Show me your custom ZF and NP 205 crossmembers

[GrillMaster]

About to build some on mine and I am looking for ideas!

 

[Dan74Bronc]

I just did this. Made a mount for the zf and another for the back side of the 205. I'll try to get some pics when I get home.

 

[bigcountry]

I just purchased metal today to do this, so I am curious as well.

 

[GrillMaster]

I plan on using 2x2 square tube, 3/8 plate and a stock ZF rubber mount for the trans. Not sure about the 205 yet but think it would be wise to use the same type of mount on the same plane so chassis twist does not turn into broken ZF tailshaft. Would need to fab up a mount for the tailshaft bolts. Maybe use some studs and a gasket as a template.

Has anyone broken a ZF tailshaft while using the frame type bolt on 205 mount? Most EB guys seem to take this route with the 205.

 

[bigcountry]

I plan to use the stock transmission mount and 1/2 x 2 solid flat stock for the transmission.

 

[allenfahey]

A vendor on here (Behemoth) sells THESE mounts for the 205.

 

[WorkerBee]

Here's one that I made for the trans. The last photo is of one that I am currently working on for the transfer case. I haven't had any problems running just the trans mount but I am nervous of the weight of the 205 hanging off that tail housing.

The trans cross member utilizes the factory mount you'd find for a ZF or M5R2. I have the Mazda but I believe they mount the same. I plan on running just the transfer case mount if it all works as planned.

I'll post up some pictures when I complete the transfer case mount.

 

[Dan74Bronc]

I found some cell phone pics.

I used 2x2 square tube and 3/8 plate to make the mounts. For the trans I got a stock rubber mount and built around that.



Here's the passenger side looking from the rear. I had to go over my exhaust pipes (not pictured)



Here's the front yoke cut out using a piece of pipe spliced into the square tube.

 

[Dan74Bronc]

For the 205 mount I used 2x2 square tube and a trans mount from a TH350 because it was cheap($5) and small.

I made a plate to bolt to the back of the case.




This is the mount and part of the cross member in the vise.



I don't have any pictures of the finished product...yet..I'll get some and post up.

 

[bigcountry]

Here's one that I made for the trans. The last photo is of one that I am currently working on for the transfer case. I haven't had any problems running just the trans mount but I am nervous of the weight of the 205 hanging off that tail housing.

The trans cross member utilizes the factory mount you'd find for a ZF or M5R2. I have the Mazda but I believe they mount the same. I plan on running just the transfer case mount if it all works as planned.

I'll post up some pictures when I complete the transfer case mount.

Where did you get the poly bushings, what size are they, and what size tubing did you use for the transfercase mount?

 

[WorkerBee]

Where did you get the poly bushings, what size are they, and what size tubing did you use for the transfercase mount?

I got the bushings here:

http://www.suspension.com/4-bar.htm

Nice guy. He hooked me up with the correct sleeve too. I believe it was part number 2123. He said it was a little bigger and softer that might work well for my application. Not sure how it's going to work quite yet so I can't give a formal recommendation.

The only problem I had is that a 1/2" bolt wouldn't make it through the sleeve. I just reamed it out a little and it went through.

I used 1" iron pipe for the tubing. That's the biggest I could bend on my brother in laws conduit bender so that's what I used.

 

[fordfan]

Home grown crossmember.

 

[Ranchtruck]

Simple and straightforward. It uses the stock ZF mount and doesn't hang lower than the np205's case. I also reused the stock crossmember's frame brackets.

I redid the exhaust as dual 2.25 stacked vertically running above the passenger side of the x-member.

 

[patrickk1]

I used the BC Bronco ZF crossmember but modified it to clear my upper link bracket on the passenger side. Then I used a clocking ring to get the np205 front driveshaft out of the way of the crossmember by clocking up the t-case. I also drilled the frame to use the factory np205 mount but modified it to use a poly trans bushing I had laying around.

 

[GrillMaster]

I deceided to go this route too.

thanks all for the pics.

I used the BC Bronco ZF crossmember but modified it to clear my upper link bracket on the passenger side. Then I used a clocking ring to get the np205 front driveshaft out of the way of the crossmember by clocking up the t-case. I also drilled the frame to use the factory np205 mount but modified it to use a poly trans bushing I had laying around.