Crossmember question. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jason65 · 07-17-2009, 12:48 PM

I converted my 65 C20 to 5 lug but still have the orignial cross member under it. I measured a 84 c10 crossmember and it was @1" narrower than my C20 frame. I have herd that the frame rails will bend to fit by simply lowering the frame onto the member. Has anybody done this?

MMM...BRAINS... · 07-17-2009, 03:06 PM

Not the same years, but i put a '72 C10 crossmember on my '60 C10 frame and yes the frame rails had to be "pinched" in about 3/4" total to fit into the crossmember. the core support was a tight fit but it did line up with front mounts. don't know that this is much help...

since then i have hacked mine to sh@t making my own crossmember in order to go low.

MMM...BRAINS... · 07-17-2009, 03:08 PM

btw,....all i did to make it fit was ratchet strap the front frame horns just enuff to make room. it was simple for my C10...not sure what the differences are between the C10 and C20 frames though...good luck.

Chris

jason65 · 07-17-2009, 10:37 PM

Thanks.

joe231 · 07-17-2009, 11:25 PM

didn't believe me did you?

PM Captainfab, i believe he has done a few

**N2TRUX** · 07-18-2009, 12:53 AM

Can you guys elaborate? I was under the impression that a 73-87 crossmember would swap in to a 63-66 frame with no trouble. Is this issue because it was a C-20?

joe231 · 07-18-2009, 09:55 AM

I believe the frames are all the same (between the c-10 and c-20) but some have had issues with the frame being a bit wider or a bit narrower, not sure if it was variances in production or what exactly. I know when I pulled the cross member off of our frame to begin the frame-up the frame kinda sprung out a bit. I have heard from multiple people that they have just squeezed the frame together or used the bolts on the cross member to pull the frame out to meet the cross member. It hasn't seemed to be much of an issue since the frames are rather flexible.

**N2TRUX** · 07-18-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks Joe. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't passing along bad info next time someone asks.

joe231 · 07-18-2009, 12:18 PM

jason65 · 07-19-2009, 11:10 PM

Then another question. Since I have 84 c10 spindles, steering linkage. Will 84 control arms bolt up to my 65c20 cross member? I know I'll have to get lower cross shaft cradles. I don't know if the bolt holes for the lowers are the same. I only want to do this for the bushing differance.

joe231 · 07-19-2009, 11:31 PM

I have heard different things about doing the arm swap.....some say they will bolt up, some say you will have to open existing holes and some say you have to drill new holes...........

07-17-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Crossmember question. I converted my 65 C20 to 5 lug but still have the orignial cross member under it. I measured a 84 c10 crossmember and it was @1" narrower than my C20 frame. I have herd that the frame rails will bend to fit by simply lowering the frame onto the member. Has anybody done this?

07-17-2009, 03:06 PM	#2
MMM...BRAINS... Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 136	Re: Crossmember question. Not the same years, but i put a '72 C10 crossmember on my '60 C10 frame and yes the frame rails had to be "pinched" in about 3/4" total to fit into the crossmember. the core support was a tight fit but it did line up with front mounts. don't know that this is much help... since then i have hacked mine to sh@t making my own crossmember in order to go low. __________________ "When in Rome we shall do as the Romans,...when in Hell we do shots at the bar."

07-17-2009, 03:08 PM	#3
MMM...BRAINS... Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 136	Re: Crossmember question. btw,....all i did to make it fit was ratchet strap the front frame horns just enuff to make room. it was simple for my C10...not sure what the differences are between the C10 and C20 frames though...good luck. Chris __________________ "When in Rome we shall do as the Romans,...when in Hell we do shots at the bar." Last edited by MMM...BRAINS...; 07-17-2009 at 03:08 PM.

07-17-2009, 10:37 PM	#4
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: Crossmember question. Thanks.

07-17-2009, 11:25 PM	#5
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crossmember question. didn't believe me did you? PM Captainfab, i believe he has done a few __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 07-17-2009 at 11:27 PM.

07-18-2009, 12:53 AM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Crossmember question. Can you guys elaborate? I was under the impression that a 73-87 crossmember would swap in to a 63-66 frame with no trouble. Is this issue because it was a C-20? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-18-2009, 09:55 AM	#7
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crossmember question. I believe the frames are all the same (between the c-10 and c-20) but some have had issues with the frame being a bit wider or a bit narrower, not sure if it was variances in production or what exactly. I know when I pulled the cross member off of our frame to begin the frame-up the frame kinda sprung out a bit. I have heard from multiple people that they have just squeezed the frame together or used the bolts on the cross member to pull the frame out to meet the cross member. It hasn't seemed to be much of an issue since the frames are rather flexible. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 07-18-2009 at 09:55 AM.

07-18-2009, 12:12 PM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Crossmember question. Thanks Joe. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't passing along bad info next time someone asks. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-18-2009, 12:18 PM	#9
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crossmember question. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-19-2009, 11:10 PM	#10
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: Crossmember question. Then another question. Since I have 84 c10 spindles, steering linkage. Will 84 control arms bolt up to my 65c20 cross member? I know I'll have to get lower cross shaft cradles. I don't know if the bolt holes for the lowers are the same. I only want to do this for the bushing differance.

07-19-2009, 11:31 PM	#11
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crossmember question. I have heard different things about doing the arm swap.....some say they will bolt up, some say you will have to open existing holes and some say you have to drill new holes........... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*



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