FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / ZRay Cross Member

**Posted by Toploader** 4/06/2024 4:34 AM

I've ordered the ZRay crossmember. It will take a few weeks to arrive, but when it does, I will update everyone and give some feedback.
I ordered the option with the jack pad and really look forward to that being a place to lift the front of the vehicle.

**Posted by rpm** 4/06/2024 10:26 AM

I made my own engine crossmember (with a jack pad) to allow the motor to suit lower. I had seen the Shelby crossmember but didn't like its look. This was back before Zray was selling his, and I built mine from 1½ X .180 wall chromo tube for about a third of Zrays price. While I have used the jack pad it's more of a pita to drive the car on a couple of 2x6s to get it high enough to slide the floor jack in from the front. I usually jack from the front torque boxes.i also tied the crossmember into the LCA mounting bolt, which might help keep things in place.

**Posted by Don** 4/06/2024 11:24 AM

I put z/ray / w /pad on last month. Had to extend frame bolt holes on brace to 0.25 inch each side. Also be sure to use the correct bolts to frame.

Last edited by Don (4/06/2024 11:24 AM)

**Posted by Toploader** 4/06/2024 8:45 PM

RPM, aka Bearing Bob wrote:
I made my own engine crossmember (with a jack pad) to allow the motor to suit lower. I had seen the Shelby crossmember but didn't like its look. This was back before Zray was selling his, and I built mine from 1½ X .180 wall chromo tube for about a third of Zrays price. While I have used the jack pad it's more of a pita to drive the car on a couple of 2x6s to get it high enough to slide the floor jack in from the front. I usually jack from the front torque boxes.i also tied the crossmember into the LCA mounting bolt, which might help keep things in place.

I really look forward to the jack pad probably the most. So many times I've just wanted to lift the front quickly to do something.

**Posted by Toploader** 4/06/2024 8:48 PM

Don wrote:
I put z/ray / w /pad on last month. Had to extend frame bolt holes on brace to 0.25 inch each side. Also be sure to use the correct bolts to frame.

Nice! Did you notice much of a difference with it tightening up the front end?
Does the crossmember come with instructions?
I wonder if your front end was out of whack for you to be required to modify the bolt holes?

**Posted by Don** 4/06/2024 9:39 PM

Toploader wrote:
Don wrote:
I put z/ray / w /pad on last month. Had to extend frame bolt holes on brace to 0.25 inch each side. Also be sure to use the correct bolts to frame.
Nice! Did you notice much of a difference with it tightening up the front end?
Does the crossmember come with instructions?
I wonder if your front end was out of whack for you to be required to modify the bolt holes?

zray crossmember instruction are very detailed and mentioned hole might need adjusting. I didn't notice any improvement over stock brace but last year I did add a upper cowl brace over the stock set up. This added noticeable improvement to structure. Took car in for a correct radial tire alignment,, and now car tracks great and true at 70 mph. Having lower crossmember and upper support braces ties structure together.

**Posted by Toploader** 4/06/2024 9:50 PM

Don wrote:
zray crossmember instruction are very detailed and mentioned hole might need adjusting. I didn't notice any improvement over stock brace but last year I did add a upper cowl brace over the stock set up. This added noticeable improvement to structure. Took car in for a correct radial tire alignment,, and now car tracks great and true at 70 mph. Having lower crossmember and upper support braces ties structure together.

I have a 1" sway bar and the Montecarlo bar. I'm not too familiar with the upper cowl brace. Do you have a photo?
I tried fitting an export brace, but it interfered with the cobra air filter, so I'm sticking with the stock braces that Ford provided.

**Posted by Don** 4/07/2024 7:07 AM

Toploader wrote:
Don wrote:
zray crossmember instruction are very detailed and mentioned hole might need adjusting. I didn't notice any improvement over stock brace but last year I did add a upper cowl brace over the stock set up. This added noticeable improvement to structure. Took car in for a correct radial tire alignment,, and now car tracks great and true at 70 mph. Having lower crossmember and upper support braces ties structure together.
I have a 1" sway bar and the Montecarlo bar. I'm not too familiar with the upper cowl brace. Do you have a photo?
I tried fitting an export brace, but it interfered with the cobra air filter, so I'm sticking with the stock braces that Ford provided.

yep cowl brace = x port brace ,,, I bought one off cj poney, It came with hyme (SP?) joints because I couldn't get a factory x port brace to fit,,, tried everything, long story. I did lock down joints. Yep I did a engineering stucture analysis after all the noted on web issues of hyme joints movements. My car is a daily driver/hw cruiser. The spec limits/requirements I used are lower.

Last edited by Don (4/07/2024 7:17 AM)

**Posted by BobE** 4/07/2024 8:36 AM

Before I went to the MII front end, I'd lift the front end on the crossmember with a wooden block using two 3/4" plywood screwed together. The bottom piece fit into my floor jack, an top was cut in a 'V' shape that fit the crossmember, worked great, just saying.

**Posted by Nos681** 4/07/2024 8:48 AM

Surprised you did not just notch a hockey puck BobE.

I like the plywood idea too.

Last edited by Nos681 (4/07/2024 8:49 AM)

**Posted by rpm** 4/07/2024 10:42 AM

Toploader wrote:
RPM, aka Bearing Bob wrote:
I made my own engine crossmember (with a jack pad) to allow the motor to suit lower. I had seen the Shelby crossmember but didn't like its look. This was back before Zray was selling his, and I built mine from 1½ X .180 wall chromo tube for about a third of Zrays price. While I have used the jack pad it's more of a pita to drive the car on a couple of 2x6s to get it high enough to slide the floor jack in from the front. I usually jack from the front torque boxes.i also tied the crossmember into the LCA mounting bolt, which might help keep things in place.
I really look forward to the jack pad probably the most. So many times I've just wanted to lift the front quickly to do something.

With your 65 that sits higher, and no front spoiler, you shouldn't have any problems getting the jack under there.

Last edited by RPM, aka Bearing Bob (4/08/2024 9:59 PM)

**Posted by BobE** 4/08/2024 7:40 AM

Nos681 wrote:
Surprised you did not just notch a hockey puck BobE.

I like the plywood idea too.

All the hockey pucks I had are long gone. But, I have plenty of wood scarps hanging around!

**Posted by Toploader** 5/18/2024 12:44 AM

My crossmember arrived this week and next week I will fit it to the car.
Does anyone have any more in depth experience they want to share about how they went with fitting their ZRay crossmember? I am estimating that the job will take me 2 hours.
Thanks

**Posted by redj** 5/19/2024 6:55 AM

I have Z's crossmember with jack pad on my 66. Did you have success getting your original off without the nut turning or breaking the bolt? When I bought my car one bolt was already sheared off. Inside the engine bay there's a factory hole next to the internal nut/bolt location. It's a good spot to start soaking wit penetrating fluid if it's still on your car.

**Posted by Greg B** 5/20/2024 10:52 AM

I have always imagined doing something like a much stiffer cross member combined with strut arms similar to what is on a 1966 Thunderbird. Never got far enough to experiment if it could be done, but if it could you could have the Monte Carlo bar with the export brace on top, and a "reverse boltable" export type brace on the bottom that ties in the lower control arms and to the frame rails.

Would be pretty stout.

Last edited by Greg B (5/20/2024 10:54 AM)

**Posted by Toploader** 5/22/2024 5:22 AM

The ZRay crossmember is fitted and I'm glad I did the upgrade. It definitely reinforces the front end and I feel it compliments the Montecarlo bar and 1" sway bar.
Definite thumbs up from me 👍