c20 700R4 Transmission Crossmember - Bowler

[racerx8413]

Has anyone used the bowler transmission crossmember?

http://bowlertransmissions.com/p/97/1963-1972-c10-chevy-pickup-700r4-crossmember


I would love to reuse my existing holes, instead of drilling new ones 3 inches back.

[NewType72]

would love to know of any info on this crossmember since ill be doing this swap this december

[GMCJOE]

If I was you, just go thru gmcpauls.com and buy it. It is pretty much the same design. Plus you can argue with a $70 price tag and supporting a board vendor.

http://www.gmcpauls.com/auto.transmission.htm

[NewType72]

653253 This is a new style automatic transmission crossmember for the 1963-72 Chevrolet and GMC 2 wheel drive truck, Suburban, Panel, Blazer & Jimmy. This mounts in the factory location but allows the exhaust to be routed over the crossmember to allow custom exhaust applications. A must for enthusiasts looking to change their old 3 or 4 speed manual transmissions to a modern TH-350, TH-400, 200-R4 or 700-R4 automatic transmission, or for those with automatics wanting to install a custom exhaust system. Includes mounting hardware. Available in raw steel.*This item ships Oversized I and has separate shipping charges. $70.00

So it's just a universal crossmember and fits the 350 400 200r4 and 700r4?
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[GMCJOE]

Yeah, it will work will all of them as far as I know. The 700r4 and 200-r4 mount in the same positions. As do the th350 and th400. I think the way this one is set up is that you just face it which ever way you need it for the transmission you are running.

I haven't got one yet, but will be when I do my swap. The best person to answer your questions would be Paul. Give him a call, the number is on the site. The have great customer service.

[NewType72]

Ah now I get you didn't think about reversing it before. Thanks. An yes I've always heard good stories about Paul so I will definitely get ahold of him on this one
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[67c10rustbuket]

I have the GMC pauls xmember in my truck. Technically it is on the back porch and my truck is in a million pieces It lines up to existing holes in the frame although I will have to elongate the holes width wise but hey everytruck is a little different. My frame has 4 sets of holes in the trans mount area from the factory so I am assuming it would line up in other holes for other transmissions??? My truck has a '97 Vortec 5.7/4L60E trans. It fit very tight between my frame rails, dead blow hammer required for installation. After pounding it in I though maybe I should have bought the CPP version that only bolts to the bottom flange of the frame. You cannot turn the xmember around because the xmember would hit the trans pan. Here are a couple pics.

[NewType72]

looks good I'm assuming you have yet to put in the polyurethane bushing for the tranny to ride on my only question is the difference between my old block and 90's tranny is it similar in length to your newer motor and trans. also are you satisfied with the look of this crossmember? to me it seems kind of plain as I kept looking at it for myself maybe i shouldnt have looked at the tubular one first xD

[GMCJOE]

To me it is all about the functionality and price. I am not going to pay $200 for something I could make myself. $70, yes because it is cheap and I don't have to measure, cut, and weld it together after I purchase the metal. Either way, it serves the same purpose and my thoughts are I am the only one that will be looking at it. On an occasional basis at that Not many people crawl under a truck to see what cross member you are running.

[67c10rustbuket]

Originally Posted by NewType72

looks good I'm assuming you have yet to put in the polyurethane bushing for the tranny to ride on my only question is the difference between my old block and 90's tranny is it similar in length to your newer motor and trans. also are you satisfied with the look of this crossmember? to me it seems kind of plain as I kept looking at it for myself maybe i shouldnt have looked at the tubular one first xD

I did not have a mount in that pic because the 4L60E is a little larger than a TH350 and my cab supprts mounts were shot so the trans hit the floor. I have a high hump now and new body mounts on the way to solve that. My engine ('97 vortec 5.7) is still just a first gen SBC so the engine mounts the same as any old sbc but mine is fuel injected. The trans (4L60E or 700R4) mount position is 2" toward the rear from our period TH350. I think the xmember is plain jane but for the price vs me making one you cant lose. The tubular ones look much nicer but I am pretty cheap and more of a functional guy when it comes to chassis parts. Personally I would have just modified a stock one if I had one. If you want a cheap tubular one check out speedway motors, they have some nice universal ones that you need to cut/weld to fit your application. The Bowler piece looks very nice but too spendy for me.

Originally Posted by GMCJOE

To me it is all about the functionality and price. I am not going to pay $200 for something I could make myself. $70, yes because it is cheap and I don't have to measure, cut, and weld it together after I purchase the metal. Either way, it serves the same purpose and my thoughts are I am the only one that will be looking at it. On an occasional basis at that Not many people crawl under a truck to see what cross member you are running.

How did you get inside my head ?!? That is exactly my train of thought

[NewType72]

very true very true I'll continue looking around and deciding I have a long time before I can do my tranny and my rear end needs to be finished first anyway since the tranny is plenty solid for now

[GMCJOE]

It's called my pockets aren't too deep, so I have to build with common sense to get my truck the way I want it.

[Tinkermc]

$70. sounds good 2 me and I don't really care who wants to crawl under there and look at it

[GMCJOE]

Same here.

[NewType72]

Changing my way of thinking boys that's alright at this pout. The rear end iny truck is first priority then I'll focus on the tranny so who Knows by then I could save another week worth for the tubular thanks for the help though it's nice to see an actual install
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[racerx8413]

I ordered the gmcpaul's crossmember yesterday. Will let you guys know how that goes for the 700r4.

[GMCJOE]

Sounds good. Did you order the polyurethane mount that he offers too?

[NewType72]

Interested in knowing for sure man
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[racerx8413]

No bushings, i spent enough as it is. I picked up the blazer gas tank and kit, for putting the tank under the bed.