Correct Crossmember?

[PNW_Square]

I 've torn my truck down to start a rebuild and it doesn't look like the transmission crossmember is correct for the frame. The truck is an '80 - 1/2 ton - 2wd.

The crossmember is only bolted to the bottom flanges of the frame rails, although there are also four holes in the upright portion of the crossmember for bolts. The frame rail only has two holes in the side for bolting the crossmember, but they line up with the crossmember's upper row of holes.

In addition it appears that the crossmember is too wide for the frame as there is a 3/8" gap between the frame and the upright portion of the crossmember. The frame measures 34" wide at the crossmember. Any ideas? Here's a couple of photos.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Looks fine to me
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[bigblock73]

You are missing the loop that goes underneath the right side. As far as the width, the frames tweak a little when supports are moved, bolt up the crossmember and snug it down, it will fit just fine.

[Malo83]

Maybe it's time for a trailing arm conv kit was thinking of this when I rebuild mine
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...iling_Arms.htm

[PNW_Square]

Thanks for the responses. Now that somebody mentions it, the missing brace on the right side is obvious. Is that brace the same for all '73-87's or are there only certain years that will fit?

[chevybuilder18]

i have the same cross member. i have had an issue with headers for a camaro in my truck clearing this, so i went over it, and the length of the header force me to conjure up a pipe that went at a solid 70 degrees up right at the member, and then down with a 45 and a 1/4 bend to pull a straight flush exhaust. it was pretty wild, truck enjoyed this a lil side pipe adventure. i wish they made dual exhaust cross members with the dual humps for clearance of exhaust going under the members. the wierd thing is mine had a big braket on the passenger side with a bunch of bolts holding it. looking to swap in an s10 cross member for a manual trans. those got the right clearances. but are these wide enough to bolt on the rails of the frame?

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by chevybuilder18

i wish they made dual exhaust cross members with the dual humps for clearance of exhaust going under the members.

They did. They were on all 73-76 half tons and some of the later cat free trucks. I picked one up from a junkyard for my 77. Makes your header/crossmember problems go away instantly.

...or you could just have a custom tubular crossmember made.

[frog210]

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

They did. They were on all 73-76 half tons and some of the later cat free trucks. I picked one up from a junkyard for my 77. Makes your header/crossmember problems go away instantly.

...or you could just have a custom tubular crossmember made.

That would explain why my 74 has to humps on the cross member thanks for the info, if only you could have told that to the po because my drivers side goes under the hump and the passenger side goes over the hump

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by frog210

That would explain why my 74 has to humps on the cross member thanks for the info, if only you could have told that to the po because my drivers side goes under the hump and the passenger side goes over the hump

Yeah, I didn't want to have to have any crazy bends in the exhaust, that's why I picked up the other crossmember. Makes for a nice, clean install.

[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by frog210

That would explain why my 74 has to humps on the cross member thanks for the info, if only you could have told that to the po because my drivers side goes under the hump and the passenger side goes over the hump

some serious stuff there frog. who done that exhaust?