Manual Crossmember

[72ShortboxManitoba]

This morning I pulled the old bull-low 4 speed out of my 72 shortbed, I have a 700R4 trans sitting on the floor waiting to go in. My question is do I have to remove the old stardard crossmember, it is the one that the bell housing bolts to and runs from frame rail to frame rail. It looks like it might be able to remain ( hard to tell till I lift it in).Has anyone done this swap and left the crossmember? And if so is the trans pan still removeable?

I think the crossmember gives the frame alot of support.

By the way as I sit here I can see it is starting to snow out, guess it almost garage season.

[roj2323]

snow lol sorry to here that.

back on subject:
personaly i just removed the crossmember. grind the heads off the ribits and pop them out with an air chisle or drill them out. this will provide clearance for lots of things including the shift linkage. the auto crossmember will add the strength that you want in your frame so don't worry about that.
also you didin't ask but i'll warn you. you will have to get your drive shaft cut for the 700r4. a driveshaft shop will cut it, balance it, and replace the ujoints and carrier berring for around $250.
hope this helps,
ondrew

[68w/sbc406]

Originally Posted by roj2323

... you will have to get your drive shaft cut for the 700r4. a driveshaft shop will cut it, balance it, and replace the ujoints and carrier berring for around $250....

wow. i got mine done for 175 with new yoke u joints and carrier bearing when i went from the 4 speed to the TH350

[Gee_Emm]

If you put in the auto cross member it will take the place of the manual crossmember support wise, unless you wanted some added frame support. Not sure if it will fit or not if you leave it, I would think that the inspection cover would hit it.

What I do know is that I had a hell of a time trying to get the manual crossmember off of my Jimmy frame considering I didn't have the body on the frame, it took me a couple hours to get it off. Those rivets stay in there pretty good. Kinda late now I guess but if you went with the 200-4r you wouldn't have to do any driveshaft modification.


PS, snow sucks. And to think that the Pony extended cruise night to this weekend since it is so nice out, I kinda don't think anyone will be there tonight.

[72ShortboxManitoba]

Thanks for the input guys I guess I will knock out the old crossmember (not looking forward to this as the truck is all together).

As for the drive shaft I will be going to a one pice driveshaft, I have one laying here that will be a close fit, I will known when I get the new trans in.

If I where to cut the old shaft to fit, the front half would be less than a foot and a half long to the carrier bearing.

Thanks again.

[Z28Owner]

You cant leave the crossmember in, when I did my tranny swap I just left the engine in and everyone on here says to drill out the rivits or grind them down. When I was under there I found no access to the top rivits, I believe there are 8 all together. Anyways I took a sawzaw and cut it off even with the frame.