Removing Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member

[BIGVANS]

Has anybody ever had any problems or heard of any bad points, noises, etc. after removing the "Spare tire mount/Rear frame cross member" from the frame?

[Gnarvan]

Good timing on your question. I've been thinking about adding another fuel tank to my rig. I was out junkyarding today and ran across a cutaway van that still had the tank in it. I guess the yard didn't want to sell the gas tank. Take a look at the picture to see why. To get a tank like this to fit I think you would have to remove the frame cross member in front of the spare tire holder.

Cutaway fuel tank


I scored a very clean side door step kick plate out of 94 conversion van for $17. I decided to pass on this van accessory from the conversion van.

[BIGVANS]

But the shoes are so SHINY!

Yep, lots of room for stuff - Aft Axle Fuel Tank, Under Floor Storage Box, Coach Batteries, Water Tanks, anything if it doesn’t have negative effects on the frame or suspension.

[BajaSportsmobile]

I cut mine out of my E350 EB just the other day, I don't anticipate a problem. I am going to do some X bracing as part of the tank support and new bumper/hitch.

[carringb]

I cut my spare tire carrier out no problem. Ford does recommend having the crossmember in place, but does allow it to be moved forward or back to clear equipment or body modifications.

[carringb]

PS - you may want to check out U-Joint's rear skid-plate setup. It makes for nice packaging for water tanks or air compressors etc.

[BIGVANS]

So, it looks like in some cases the rear frame rails twist slightly outward with just the stock thin bumper making the bumper mounting holes not line up properly.

[WVvan]

Here's some info and pics of when I removed mine: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...p=63484#p63484

[rnj]

Mine had the spare tire carrier removed for the generator by SMB Tx. Not sure if a cross member was removed. I was thinking it still had a cross member at the very back but only has the hitch across the back. There is a crossmember about 1 1/2" behind the rear axle and 3' from the rear bumper. I R&R'd the rear bumper no problem with flexing the frame rails they look straight. Never heard or had any issues but I'm only 2x.

[BIGVANS]

Thanks for the link WVvan!

I never had a problem with removing it from any of my old vans but they all had a hitch AND a steel bumper installed at the time. I will be grinding off the rivet heads and removing the cross member intact. I need to relocate my “Evaporative Emissions Canister” like you did. I haven’t made up my mind yet on how to do it cleanly but when I do I’ll post the pics. I may also “Box” parts of the frame rails depending on what a couple of local 4x4 fab shops have to say.