Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
Re: Removing Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member
I've used a Plasma Cutter or Cutting Torch to "blow" the heads off of the rivets - grinding them off can kill a whole day.
__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.
Re: Removing Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member
Yea, most fab shops and body shops air chisel the heads off and then air hammer the cross member until the rivet stems pop out of the holes. (They usually scratch and ding up the frame rails)
__________________
2003 Ford E-350SD 4x4
V10 / 4R100 / NV271
Front Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/King Pin/Open Knuckle/High Steer
Rear Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/Full Floating
Eaton E-Lockers Front And Rear/4:10 Gears
ARB Differential Covers - Nodular Iron With Dipstick And Drain Plug
Leaf Spring Suspension Front And Rear
46 Gal Transfer-Flow Fuel Tank
ExtremeAire Magnum Air Compressor
Reunel Rear Bumper
On And On ...
Re: Removing Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member
Hey Bigvans I bought a rear skid system from UJoint Chris a while back and I was looking at it tonight and I thought of your post. So while working on it I looked at the SuperVan link on his website for pictures of how it all fits together. In at least one of the pictures it shows the van with the rear bumper off and it has a frame tie between the bumper mounts. Maybe you could build or buy one of those (FF001 front frame support) and use it to add a bit of strength and or you could buy the crossmember that comes with the UJoint skid system and weld it in anywhere you might want it.
__________________
2008 Ford E-350 V-10 EB
Transformer Interior
U-Joint Off Road 4x4 kit in the garage
2004 F-350 Dana 60
Re: Removing Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member
Yes, Chris makes one support plate for the front and one for the rear of the frame. He also makes that additional one that is welded in near the rear axle on EB vans. You will be happy with U-Joint, His stuff works great!
__________________
2003 Ford E-350SD 4x4
V10 / 4R100 / NV271
Front Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/King Pin/Open Knuckle/High Steer
Rear Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/Full Floating
Eaton E-Lockers Front And Rear/4:10 Gears
ARB Differential Covers - Nodular Iron With Dipstick And Drain Plug
Leaf Spring Suspension Front And Rear
46 Gal Transfer-Flow Fuel Tank
ExtremeAire Magnum Air Compressor
Reunel Rear Bumper
On And On ...