side exit exhaust: removing cross member to get in?

hi guys new here, got an off roader defender which is pretty new to me.

got a new side exit exhaust to fit as the previous one was botched up by the owner before me, i have managed to get the old one out but the new one is a slightly tricker bore and doesn't seem to want to go in any way i try, i think i an going to have to remove the transmission cross member, my question is, is it safe to remove? am i going to have to put a block in there so it is not difficult to get back in? i have had a quick look and it looks to be around 4 bolts per side, so will get them wd40 up before taking off.

thanks

harry

Yes. Easy to remove, check for rust when its off. Nothing will go wrong if you do take it off, just remember to refit it.

great, thanks for the quick reply

When it's out, to put it back in you may need to use a bottle jack with a couple of blocks of wood to spread the chassis rails as its a tight fit

was going to put some 2x4 in before i take it out so i can just slide it back in hopefully

Yes, it's not unusual to have to drop the crossmember to get the exhaust pipe in. On some models it holds the gearbox up, so if that applies to yours you may need to prop the transmission. Plus I found with mine I'd got to take the anti roll bar and track rod down to get enough clearance to feed the downpipe up into the engine bay. You may not have an anti roll bar of course if yours is intended for maximum axle articulation.