Need help with crossmember installation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mark B · 10-22-2012, 05:54 PM

How do you get a frame crossmember for an automatic set in place between the frame rails?

I am changing from 3 speed to auto and have removed the old crossmember for the bell housing. I have a automatic crossmember ready to go in. I am stuck because the crossmember is too wide (on its diagonal) to fit in place between the frame rails. How is it done?

thanks
Mark
1970 C10

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-22-2012, 07:20 PM

I have not run into a problem like this but I assume that the frame rails are too close together. What usually works is to put the cross member in and hit the end(s) with a rubber mallet to straighten it up and move it to the position that you need it to go.

If that does not work then I would suggest measuring the inside of the frame rails and compare to the overall width of the cross member. If the rails are too close together you should be able to set up a jack to spread the frame rails as needed.

Jim

Mark B · 10-23-2012, 12:38 PM

There is no way a hammer is going to bash the crossmember into position. What about removing the top flange portion and bolting it back together afterwards?
Mark

c10srule · 10-23-2012, 12:45 PM

i always remove the two small pieces and and just use the main body of the mount, have run plenty of big block automatics and sticks that way without any issue, on dads we trimmed a little off the ends to get the mount end, worked great

Mark B · 10-26-2012, 04:07 PM

Done. I figured it out and thanks to those who responded.

The crossmember is an assembly of three pieces. I knocked out the rivets to separate it into its three component pieces. The three pieces can go into the frame and be bolted back together.

Mark

**WIDESIDE72** · 10-26-2012, 10:03 PM

I had trouble getting an auto trans into a truck tha originally had a 6 spd/ 3 OTT due to the frame seeming to be too close. I used a high lift jack to spread the frame some.

sjarrett71 · 10-26-2012, 11:03 PM

I did that same swap and just hammered the crossmember in. Wasn't really all that hard.

cdowns · 10-27-2012, 04:52 AM

i've always just hammered them in place . an easy job really. clamping a 2X4 in the frame rail on one side so it stops movement and hammering it in on the other side. there is plenty of flex in these frames to allow for it to b done easily sand quickly

10-22-2012, 05:54 PM	#1
Mark B Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 145	Need help with crossmember installation How do you get a frame crossmember for an automatic set in place between the frame rails? I am changing from 3 speed to auto and have removed the old crossmember for the bell housing. I have a automatic crossmember ready to go in. I am stuck because the crossmember is too wide (on its diagonal) to fit in place between the frame rails. How is it done? thanks Mark 1970 C10

10-22-2012, 07:20 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Need help with crossmember installation I have not run into a problem like this but I assume that the frame rails are too close together. What usually works is to put the cross member in and hit the end(s) with a rubber mallet to straighten it up and move it to the position that you need it to go. If that does not work then I would suggest measuring the inside of the frame rails and compare to the overall width of the cross member. If the rails are too close together you should be able to set up a jack to spread the frame rails as needed. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

10-23-2012, 12:38 PM	#3
Mark B Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 145	Re: Need help with crossmember installation There is no way a hammer is going to bash the crossmember into position. What about removing the top flange portion and bolting it back together afterwards? Mark

10-23-2012, 12:45 PM	#4
c10srule Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oran,mo. Posts: 171	Re: Need help with crossmember installation i always remove the two small pieces and and just use the main body of the mount, have run plenty of big block automatics and sticks that way without any issue, on dads we trimmed a little off the ends to get the mount end, worked great

10-26-2012, 04:07 PM	#5
Mark B Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 145	Re: Need help with crossmember installation Done. I figured it out and thanks to those who responded. The crossmember is an assembly of three pieces. I knocked out the rivets to separate it into its three component pieces. The three pieces can go into the frame and be bolted back together. Mark

10-26-2012, 10:03 PM	#6
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Need help with crossmember installation I had trouble getting an auto trans into a truck tha originally had a 6 spd/ 3 OTT due to the frame seeming to be too close. I used a high lift jack to spread the frame some.

10-26-2012, 11:03 PM	#7
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Need help with crossmember installation I did that same swap and just hammered the crossmember in. Wasn't really all that hard. __________________ -Scott-

10-27-2012, 04:52 AM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Need help with crossmember installation i've always just hammered them in place . an easy job really. clamping a 2X4 in the frame rail on one side so it stops movement and hammering it in on the other side. there is plenty of flex in these frames to allow for it to b done easily sand quickly __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY



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