Transmission cross member. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ozzy2013 · 08-09-2014, 11:56 PM

Hey guys help me out i have a 68 GMC i am converting to big block 5 speed manual.Its 6 cyl 3 speed manual .So i climb under the truck and the Trans crossmember is riveted to the frame!So how to cut the top rivets off with the body in the way?Thanks Oz

**LockDoc** · 08-10-2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzy2013

Hey guys help me out i have a 68 GMC i am converting to big block 5 speed manual.Its 6 cyl 3 speed manual .So i climb under the truck and the Trans crossmember is riveted to the frame!So how to cut the top rivets off with the body in the way?Thanks Oz

Are you sure you need to remove it? Can't you use it for the BB/5 speed setup?

LockDoc

Ozzy2013 · 08-10-2014, 12:28 AM

Looks awful hard to get the old trans out its a 3 speed manual my 5 speed is a nv4500 to heavy to be trying to shove this 250lbs tranny around it looks like a bolt in crossmember is in my future just don't know how i'm going to get the top rivets out.These nv4500 are very tall also .I couldn't find any 2wdrive conversion builds .

hugger6933 · 08-10-2014, 09:57 AM

Die grinder if you have the clearance or chisel the heads of course you knew that. A auto crossmember is what you were planning for right?

colgad · 08-10-2014, 10:52 AM

I used a cutoff wheel to cut an X in the head then a Air chisel to pop the head and the Air Chisel to push the rivet out of the frame. Not my idea of a good time.

I would like to know how you like the 4500 (once you get it in). i would like to swap out my granny 4 speed in my C50 for a 4500 someday.

**WIDESIDE72** · 08-10-2014, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Are you sure you need to remove it? Can't you use it for the BB/5 speed setup?

LockDoc

With a 6cyl /3sold combo, there isn't really a trans cross member, just the mid mount one at back of engine. They are a bear to remove with cab on. I did one years ago with a "hot wrench". Last one had the cab off. Bought a parts truck once with a v8 conversion. PO just torched enough to get the engine I. Looked like ass. I sold the frame as is. New owner was gonna clean it up.

**michael bustamante** · 08-10-2014, 06:08 PM

Remove the lower brackets first. This will give you acces to x and chisel off the rivit heads on the upper ( main ) ctossmember. I just did this myself. Use an air chisel if you get a chance

Ozzy2013 · 08-10-2014, 08:25 PM

Thanks for all of the answers i will take it out from the bottom i was scratching my head on this one!

08-09-2014, 11:56 PM	#1
Ozzy2013 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Elkton Posts: 693	Transmission cross member. Hey guys help me out i have a 68 GMC i am converting to big block 5 speed manual.Its 6 cyl 3 speed manual .So i climb under the truck and the Trans crossmember is riveted to the frame!So how to cut the top rivets off with the body in the way?Thanks Oz

08-10-2014, 12:28 AM	#3
Ozzy2013 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Elkton Posts: 693	Re: Transmission cross member. Looks awful hard to get the old trans out its a 3 speed manual my 5 speed is a nv4500 to heavy to be trying to shove this 250lbs tranny around it looks like a bolt in crossmember is in my future just don't know how i'm going to get the top rivets out.These nv4500 are very tall also .I couldn't find any 2wdrive conversion builds .

08-10-2014, 09:57 AM	#4
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Transmission cross member. Die grinder if you have the clearance or chisel the heads of course you knew that. A auto crossmember is what you were planning for right?

08-10-2014, 10:52 AM	#5
colgad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 838	Re: Transmission cross member. I used a cutoff wheel to cut an X in the head then a Air chisel to pop the head and the Air Chisel to push the rivet out of the frame. Not my idea of a good time. I would like to know how you like the 4500 (once you get it in). i would like to swap out my granny 4 speed in my C50 for a 4500 someday. __________________ 1967 Red, C10 Short Bed 6.0L T5 5 speed 1967 Orange and Black C50 6.2 Detroit Diesel NV4500, 2 Ton Pickup 1972 White, Chevy Blazer 2WD 67 Dog house 5.3 4L65 2016 Power Tour LH 1955 Red-Cream, Chevrolet Nomad, restoration on hold 2004 Black, Corvette Z06 LS6 convertible (Rock solid Fun) 2011/2018 Power Tour

08-10-2014, 06:08 PM	#7
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: Transmission cross member. Remove the lower brackets first. This will give you acces to x and chisel off the rivit heads on the upper ( main ) ctossmember. I just did this myself. Use an air chisel if you get a chance __________________ 1967custom

08-10-2014, 08:25 PM	#8
Ozzy2013 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Elkton Posts: 693	Re: Transmission cross member. Thanks for all of the answers i will take it out from the bottom i was scratching my head on this one!



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