IFS for Chevy Truck

I'm having a hard time doing this guys, any thoughts? After welding in my boxing plates and IFS cross member instructions tell me to remove the old stock cross member as it's no long required. While I do need to cut away some of it to make rack clearance but total removal seems like it will weaken the frame.

While it will look cleaner cut away if I do so what strength if any will I loose? It will leave almost 30" to the front end with no support, can I add a new cross member at the end of the frame and will this help?

Thanks!

 

I trimmed down the front crossmember. You still need part of it to mount the core support.

 

Yup. Leave enough for the radiator support:

 

Thanks for the pics guys! This was I was hoping to do but trimming down the old one seemed like lots of work to fill the the back side. What is your cross member for "gimpy"?

 

That's on a 1939 Chevy. It will receive hydraulics shortly.

 

Thank! Looking great.