Anyone put in a dropmember without pulling the engine out?

[Jayschevy]

I have a 71 and was wondering if anyone has done this before. Can it be done?

[Tx Firefighter]

Some time in the past on here, Nathan said he had done it one time and he wouldn't ever do it again if he could avoid it, or words to that effect. I know of two guys who also did it on their trucks. Getting those bolts out from inside the frame rails is gonna make you frustrated for sure.

[lolife99]

I think it would be WELL WORTH THE TIME to pull the engine,... if not the front clip also.
That way you can detail the frame and run new fuel and brake lines around everything.

[Jayschevy]

Whats all involved with pulling the motor and tranny out?

[panhandler62]

A lot less that working around it.

You just need to disconnect the electrical connections, motor mounts, drive shaft, exhaust, fuel line and tranny crossmember bolts. If it's a manual you'll need to remove the shifter and clutch linkage. If automative; the shifter cable.

I would pull the front clip first (not as hard as it sounds and actually pretty obvious once you dig in to it.)

If you have a helpful friend you should be able to get it torn down in an afternoon (4 hours or so) -- OK, it can be done faster, but you want to go methodically and take notes along the way.

[tinydb84]

I have never regretted taking stuff further apart to make installation of something easier. I can pull and reinstall an engine in a day. I would pull the front clip too. I finally did it on mine and wish I did it months before. It is way easier than you think.

[earl84]

Here's a great thread of Hilandr changing out the crossmember without pulling the engine. He did pull off the front clip. It's not a dropmember, but all the same steps are involved.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=357610
I had mine apart to change the engine out among other things when I swapped crossmembers. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to attempt this without removing the engine and the front clip. After swapping mine, there is no way that I would even think about doing this with the front clip and engine in the way, none.

Edit: My brain failed to process the fact that you are working on a '71, but I think this will still give you a great idea of what's involved.

[PBFAB.COM]

Like others have mentioned, it CAN definitely be done, but might not be the "best" way to do it.

It might sound like extra work to remove the motor and trans, but if you are capable I would recommend doing it. It just makes it so much easier than having to work around the engine and trans.

Feel free to send me an email if you have any further questions. The tech email forwards straight to me.

tech@pbfab.com

Nate