auto tran crossmember

[Dano69c10]

Does the top riveted parts of the auto tranny crossmember really need to be there? I have a crossmember with loose rivets and was wondering if I could just remove those parts of the crossmember, since the bottom part is what really holds the tranny. Anyone running it this way?
Thanx in advance.
Dano

[Dano69c10]

Since no one has given a red-flag warning, I'm going for it! I'll post pics of the result.
Dano

[Dano69c10]

OK removed (drilled, ground, and punched out) the rivets that were loosely holding the top brackets of the crossmember
Got the rusty grimey crossmember cleaned with a stripper wheel and various wire wheels.
I was shocked that the rust and paint came off and it looks this good, but I still want to treat it with rust mort or naval jelly to make sure that rust does not pop back up.
I'm ready to paint this thing and utilize it in my 70 which needs a new crossmember mount.

Here's some pics;

[hayhauler71]

looks great dano

[qksilver]

Have to figure they put them on there for a reason...........braces so the frame doesn't twist under power or heavy use

[Dano69c10]

Originally Posted by hayhauler71
looks great dano

Thanx!

Originally Posted by qksilver

Have to figure they put them on there for a reason...........braces so the frame doesn't twist under power or heavy use

I was wondering the same thing until I saw the trans crossmember from CPP.
1960-72 Chevy Truck /Part #CP9427 Trans. Crossmember