Does the Transmission Cross Member Come Out?

[Gregski]

Guys on a '74 GMC 1/2 ton V8 350 Muncie SM465 4spd is it possible to remove the transmission cross member out of the frame rails in order to paint it?

Mine does not look like there is another wiggle room to remove it, is there some sort of trick. This is with the cab and bed on the truck still, transmission and drive shaft removed.

Thank you

Greg

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Guys on a '74 GMC 1/2 ton V8 350 Muncie SM465 4spd is it possible to remove the transmission cross member out of the frame rails in order to paint it?

Mine does not look like there is another wiggle room to remove it, is there some sort of trick. This is with the cab and bed on the truck still, transmission and drive shaft removed.

Thank you

Greg

Yes they come out. The cross member is made up of 3 pieces the main Bar and 2 supports. You have to remove the supports first. Then the cross member itself comes out easy. There are a ton of bolts to take out and the upper bolts that attach to the top frame rail are a PITA due to the floor of the cab being like a 1/2 inch from the frame on the C series

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Titomars

Yes they come out. The cross member is made up of 3 pieces the main Bar and 2 supports. You have to remove the supports first. Then the cross member itself comes out easy. There are a ton of bolts to take out and the upper bolts that attach to the top frame rail are a PITA due to the floor of the cab being like a 1/2 inch from the frame on the C series

Thanks, I got the bottom brackets off and all the bolts loose / off, but it just won't angle right to slide out

[greg64]

Greg, I wonder if your frame rails are twisting a bit, making the the crossmember a tighter fit then it would otherwise be? If you think so, you could take some pressure off by jacking a bit under the front two body mounts.

[Jake Wade]

Yes, they come out.

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Thanks, I got the bottom brackets off and all the bolts loose / off, but it just won't angle right to slide out

Try tilting the main member up on end and down on the other that should make a bit more clearance to get the member out.
If it is that tight i would trim a bit off each side.... say a 1/4 inch