicely restored 68 Camaro with just a 307 but original motor mounts and a super stiff poly transmission mount.

I will always use a stock rubber transmission mount. I did when I flat bellied my K5 cause the ol' square bodies are horrible about frame flex.
 
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TerryD said:
His is an OK design I guess. I would not use bushings on the end like he did. Any frame twist or motor mount movement is directly absorbed by the bell housing and transmission case.
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I've done more than a few dozen that way without a single failure or any problem whatsoever.
TerryD said:
I've seen lots of transmission cases blown out over the years from guys using poly or solid mounts with stock motor mounts. One even in a nicely restored 68 Camaro with just a 307 but original motor mounts and a super stiff poly transmission mount.
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In which Jeeps are they having an issue?
TerryD said:
I will always use a stock rubber transmission mount. I did when I flat bellied my K5 cause the ol' square bodies are horrible about frame flex.
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I prefer the OEM mount and I'm quite the wizard at utilizing them when you absolutely think it can't be done, but that doesn't change how many times I've not done it that way with zero issues.
 
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mrblaine said:
I prefer the OEM mount and I'm quite the wizard at utilizing them when you absolutely think it can't be done, but that doesn't change how many times I've not done it that way with zero issues.
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I would like to see some pictures of how you've used them to help plan my crossmember. My current skid is rotten between the bolt holes and I would like to be ready to start fabbing once spring is here and I'm caught up on other projects.
 
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TerryD said:
Old thread but I'm interested in a transmission crossmember that will allow me to remove the skid without having to support the transmission while it's off.
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I purchased one of these from Advance Adapters:


I used it once.

I can't find it on the AA website, so it may have been discontinued.
 
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