[Blue68]

I really doubt you can get an auto in with the manual cross member in place. Auto trucks don't need it anyway. It's only 8 rivets to cut out.

The difference is that the manual mounts directly at the back of the engine and the automatic mounts at the rear of the automatic transmission.

Your best bet might be to crawl under your manual truck and take a gander at how things are set up then crawl under any automatic truck for a comparison.

The swap over isn't too difficult, but make a game plan and list of what you think you'll need, then go through it again. Don't forget about thinks like shift linkage, output yoke/shaft, and even the starter can be different.