Hey guys im new here. i looked but couldnt find anything on this so hope yall can help. I just put my second flex plate in the truck. it cracked in three places. ive had the truck for two years and its been just over a year since i put the last one in it. Now let me cover some bases to help you guys figure this. yes i put lock tight on the crank bolts and the converter bolts. bell housing is nice and tight. motor and trans mounts are tight and good. i do have headders on it. its slightly lifted and on 33's. it likes to eat the u-joint closest to the trannsfer case on the rear drive shaft.

oh i was also recently told that some of the first gen trucks especially the 4x4 had some sort of brace that goe from the block to the trans. im thinking something like two strut bars one on each side? they were supposed to keep the motor and trans from twisting to much which would crack the exhaust manifold and possibly the flex plate to. Any truth to this? and if so does any one know where i can fid some, because thier gone off this truck lol

 

there should be some sort of brace going from the side of the engine block to the inspection cover area of the bell housing. i think both of my trucks have only had one but i think you might be able to install 2(1 on each side). the brace looks fairly universal to me.
the flatter side bolts to the side of the engine block and the end that looks like 90* angle is the side that goes to the trans.