Yep,hack and fab. Notched the sides for the pan rails and welded in some 3/8" plate,then cut out strips along the front and back of the cross member and welded the face the oil pan was sitting on back on to make the 'c' shallower.
probably didn't post a pic cause its not the prettiest
.I didn't want to lift the truck to clear an expensive crossmember or ditch it altogether and lose a lot of stiffness.
Since I'm getting called out on it I'll try and get a pic up when its light out.
I know what you mean about the rear tank I would if I had welded up the bed fuel doors before I painted it over a year ago if i'de known the project would get this carried away!as it is I can't bring myself to just screw on the aluminum doors with nothing behind them.
Are you close enough to the latest fire to get ashes falling on everything?its burned over 400 homes,pretty spooky.I spray the yard before I even use a grinder now it's so dry.