Does anyone what this part(s) is called

[Shugalou]

It is underneath the wood bed on a 78 stepside.
There are two brackets and a main support. I called LMC after searching the catalogue and they didn't know.

Your help is much appreciated!

[mongocanfly]

Looks like rust...or maybe part of the crossmember..like a frame rail brace..it resembles my trans crossmember but that looks like rivets where mine is bolted

[Gmc.guy]

Yes. That's a crossmember. I would drill the rivets out and remove it, or take a hammer and tap away at it before you try to find another one to replace it. Most of it will flake away. You will not find a new one that is reproduced. I'd bet that the frame is awfully thin where it attaches.

[Shugalou]

Thanks Mono yeah lots of rust for sure. When I called a local supplier he said my frame is trash and I should look to replace it...he told me sell the truck and take my wife on a holiday Ha ha.

It's not the trans crossmember - that has already been replaced. It is just past that towards the rear of the truck.

When I search cross member, bed support, frame nothing is coming up

[Shugalou]

GMC guy, yeah it is thin. I'll be looking to have it fixed over the summer, I don't have the space or patience to swap frames.

[Gmc.guy]

My 74 gmc was like that too but the spring hangers were like that too. It was nice from back of the cab forward. I took a longbed frame and spliced the two together similar to how they shorten a longbed. I had it that way for about ten years. I found another frame and started swap and bodywork about a year ago. Might be an option for you even if temporary.

[Shugalou]

GMC guy, I spoke with a hotrod shop about this issue this morning and they reassured me that I didn't need to swap the frame and that they could weld in reinforcements. I'd rather go this route provided it does the job, I would like to eventually swap onto a mint powercoated frame and maybe it will take me 10 years to get there, but currently my garage/budget isn't big enough.

And yes you are correct it is a rear crossmember and no they aren't reproduced anymore. Searching ebay now.

[Gmc.guy]

You bet That's the way to go if the rest is ok. Mine was wasted all the way back. This is where I was around last May. Wish I had pics of the old bed and frame back in the day. It was pretty rough.

[Gmc.guy]

This truck has 2 piece driveshaft so there is a full crossmember at the rear cab mounts instead of the single mount on each side

[Shugalou]

gmc guy re you talking about the support between the rear cross member and the tranny cross member?

[Gmc.guy]

Yes. You can see the loop from the old carrier bearing that I should have taken off before I painted the frame. Haha. I swapped it from my old frame to this one

[Shugalou]

I see it now, I thought it was something holding up the frame at first, mine is a one piece drive shaft so that is one less piece to replace I guess.

BTW nice frame

[Gmc.guy]

Thanks. It looks better than that. It has rain on it in this picture

[Shugalou]

I just found this example from porterbuilt - I wonder if this would fit...I'm gonna call and find out some info, if so this might do the job and for 100 bucks sounds decent.

http://pbfab.com/73-87-rear-frame-crossmember

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

Just saw this on CL. Exactly what the Dr. ordered. Not mine, but definitely would help your situation!

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/5987207769.html

Mike

[Shugalou]

Yeah that would be sweet but it's way to far for me. Ironically enough two weeks ago there was a shortbed frame for sale close to me for 300 bucks but I don't have the space.

I think I'll be going to the repair route for now.