Technical Dropping original 46-48 ford front crossmember

Anyone have any photos or information on dropping/flattening the original front crossmember in a 46-48 ford? I will be running a SBC. I am looking for some insight on clearance and or how much I can go and get away with. I have a good idea on how to go about it just want to see if there is any other ways to go about it.
Thanks in advance

Ethan

 

I section 2 inch out of them,in the vertical drop area.weld em back up,any more you can get clearance problems over 2 1/4 section,but ive done them and run a 4 inch drop axle too no problems but its way low. easy method is weld some angle across the top of the crossmember with a centre hole drilled to locate a bolt in the spring hole centre hole,keeps the two top sections together in the right spot.cut your horizontal section out of the crossemember in the drop area,lift the bottom up using the long bolt to help centralise it all and weld er up johnny

 

I bought a dropped crossmember from '40 Fort along with a Posies spring. Started out simple; but ended up requiring more changes than I thought would be needed.

 

I believe that at one time Speedway sold a replacement cross member for the 41-48 fords that was much lower. you might look at the catalog

 

awesome information Johnny. That’s what I was looking for. You have any photos by chance?

 

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I tried to order the crossmember from speedway but it has been on back order for a while. Looking for a alternative

 

I can get you a photo of a sectioned front crossmember tonight I’ve been driving on for six years, I’ve got it up on stands doing the brakes, so it’s good timing Johnny

 

This was ride height with a 4” drop axle and 2” sectioned front crossmember.Johnny

 

one I did in a fender less carand the one under the 46


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I have a speedway crossmember sitting around that i'm not using if you're looking to buy one.

 

@Asphalt Demon what issues do you run into with hitting the wishbones and steering when sectioning one like that?

 

Zero issues with both the wishbone and steering with only the crossmember section.But you’ll have to rebend steering arms with a drop axle or use aftermarket drop arms.here is a picture of the area I section so there’s no confusion. johnny

 

Awesome, thank you!

 

Thanks for posting the pictures; worth almost a thousand words of description.

 

Have you ever cut one vertically and slid it up compared to the horizontal section? Just curious

also since you’ve done more than one do you have a preference on how to jig it so you keep everything centered/level?