Intermediate trans crossmember differences

15 years ago I got a REALLY rusty POS '74 CJ5 from a buddy. Motor was locked up and the swapped in Dana 27 was blown up. (Dana 27?) But the price was right. Then 2 years ago, I got a screaming deal on a '75 CJ5 with transmission and t-case missing. Ran, but couldn't drive. To make a short story even longer... a friend of mine bought the '75 jeep and all the parts and as we attempt to put it all together we find some differences.

The black painted crossmember, and the skid plate with the most holes both came off the T15/Dana 20 in the '74. The cruddy looking crossmember that goes to top and bottom of frame came from the '75. The '74 setup will not line up with the holes in the '75 frame. The '75 is at his house, and the '74 at the farm so I can't look at them myself so I'm hoping somebody here can help out with what stuff we have. Is the more complicated crossmember from T18 setup? My guess is no because there was the shift tower and top to a T15 in the back of the jeep. But who knows? Advice?

 

75 crossmember was unique.
Jeep has a history of finally fixing or correcting things the last year of a particular model...

 

I guess we just need to put it all together and see what will work.

 

While you probly can make this work somehow, I for one didn't really care for the setup on my 75. Eventually the cross member became mangled and was always hanging up on something or the other.. The OEM tranny mount is IMO rather cheesy and a weak spot. I installed a T18 in mine and used the OEM mount for a few years, until it got really beat up. Then I fabbed a new mount out of 3/8" plate, using the OEM mount.. Better but still a problem with the tranny mount tearing up.
My final solutions was to install a new cross member using a universal kit I got at Dave's Customs in Az. There is also a place in Oregon, I believe, That also makes one.. I like this setup much better..

 

Thanks for that advice. For now I think it goes together as-is since there are some other things it needs.