Rear engine crossmember removal

[Captmatt]

Getting ready to install a auto trans behind my L6 motor. Trying to decide the best way to remove the rear engine/bellhousing crossmember. I would like to remove without damaging it. I don't have a lift so I will be working on my back with limited access and the motor in place. Looks like some of the rivets are going to be difficult to get at. Any suggestions from people who have accomplished the removal with out damage ? Should I just cut it out ? I don't mind a little extra work to save a 50 year old part if I can.

Any suggestions welcomed, thanks

[T.W.Dustin]

I ground my rivets off - 4 on each side. Since your cab is on (mine was off) you may have to try to drill out the top 4 from underneath.

[63burban]

There are plenty more mounts like this out there, cut it close to the frame with a sawzall.
I just removed the one in my Suburban, I cut it close to the frame so I could get more room, then used the sawzall to cut the heads of the rivets down so there was less rivet to grind off. My thinking on saving parts like this, I will never put it back into this truck. If I ever sell the truck it's somebody else's problem. I have a half dozen parts trucks with this mount and no one will ever want one, everyone pretty much just installs a rear cross member for a auto or 5 speed trans..

[Joe Pass]

I cut all that out also and fabbed the rear trans support. It easy to do

[Captmatt]

Originally Posted by 63burban

There are plenty more mounts like this out there, cut it close to the frame with a sawzall.
I just removed the one in my Suburban, I cut it close to the frame so I could get more room, then used the sawzall to cut the heads of the rivets down so there was less rivet to grind off. My thinking on saving parts like this, I will never put it back into this truck. If I ever sell the truck it's somebody else's problem. I have a half dozen parts trucks with this mount and no one will ever want one, everyone pretty much just installs a rear cross member for a auto or 5 speed trans..

Yes, your right. Nobody is ever going to want that part. It just pains me to toss old parts to the scrap pile. Guess I will save myself a lot of work and cut it out.
Thanks for the reply.

[Captmatt]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

I cut all that out also and fabbed the rear trans support. It easy to do
Attachment 1365073

Attachment 1365074

Wow, that is really nice. Hope to run into you sometime this summer

[Joe Pass]

Sure, I look forward to a meet.....If in Windsor give me a yell...Joe