Doors and Windows - cripple studs

I am framing in a room opening (2x4) and adding a prehung double french door 48 x 80 (wood). My rough opening is 82 in. ht and 49.5 in wide. Here lies my problem! after adding my king and jack studs, I have enough room for my header. I have only a 1/4 inch remaining between the top of the header and the bottom of the upper frame. I have no room to alter the frame as the existing opening was preset and can not be altered. How important at this stage are the cripple studs and is there any way to by pass them since the space is not available?

So what you are saying is that you have 1/4" on top, but nothing on the sides? If so, I would take the jack studs out, rip them down to 1 1/4", then reinstall them. 1/4" on each side should be enough room to square the door up, provided your R.O. isn't whacky.

Actually, the square is not the issue. I have room to add my header but no room for the cripple studs which go between the header and the upper wall frame. According to everything I/ve seen, the cripple studs are necessary to assist in weight trancfer to uppre frame then to king studs and finally to base. But with a 1/4 inch to add cripple studs it would appear that they would be of no use and no assist in weight trasfer at all?

My mistake, I misunderstood your statement. In that case, I'd install the header clear to the top of your opening, and make your jack studs 1/4" taller. That way your header will provide full support for the top plate, and 82 1/4" is an acceptable R.O. height.

Thanks Xsleeper, I wasn't sure if that would hold water or not, but now, two of us think its a good idea!

If you've already nailed it all in place, just tap some 1/4" spacers where the cripples would have been and tack them in place.