I determined that the removed cross member needed to be shifter rearward about the width of the channel and I increased vertical clearance by dropping it down approx. 1/2". Tacked in place with the bolt in plates it provides good clearance to the transmission housing where the integrated clutch slave cylinder is located as well as the bottom of the transmission.
In parrallel I am working on installing the rear cab corner patch panels. The driver's side I needed to fabricate a replacment inner panel in addition to installing the outer patch panel. I still have some work to do but ready to move on to the passenger side.
