I have trouble removing the crossmember supporting my 3-speed transmission. Is it designed to come out without unbolting the frame? I can slide it side to side and fore/aft, but don't have enough clearance to pull it completely out. What is the preferred method to remove the transmission?

 

your body mounts are probably week/old which does not allow enough room for removal of the transmission mount. get a bfh and smack it. it will come out

 

Another way is to make some wooden wedges to make room to remove you crossmember with bad body mounts .

 

This makes sense. I have some pretty significant rust at the rear body mount. Probably sagging. I like the wooden wedge idea. BFH is always an option!

 

I call Ford Tuning Tool and use it on one side to pound out and pound back in.
And this was AFTER replacing the body bushings, so, the situation is always there.
Once the floor is dented, easy later in life and if you pound towards the rear, the dent is never seen from inside as its under the seat reinforcement.

 

Thanks, I'll try this in the morning.