Laying your truck's frame flat to the pavement isn't always as easy as just bolting in some airbags and calling it a day. This is what separates the boys from the men. Many daily drivers don't lay all the way out; which is completely justified with bigger tires, not wanting to cut out firewalls and fender tubs, and overall more major cutting and modifications. But one thing that shouldn't stand in your way is a pesky tranny crossmember that hangs below the frame! CanDo Specialties makes a raised crossmember for the Toyota pickup, so we caught up with them to check out the install. For more information, check out the Tech Lowdown.
The Tech Lowdown
Parts Used: CanDo Specialties Toyota Tranny X-member
Company: CanDo Specialties
Contact Info: candospecialties.com, or call (530) 533-8680
Approximate Installation Time: 4-8 hrs depending on tools and skill level
Skills Required: intermediate measuring, cutting, and welding
Tools used: plasma or sawzall, grinder, welder
Parts Cost: $150
 1. There it is; the bulky...  1. There it is; the bulky factory x-monster that likes to eat up the pavement but keeps your truck's frame from kissing good ole Mother Earth. |  2. Not everyone will be lucky...  2. Not everyone will be lucky enough to do this install with the cab and bed off the truck, but we figured we'd rub it in a little. So Terry "T-Bag" whipped out his tool of choice to operate with plenty of room. If you do this with everything on, you'll need to use a short blade and go slow to make sure you don't catch anything. |  3. Once the x-member is cut...  3. Once the x-member is cut off the frame, we use a 40-grit flap disc to metal finish any remaining pieces of the old x-member off the frame. |
 4. Here's a look at the difference...  4. Here's a look at the difference between the new x-member and the factory one. Steve says he designed this part originally back in '96 when bagging a '84 Toyota. |  5. Bolt the angled pieces...  5. Bolt the angled pieces supplied with the kit to each end of the x-member. These pieces will be welded to the frame. |  6. This won't be a problem...  6. This won't be a problem for most of you, since your trucks aren't tore down to the frame, but make sure your tranny is bolted up, so that you can use it as a jig to line up the x-member using a jack to hold it in place. |
 7. Temporarily clamp the x-member...  7. Temporarily clamp the x-member in place and check to see if it's level. Once you're sure everything is correctly placed and level, tack weld it in place, remove the clamps, and double check it again to make sure the x-member is square and level on both sides. |  Once you've got it positioned...  Once you've got it positioned correctly you can weld it up and make it look nice and pretty. |  9. And there it is; plenty...  9. And there it is; plenty of ground clearance, and another pretty part to clean up your ride! Check out the Tech Lowdown to order. |