Custom Removable Transmission Crossmember! Mighty Max Ep: 22

I've been waiting for this moment for a long time; To finally figure out what my pinion angle will be! Today we build a crossmember to mount the transmission to the frame. Not just any crossmember though. It has to be removable to allow future maintenance of the transmission, rear main seal, exhaust, etc.

[@grippgoat]

You may struggle with laziness, but you're the one putting up KZbin vids while the rest of us sit and leave comments. So you must be winning the battle.

[@GarageFab]

Hahaha! That’s one way of looking at it. Thank you for making me feel better about myself! 🙌

[@paulmaigler289]

Transfer punch. Good to see you getting back to the Mighty Max!! Have a great Christmas/Holiday!!!!

[@thesquarerootofnegativei6225]

I scrolled down to see if anybody beat me to it, and here we are.

[@GarageFab]

Yes! Still like center punch better. Let’s agree to swap names.

[@daos3300]

@@thesquarerootofnegativei6225 dang +1

[@raymondw7875]

I really enjoy how genuine your videos are. Sharing the struggles and the heartfelt signoff in this video make it great!

[@GarageFab]

I appreciate you back, Raymond! Thanks for coming back time and again. See you in the next one!

[@Marcus_Woodard]

Nice work! Just a side note. It's good to buy bolts long enough so that the shoulder of the bolt is in the shear position. Then just cut down the threaded portion to size and chamfer the end. Putting the threads in a shear position can lead to the bolt breaking. Probably not a big deal in this application though.

[@JBBBBBBBB250]

The visible struggle that starts at about 2:00 in is so accurate...Then we get to 4:25 for the neck and flabdominal workout. I feel your pain

[@253fabrication]

I regret not buying my 2 post sooner! I've had it for 10 years and it's a back saver! I've definitely busted my head on the arms numerous times though🤣 Keep up the good work man!

[@W0O0G]

Called a transfer punch.

[@jonathanmoran1697]

Congrats on being the first house on the block to have their Christmas lights up...🤣🤣🤣

[@GarageFab]

Thanks man! It was easy really. Being the first to take them down might be a challenge tho. 🤔

[@timgannon2993]

As i get older and stiffer i use old carpet in my workshop around and under my projects and yes sometimes a old pillow or two.......cheers lad merry Christmas

[@GarageFab]

Not a bad idea. Though when I picture old carpet, I envision dog pee. 🤢

[@johnpaulfletcher8655]

I’m REALLY enjoying your videos! The explanation helps those of us who’ve never fabricated anything!

[@frankpeneno]

Great videos!!! We call them punches, Transfer Punches

[@davidcadenhead8436]

Fill a 2 liter bottle with water. Use it as a headrest under the truck. Works real good.

[@GarageFab]

I like it. Add a straw and I like it even more!

[@rickh6963]

Add this to the lift fund! Merry Christmas!!

[@GarageFab]

Words can’t express how much I appreciate you, Rick. Thank you and Merry Christmas my friend.

[@dominicalbrecht7039]

3am and im watching this instead of sleeping..i might have a problem. Naaa its everybody else that has the problems..

[@KBzKustomsINC]

Yeeees mighty max content!! Hearing your joy was the best part ☺️

[@jeremywhittington7605]

A little trick I do when I feel like there will be an issue with clamping! I basically do exactly what you did, except when I switch to the saw, I position the blade in the cut and then wedge the tip of a flat head screwdriver anywhere it can be wedged in the cut to prevent the two halves from clamping together. Also! Get rid of those HSS drills, and get some HSSco ones, they are far better.

[@kevinmiller8865]

The saws all thing is one of the reasons why I want a porta power. I learned the other day that a milk jug with a lid will prop your head

[@andyb7754]

I like how your so happy working in your garage! I used to be that way, but I got too old!! LOL! One thing, wear a mask when grinding for your sake and your families sake. Thank you for your videos.

[@ManMrKrazy]

Love the channel. I am a driveway/ garage fabber myself. In other words my neighbors hate me also lol

[@GarageFab]

Hahaha! My neighbors love me. (Or at least they pretend to.) I fix people’s cars, replace water heaters, feed cats… There’s only a couple that don’t talk to me. I’m sure they can’t wait till I cut my fingers off with a grinder. Thank you my friend! Stay respectful and keep at it!

[@papaloongie]

I resemble that remark…

[@dondenny2534]

Don’t you dare motivate me to work on my own garage art project! Glad to see you’re back on the Max.

[@thunderbirdizations]

Lolllll underrated comment

[@elborikua951]

Comments turned off on newest video?!? So dropping my comment here. Thanks so much for the hard work that you do. As I work on my first restoration, I watch many different channels in search of knowledge. Your teaching technique is excellent, while being entertaining at the same time. I am currently putting together a copy of your pneumatic-assisted shrinker/stretcher assy. Happy New Year!

[@GarageFab]

Thank you my friend! 🙏 Can’t wait to see what you create. Corrected the comments! KZbin has a new comment moderation feature and I intended to turn it off. Must’ve turned off the wrong thing.

[@kylechapman710]

I like the crossmember. And good job on the lights. 🤣👍

[@michaelanderson3771]

Merry Christmas Aaron. And a a Happy New Year for 2024. Keep it coming brother. Love your stuff. That Drive shaft explanation is the best I have seen on the YT so far. You make it so easy to understand the cumulative effects of misalignment and the solution. Stay safe and happy Holidays.

[@GarageFab]

Michael! Thank you my friend. I appreciate all the time you’ve spent here. See you next year! 🙌

[@Lsmiata95]

Believe it or not but I have found one of the best things to rest you head on while under a car is a simple piece of 4x4 wood. I stapled an old rag onto 1 side of it for a little extra cushion.

[@aldoortega2170]

I got a set a set of those step drill bits, tool truck brand, absolutely love em. They carry a lifetime warranty and can be replaced individually if dull out or break.

[@vidars2606]

Good to see you back and working on the car again. You cut a lot with angle grinder. Have you tried diamond disc? Check out the Dewalt Extreme for metal. Have used mine for half a year and cut both thick and thin with the same disc. Last week I cut maybe 100 cuts in square pipe tubing, which usually eats cutting discs, the disc still just as fine as befordre cutting. The best thing is that there is no grinding dust (only iron particles) and that the diameter is constant.

[@GarageFab]

Interesting! I’ve never heard of such a thing aside for perhaps tile/masonry discs. In fact I think I have one. I’ll keep an eye out for the one you mentioned and give it a go. Thank you my friend!

[@ronbelldvm]

Merry Christmas, to you ManKandy, and congrats on being the first to have your Christmas lights up. ;-) I always enjoy watching you work. Thanks for taking the time to bring us along for the ride.

[@kustomaf7606]

Have you ever taken them down? lol Thanks for the videos! Happy new year brother!

[@HouseofChop]

Hell yeah! Great video. It’s always the little in between things… engine kick stand FTW. Zeroing bellhousings for transmission installs will never be the same again. Thank you sir 🙌🏼🙇🏻‍♂️

[@GarageFab]

Right?! I reused that same lil doohickey to set pinion angle. (Video drops Sunday morning) So I decided to hang on to it. Built a cute stand and everything. (I’ll prolly never use it again) 😆 Still miss you.

[@MPFabworks]

I’ve been busy working on making my tools better, but every time I see a video of your mighty max it makes me want to work on my 41 ford pickup. One of these days I’ll start it up.

[@turboflush]

See yah next year sir.

[@GarageFab]

🙌 Imma try to sneak one more out this weekend. It’s a long shot. We’ll see!!!!

[@js8982]

I use an old plastic orange juice bottle for a headrest. crunched it in a little and tightened the cap so it has some give. works pretty well. a 2 liter bottle might be even better

[@JustinPaul1st]

Keep moving forward and A Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous 2024 to you and the family...

[@beatlebug9622]

Happy holidays... From Greece! Get a good rest because we are waiting for new vids and stuff......

[@scotthultin7769]

245 👍's up GF thank you for sharing 😊 Merry Christmas to you and your family 💐

[@elibrown7808]

This is absolutely my new favorite Fab Channel!!! Have a wonderful New Years!

[@chrisbenn8691]

Happy Christmas Aaron. Hope is all good in Vegas. Over here in Sydney some guys go mental with Christmas lights but its all in good cheer. Look forward to more videos. Thank you.

[@derJackistweg]

Great and fun to watch as always! Oh dear I sound like fanboy.

[@GarageFab]

Maybe a little. But I appreciate it! 😆

[@philsommerard203]

Hi just an idea , why don't you jack up the truck higher , to give you more room to move around underneath , also could use the plasma to finish the cuts on the cross member . When the truck is higher it's less bending over , and provides space to store stuff underneath in bins on a dolly . Keep going on the mighty Max !!!

[@dereklloyd527]

I'm glad your reluctance to take down your christmas lights from 2022 is paying off in 2023 lol

[@GarageFab]

Hahaha!! 🙌 Me too, Derek, me too.

[@Brandon_obs_ls]

@@GarageFabquestion is a 2 link set up bad kinda like how an old 67to72 c10 has arms in back

[@GarageFab]

It depends on what your plans are for the truck, Brandon. The 2 link is a great setup! It’s simple and highly effective. NASCAR has been using it for ever. However, when used in off-road or adjustable suspension, the 2-link is terrible. It can’t articulate much and the pinion angle (deferential angle) varies wildly throughout travel which causes problems with the drive shaft. Needless to say, NASCAR doesn’t see a lot of suspension travel.

[@wyattbrenneis6637]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. thank you for your time and videos . I'm always learning from your knowledge

[@matterwin2851]

I need to thank you for your channel. Your videos gave me the confidence and information I needed to start my bagged, Nash Metropolitan project. Thank you!

[@GarageFab]

Nice! Thank you for that much needed motivation me friend. Best of luck on the project!

[@DiegoLopez-hg2uc]

Great vid again bro like always, happy holidays brother thank you for all your vids man look forward to the rest of em!

[@OjaiBonsai]

Merry Christmas. Thank you for all the great videos

[@jasoneverhart6813]

Great video. I did a similar process with my 1972 C10 swap to an LS with a TKX trans. I connected the trans to the engine and set the the engine, trans and driveshaft at 3 deg nose up, then secured my trans crossmember to the frame. I don't have a bagged suspension, but I also do not want components below the frame. Keep the videos coming. Huge fan.

[@philipclark6841]

Heck yeah dude! I’m so excited you finally figured it out. Who woulda guessed 6.2!

[@path4514]

Always good job Aaron!unlock all possibilities.merry Christmas to the garage fab nation

[@teejay622]

I pray that you and yours have had a Blessed Christmas my friend. Looking forward to the next few videos now that you're back to working on the Mighty Max. I've been enjoying all of your videos but I know you've been anxious to get back on the mini so I'm assuming this is your sweet spot. Keep em coming brother and as always, thank you for sharing your skills.

[@darrinfraser]

Great video sir! Have a Merry Christmas. See you next year.

[@tptrsn]

Another fantastic video, what a great Christmas present you gave us!! :)

[@craigm5511]

What a treat! I woke up here on Christmas morning (Australia) and was about to start slicing the ham in prep for our family get together today. Fired up the computer to put on some tunes and here's your video ready for me to watch it. It's like opening the first Christmas present for the day! Thanks for all you've shown us in the past year and if 2024 is the year you get a lift installed, I can't wait to see you keep moving forward...and upwards. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@GarageFab]

Haha! I’m thrilled to be a part of your Christmas, Craig. I hope it was a fantastic one. Probably no lift this year. Gotta obtain a small shop first. No way will I install even a small lift in the garage. 🙅‍♂️ 2024 will still be very very exciting. See you then!

[@craigfuller6187]

Great video. This came out really nice. I bought a set a transfer punches a couple years ago. Seems like I use once a month. I got the larger set also. Have a good Christmas and New years. Don’t make us wait too long for new videos.

[@Iowa599]

I sharpen my stepped bits (like Unibits, with straight flutes, not twisted) I use a sharpening stone for knives. Must have a good corner on the stone!

[@GarageFab]

Interesting! You run the bit backwards against the stone?

[@Iowa599]

@@GarageFab I can't figure out how to describe it, but I'll make a vid. All mine were smoked & I needed one, but I was in BFE & it was the middle of the night…then I had an idea & used what I had available. I'll upload the video in a couple hours.

[@Iowa599]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qojHiIOXqsSirsksi=XmLcSY55yy0RGCDT

[@kevinmiller8865]

Merry Christmas to you and you family

[@AdamKueflef]

Gotta love when you get to justify the horde. I love when i get to prove its is a good thing to keep every thing

[@ellismick3642]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[@JonathanWhoever]

The effort with the cross member was definitely worth it.

[@meganmilesreidmeganmilesre7372]

ManKandy so good to see you back again, looking forward to seeing you regularly in the new year. Glad to see you were first with the Christmas lights, so to speak. ...first at least by a couple of years now if I recall, they haven't been taken down in at least that long, lol. Keep up the Christmas Spirit!! All the best to your family.

[@davveberg]

Happy holidays Aaron!!

[@Down_To_The_Bone_Garage]

Nice! Merry Christmas Sir.

[@designandbuild3953]

Another great video! Merry Xmas to you too!

[@corinamagnusson6479]

Awesome as always Merry Xmas and yes there called Transfer punches👍

[@punkbomb1]

Glad to see the mighty getting some attention. Id also like tot ale this time to thank you for all your advice and help with my bagged s10 ftame thats going under my 57 d100 truck.

[@JasonNethers]

Looks good!

[@scotthultin7769]

Love you to cut that a quarter inch shorter and took a quarter inch off each side and put two plates on each side with four holes in it and bolted it back in there after you welded the plates on each side and then welded until you could have had a removable crossmember

[@robertrusso877]

Thanks for the Christmas gift! Can’t wait to see what you will do in 2024. Something to address (which you may have already) is capping off the 1/4” tube where you cut it to keep water and debris out and maybe spray the inside with some weldable primer! Cheers and happy holidays!

[@scottsprague9974]

Happy holidays.

[@UnconventionalMetal]

It’s amazing how far you can weld on fumes, and I agree I hate working under the car, but it saddens me to say that as a car guy.

[@GarageFab]

Haha! No shame it hating discomfort. Working in cars shouldn’t be a chore. 😩

[@faroironandcustoms6577]

Nice!!!! X2 on the lift!!!!

[@motoaz3963]

I buy cheap throw pillows at Goodwill. Saves the neck and back

[@williamherring5441]

A: You can’t do this until you finish that, to figure out the other thing. Wait a minute. You gotta clean the garage and make a storage solution and for your brother too! Add in four other things and the process repeats. That’s just like my garage…….Transfer punches are on my shopping list. KMF, wh

[@MotoDeSoto]

Merry Christmas!

[@jetink600]

Nice video dude. It sounds cheesy but your style is empowering lol. Like they really make me feel like i can go build sumn

[@user-nf3oq2ge3g]

Comments are turned off but you will know what I am talking about. When welding to cast. Pre heat to 500 degrees, then use high nickel rod. Like nickel 99 or 309 stainless rod. (680 utectic is the best. And most expensive) then after your weld is don’t no matter how pretty you must peen the weld or smash it in. So weld , take your torch and heat the weld again and take a air hammer and peen the shut out of it. Then let it cool as slow as possible. So cover it all up in some insulation and let it cool. Done deal. High nickel rod is used for welding of dissimilar medals and allows more flex and temp change between cracking. Also heat up the entire cast piece. And equally so it cools equally. And you should be golden. ( high nickel rod for the win.)

[@charlesloyd1970]

Brother I've put myself into predicaments while welding my frame crossmembers that it got me so damn mad that I took myself out back and whooped my own ass. I'm alright now and fully recovered lol. Merry Christmas to you and the family.

[@Thelemorf]

Its seems so easy building stuff on a vehicle with a frame, not having to worry about spreading load on a unik body vehicle.

[@magicman_metal_fab]

Merry Christmas brother 🫶🏻🫡

[@GarageFab]

A belated You too my friend! 🎄

[@turboflush]

Laying head down and blindly working. H😂😂😂 been there.

[@GarageFab]

Nothing brings out the impatient half-asser in me like discomfort.

[@robertoliver219]

Those "center punches" are called TRANSFER punches.

[@petem6291]

AAron , Thanks for making these videos, I had the same situation as you with refilling welding tanks a friend of mine said you know the difference between filling that little bottle you have(60cfm) and filling a man size bottle is 25 or 30 dollars more he told me to ask at the welding supply store what would it cost me to upgrade to a 240 cfm Cly it was 125.00 I traded in my small bottle and came home with the 240 cfm( they had a hundred of them ) now I have 4 times the amount of gas . I realize the laws are different in in every state with the bottles but what I do now is just keep the bottle chained in the corner and I got a longer hose on Amazon without the bottle on the back of the machine it is a lot easier to move around. it less top heavy. hopefully that helps you because I see a lot of welding in your future ... Pete

[@stevehamilton9418]

Yeah, 1/4” wall thickness is a bit of an overkill but, like aircraft frames, how about some holes in that crossmember to lighten it up? Or, remove most of the lower section of the square tube whereby it looks like an inverted U-shape, just to lighten it up a bit…just some food for thought from a fellow faber. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@James.Richter]

I use that same Klein angle finder. I always wonder how accurate it is. Seems that you trust it. That helps me trust mine a little more. 👌 It seems to pay off when you save got scrap pieces that take any decent amount of work to make. Thanks for the good content my friend.

[@Thelemorf]

Whats important is that it repeats the value, not the actual value itself, and thats easy to test. Atleast for setting up driveline angles and such.

[@GarageFab]

What he said! 👆 For most things, dead-nuts accuracy isn’t imperative. A few points out even a degree probably won’t bite you in regards to drive shaft operation. This same unit is often used in wheel alignments which requires significantly more accuracy so I think we’re good. Thank you for watching, James!

[@kevinmiller8865]

I like your heater

[@johnlow4949]

We use a baseball cap and cut the bill off to weld and cover the dome

[@scottwolfe8507]

They are transfer punches

[@paulgerrity6077]

Totally agree on the Astro drill bits. I have had a set for about 6 months and use the piss out of them. Can’t say any of them are dull yet but did break a few of the medium smaller ones(my fault). Bought a second set to have all sizes but would love to know if you find a single size bit source. Please post if you do.

[@joshcollins8770]

What are those drill bits?!? Also, great video, you put out great stuff my man!!

[@GarageFab]

Thank you Josh! I think I had two different types of hole makers in this video. One of them is called Hougen RotaCut Hole Cutters. They’re kinda pricey but worth every penny. Here’s a pair of associate links to the two specific sets I own… Small amzn.to/3guFEwJ Large amzn.to/3ukxxL5 Second, the stepped spiral bits are Astro bits from Amazon. They are incredible so far but I honestly haven’t had them long enough to know how long they last. Definitely worth the money so far. It’s really cool not having to drill a pilot hole for the large bits. amzn.to/45SuHMC

[@robpulda3363]

Transfer punch

[@tommyd2567]

Классно работаешь с металлом! Может быть, чтобы удобнее было работать под машиной, выкопать яму? Если позволяют коммуникации.

[@GarageFab]

Ха-ха-ха! Я не уверен, как это сработает, когда мы попытаемся продать дом.

[@tommyd2567]

@@GarageFabпокупателям можно сказать, что в яме можно хранить трупы врагов🤣

[@user-rw8zg4ow4f]

Love the channel. Giving me the confidence to do my own fabrication for my el Camino restomod. What brand of hole saw / cutter do you recommend? Whatever you're using seems to cut through plate pretty well. Thanks,

[@GarageFab]

Thank you my friend! 🙏 The ones I use most are called Hougen RotaCut Hole Cutters. They’re kinda pricey but worth every penny. Here’s a pair of associate links to the two specific sets I own… Small amzn.to/3guFEwJ Large amzn.to/3ukxxL5

[@turboflush]

I been eyeballing those drill bits for awhile. But i have same issue.. when yhey do wear out. How to sharpen? If you get off truck.. they are lifetime warranty, but you pay x3 more. I have in past put a steep angle on bits. Works good. In last years i cheat and use a drill doctor.

[@GarageFab]

Exactly. I first saw them in a Matco catalog. Wanted to try them but they were far too pricey. Happened upon the Astros on Amazon on accident and the ratings were great. At LEAST three times cheaper and the set is much larger. I’m just hoping they sell singles. 🤞

[@turboflush]

@GarageFab I have had decent luck with warranty of companies like that. Just takes awhile to do the exchange. If I know it will break.. I usually end up with a backup set to hold me over until I can replace the one piece.

[@0lddragracer426]

Blind hole punches

[@jdedmnds1]

Transfer punches.

[@GarageFab]

Yes! Thank you.

[@jdedmnds1]

your welcome any time.@@GarageFab

[@7daytheory110]

Merry Christmas Freaks. Do Minitruck things

[@mattweathers1619]

I got know why you don’t lift the truck up higher so you can maneuver under it a little easier

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

👍😊

[@1fastcolt]

glad ur back on the MM.. I just got my pinion gauge yesterday.. I have a question..does the truck need to be level?... or do I just need to match the angle number? if so then would putting it on jack stands under the frame be the best way to get it close?

[@GarageFab]

Nope! Level doesn’t matter. I think close to level left to right would be a good idea so you don’t have compound angles going on. But there’s no reason you couldn’t take your measurements on a slanted driveway. Your angle readings won’t be accurate but the trans and the differential will be equally inaccurate. 😆

[@1fastcolt]

@@GarageFab perfect thanks.. driveway is mostly level was just curious... gonna grab some metal in a few weeks and start on my 4 link design.. so will probably message u again on FB if I have any questions then... have a great Xmas and Happy Vegas New Year..

[@tommykj2]

I build lifted trucks, not slammed. With that I tend to work more with feet, not fractions when it comes to the ground clearance. So I may be wrong here, but I've yet to drive a road as flat and smooth as a stright edge. Wouldn't it be better to have everything you can above frame height, and not flush with it?

[@tommykj2]

I just wanted to add great video. I was actually looking for music to go work on my truck, and had to pause to watch this. How your gas lasted that long is mind blowing.

[@GarageFab]

“Better”? Yes! Absolutely. Certainly not every street surface is straight. So if you build everything flush you’re likely going to find a time when you set the truck down on a ridge, or for those that like to drag their trucks while driving, locate a rock! Flush is bare minimum for non-vital components. (Crossmembers, brackets, bolts.) Anything hanging down is an absolute no-go and must be addressed or it will get damaged or snagged. Vital components, (oil pans, fuel tank, exhaust) follow a different set of rules. Those should be mounted above flush age/or plated. Road debris is always a concern and driving low is a risk, but one should really try and avoid setting or scraping vital components. With all that said, pavement scrapers aren’t practical and aren’t intended to be. They require a lot of situational awareness and an acceptance that stuff is going to get damaged. The wise folks will attempt to mitigate as much risk as possible.

[@GarageFab]

Thank you, Tommy! 🙏

[@MIKE-rh3gj]

Transfer Punch

[@robbuchanan4870]

Do you have a link for those drill bits with the step tip?

[@DOUGLIFE-Caintmakethishitup]

Lmfao. I love how you’re so real. No bullshit. Under the truck sucks, been there so long I get uncomfortable under a lift. It is scary how much alike we are, or how exactly you replicate …ADHD? ADD? Whatever retarded attention problem I have. I convert the smaller bits to normal once they get bad, the bigger ones sharpen pretty decent with a cut off wheel. Steady hands. Lol.