Transmission crossmember change to auto.

[Mark B]

Can a crossmember salvaged from an automatic transmission truck be bolted into my truck without removing the cab? (I am changing my truck from a three speed to TH350).

thanks
Mark

[airdale94]

If it's a three speed (tail shaft mount) Saginaw I believe they are the same.

[71tahoe]

I'll say yes. I think the upper bolts have to go in from bottom unless they are real short but it will go with the cab on.

[CSGAS]

The tricky answer is yes.

You can bolt in the crossmember to hold an automatic up by the tailshaft, without pulling the cab off.

However (and here's the trick) removing the crossmember that holds the bellhousing for the 3-speed (which gets in the way of installing the automatic) will be difficult without removing the cab, unless you have an air chisel for the rivets. Getting at the top ones with a drill would involve going at them at an angle, and I shudder to think about doing them with a hand chisel and hammer.