Crossed over from '67-'72 land and have a question about a manual to auto swap

[DA68]

This Spring I sold my '68 project and within two weeks, stole this great little 65 for $1,800, complete with roof lights and gun rack! It's an older restoration with a few patches, but it had new brakes, tires, a 3:73 posi and rebuilt 400 SBC. Since then, I've bagged the rear, straightened out some wiring issues and just have had fun with it. I need to finish the patina job, disc brake and bag the front, white wall the tires and replace the 3 speed, 'cause I've got some noise coming from it.
Being new to the '60 - '66 world and knowing the manual crossmember is much different than the auto member, my question is can I use/modify a '67 - '72 auto member or is there a better route. Finding the right year auto member, might be tough. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[aerotruk63]

Not an expert when it comes to your question, but I was talking to a guy with a 63 and he said he took the crossmember out of a 68 and put it in his.
More so, welcome to this series. Why did you change series?

[markeb01]

Welcome to our side!

[DA68]

I've always liked the '60 - '66 trucks, but was raised with '67 - '72's. I was at a point with my '68, where it still needed a good bit of money and time to complete, so I decided to sell. I wasn't really looking for an earlier truck, but when I went to look at this '65, there was no way I could walk away from it, for what the guy was asking. I also like the fact, that you just don't see as many of the earlier series trucks around and the lines are classic. So that's how I got here.

[aerotruk63]

According to the engineering books this series had the largest interior. Do you find it different from the 67-72?

[C/10 King]

I go both ways! The 67-72 forum and the 60-66 forum, for clarification purposes.

[MARTYZ]

I used the cross member from a 72 GMC to mount my 700r4 in my 66, no issues

[NEWFISHER]

Nice score. I used a CPP universal fit crossmember on the last one I did. Doesn't answer your GM donor question but is a great fit as an option if you don't find one and only $89.

[Chevy Fleetside]

The one in my 65 came out of a 68. It was a direct fit.

[Captainfab]

The factory auto trans crossmembers from '63 and up will interchange. The ones from the late '70's and up are a little different, but will work. Your '65 will have a small crossmember for the e-brake linkage and cables. That can still be used with some ingenuity, or you can simply convert to the '66-'72 cable assembly. The '63-'65 auto trans crossmembers had provisions for the e-brake assembly.

[DA68]

Glad you clarified C/10 King! Thank you all for the info. I do feel like the '65 is wider in the cabin.

[bj383ss]

Plus one on what the Captain said. My truck has a 700R4 and PO used the parking brake crossmember. Only advice is cut the old manual crossmember out before you install the auto as you will not be able to pull the pan off.

Mine was installed this way with no way to drop the pan. I moved the parking brake crossmember back far enough to allow removal of the pan. When I pull the cab off I am going to cut the old manual crossmember out.

Downside I have no parking brake.

Bret

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Plus one on what the Captain said. My truck has a 700R4 and PO used the parking brake crossmember. Only advice is cut the old manual crossmember out before you install the auto as you will not be able to pull the pan off.

Mine was installed this way with no way to drop the pan. I moved the parking brake crossmember back far enough to allow removal of the pan. When I pull the cab off I am going to cut the old manual crossmember out.

Downside I have no parking brake.

Bret

You can upgrade to the 66 style. It is all cable, you just need all the parts.

I cut my parking brake crossmember up and bolted the parts needed to the auto crossmember to get my brake back. I made a longer connecting bar so the cables would reach. It is crude but effectibe. If I am under the truck later this weekend I will take some pictures.