T5 transmission swap question

[38 Dodge RC]

I’m looking for anyone who has made the T5transmission swap in a 1930’s truck. 
I would like to know what you have done with the frame cross member drive shaft hole with this swap. 
the DS hole isn’t big enough for the T5 so would like to know if you all just increase the size of the DS hole, or did  you just cut out the bottom of the frame and replace it with some form of  support?

this only applies to truck frames  

thanks 

[Young Ed]

The 39-47 frames have an arch vs a hole but it's still too small. I cut about an inch off and then welded another strip on horizontally to reinforce the area. Check my turkey truck build thread for pics

[38 Dodge RC]

Just for clarification say cut the whole circle out about an inch?

I was thinking of cutting the lower cross support out and widen it to the size i need then take some angle with flat stock and bolt it all back together to fill in what I cut out but also if I have to remove the tranny again I can just unbolt the lower section for easy removal. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this?

See rough sketch 

Edited March 3, 2021 by 38 Dodge RC

[Young Ed]

That certainly looks like it would work. Be mindful of that lower edge if it's also the gas tank mount. I got a little wide on my cut with the saws all and had to do a little welding....

[38 Dodge RC]

Ed,

can you get me some pictures of your frame. I have thought about the rank I was looking at cutting the frame on the inside of where the tank is but I will have look at it again 

[Young Ed]

Check page 6. Pics of how I cut mine and enlarged the opening.

[38 Dodge RC]

Thanks Ed,

I looked at the pictures did your frame just have an arch or was it like mine and you just cut out the bottom?

 

[Young Ed]

19 minutes ago, 38 Dodge RC said:

Thanks Ed,

I looked at the pictures did your frame just have an arch or was it like mine and you just cut out the bottom?

 

Just an arch and I enlarged it about an inch overall to clear the t5. Then welded a lip back to the edge like the original

[38 Dodge RC]

Did you use a T5 out of an S10?

my confusion is looking at your frame the transmission section on yours is arched where mine is straight across. 
with a dip in the bottom. I guess I’ll just try to fit the tranny and see what I will have to cutout and go for it. 

[Young Ed]

I did. The frame difference is probably something that changed with the redesign in 39. 

[1936Forepoint]

I have a 36 pickup and I moved the crossmember aft by about 7 inches and I re-located the hole to match the transmission.  Of course, that crossmember also is the front mount for the fuel tank so I also moved the fuel tank to behind the rear end.  

[38 Dodge RC]

Now that is some good work. Two questions can I get more details on the emergency brake setup and is the tank factory it looks a little wider and shorter. 

[1936Forepoint]

Thanks.  I am using a Ford 8.8 diff from a 96 Explorer for a better ratio.  Width and lug bolt pattern is identical to the original and I get disc brakes.  I used the original e-brake handle assembly and made a bracket that bolts to the transmission and pulls the cables for the e-brakes.  The fuel tank is from Tanks Inc and is 30"x 16"x8" for 15 gals.  it fits nicely behind the rearend.  https://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=216/category_id=133/mode=prod/prd216.htm

[38 Dodge RC]

Nice work. Is that the original shifter lever? Did you cut it off and weld it to the T5 shifter lever? 
what are going to run for a master cylinder? 
thanks for the information I will look into the items you listed 

[1936Forepoint]

I have kept all my original parts intact in case I ever want to go back to original.  All of the mods that I have done are reversible.  That said, I came up with a scrap transmission and used the shifter from that and welded it to the T5 stub. For the master cylinder, I am using a Dual master cylinder from a 97-2006 Jeep wrangler.  I looked at a lot of master cylinders and this one was one of the few that would fit in the tight space.  I made a plate to convert the three hole space to accept the two hole master cylinder.  

[38 Dodge RC]

That sure is helpful. I will look for that MC. 
I’m like you o don’t want to tear up my original equipment. But I do like the original look you got going. Do you have any pictures of the parking brake bracket I would like to see how that is attached also. 
I was thinking about moving my cross brace like you did and just cut my tank down to side to make it  fit in the same area. 

[38 Dodge RC]

Got my bell housing welded up today letting it cool. Will have to find a machine shop local that will be able to drill it for me. 
than I will mock it all up and start cutting / moving the cross member. 

[1936Forepoint]

The bracket primarily bolts to what used to be the transmission mount at the bottom.  I also made a bracket that bolts to the transmission between the main space and the tail shaft housing.  There are probably lots of ways to do this but this is what I came up with.

Bob

[38 Dodge RC]

Bob that is a genus design and functional I like the look and it works. 
thanks for sharing. 

[Rotus8]

My design is similar, though it is a Tremec rather than T5.

[Rodney_Hamon]

This is a great subject with great pictures! Every  aspect from the mc to the gas tank and cross brace relocation on my ‘36 has me revved. I have been stymied how to hook up my emergency brake and these pictures have energized me to figure it out since putting in the R-10. Thanks everyone! 

[Jim Shepard]

I can’t tell from your photos... are you putting in a cross member for the T5?