D2 Front Crossmember

[gl4x4]

What's the point of this crossmember? I think its limiting my down travel and my drive shaft/ prop shaft may be hitting it.

Has anyone modified it to clear the drive shaft / prop shaft?

I've been considering cutting it out, if there is no value to keeping it. Are there any side effects to removing it?

Thanks

 

[DiscoPhoto]

lose it

 

[mike97d1]

I had the same issue a while back and started a thread (see link).
http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82453&referrerid=952 more pics are links here.

A buddy of mine ended up notching it to make clearance.

 

[Reed Perry]

RTE sells spacers if you want to keep it. Thats what I had on my first D2 with 3" springs and Ranchos.

I cant vouch for side affects from removing it. Im sure its fine without it, theres another a little further back mid frame

Edit: Ive heard horror stories about the bolts. Majority of the time they sheer off when trying to remove them.

 

[nickb857]

Edit: Ive heard horror stories about the bolts. Majority of the time they sheer off when trying to remove them.

Yes, the drivers side ones are fine but on the passenger side, right next to the cat, those bolts are a pain.

 

[helievacpilot]

Just something else to snag a rock on. Dump it.

 

[DiscoPhoto]

It's held on with pissant little m8 or so bolts, it's mostly useless.

 

[gl4x4]

sweet. off it comes. i'm changing the oil pan gasket anyway. this will just make it easier

 

[ozscott]

It might be handy to stop the front prop shaft hitting the road if one of the CV's comes apart...

I put spacers on mine when I lifted the suspension. Using a grub screw for the centre spline instead of grease nipple helps with clearance.

Cheers

 

[gl4x4]

If you maintain your driveshaft it won't fall apart. I have the upgraded greaseable shaft in mine with a cv.

 

[JustAddMtns]

I concur...lose it. I lost mine. Just like virginity. I just gave it up and I'm still fine.

 

[DiscoPhoto]

It might be handy to stop the front prop shaft hitting the road if one of the CV's comes apart...

I put spacers on mine when I lifted the suspension. Using a grub screw for the centre spline instead of grease nipple helps with clearance.

Cheers

I'd rather mine hit the ground then the transmission. Who cares if it hits the ground? It's already broken at that point, and it brakes at the rear

 

[Blue]

I concur...lose it. I lost mine. Just like virginity. I just gave it up and I'm still fine.

But you're dirty.

 

[ozscott]

I was thinking more in terms of front joint failure and the front dropping onto the road at highway speed and jamming into the road...I have seen the results of rear shafts doing that in Australia and it isnt pretty for the vehicle. As said above though keeping the shaft in good nick means catestrophic failure is unlikely so fair enough.

Cheers

 

[JustAddMtns]

But you're dirty.

True, Blue. I often think to myself WWBD...and then I do that.