crossmember swap help

[1963c-10]

I plan on starting to rebuild / restore my donar crossmember from the 64 into my 63. Rebuild will include everything but reusing the original a arms and upgrading to disk brakes. My question is......the 64 is shimmed differently (more shims) on the 64 than my 63 currently is. What is my reference point for shims here? Do I shim it the way it is in the 64 frame of do I shim it they way my 63 sits now? Any help is appreciated.

[Sharps40]

If yer talkin the Crossmember from Ol John Lee and I think ya are....

That truck had at least three solid hits in its life. Once on the passnegerside rear that bent the panhard bar.

Once on the Driver side front that bent DS front frame arm and split the DS front fender.

And finally an oblique frontal assault at combined closing speeds over 50 mph that caved in the DS frame under the bracket, split the frame at the upper rear of the control arm bracket and moved the engine up/PS frame rail out.

Just prior to the accident that finished Ol John Lee and sent him to the parting out graveyard, I rebuilt the suspension and had it realigned. Extra shims were needed on both sides but especially on the DS due to the second hit mentioned above.

You are seeing an unusual number of shims that were needed on the upper a arm shaft to correct alighment back to spec with the dented and bent frame arm on the DS. It worked and rolled wonderful but then the Aliens got John Lee and bent him so far he couldn't be economically straigntened! I don't think there is enough length of bolts to stack corrective shims on the DS upper now!

I would rebuild as you indicated, check the control arms closely for straightness. Then when you roll the 64 under the 63, I'd shim it using your current driver (the 63) as reference and tow or drive slow to the alignment shop for proper set up. Useing Ol Jonn Lees shim stacks as reference will have ya way off as yer 63 frame prolly ain't anywhere near as bent!

[1963c-10]

Thanks Rich. That's the front crossmember I was going to use. The crossmember looks ok. Ive been all over it with a straight edge. I'll know better once its out and off the frame. I figured that's probably why there were so many shims.

[Sharps40]

I agree. The crossmember never moved or bent. And the PS frame rail was pretty close to straight even after the frontal. I believe all the control arms will be fine too, there were no obvious wrinkles or bends, the frame just moved up and in popping the engine off the mounts.

Glad yer usin all new joints and spindles though, discs will be pretty much mandatory with that big block!

[1963c-10]

Oh yeah....I wouldn't put the big block in without them. I'll check the a arms real good, as I have the set off my 63 if there is any question about them.

[1963c-10]

Is there any way to install the springs with the crossmember out of the truck or should I just reassembly the crossmember and install the springs once its back in the truck? I'm only familiar with the usual route while its installed in the truck. I have big block springs to install, which will probably take a little more to compress than the old tired 6cyl springs coming out.

Is a spring compressor an option here? Im in unchartered grounds for me, so any help is appreciated.

[Sharps40]

I would use a spring comperssor befor rollin it under. The truck weight will do it but ye'll be on a jackstand when runnin the first one in and a greater risk of the truck fallin ti one side.