Front Cross Member Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kopper · 06-29-2005, 04:15 PM

I'm installing drop spindles and a PSC front end kit in my 81 pickup. I removed the upper and lower control arms and I'm going to have them sandblasted and painted. I'd also like to sandblast and paint the front cross member. I was wondering if the motor mount brackets (the ones between the frame and crossmember) will support the motor with the crossmember out, or do I have to support the motor?

Slonaker · 06-29-2005, 04:24 PM

If I recall correctly, the bottom of the motor mounts attaches to the crossmember and the top attaches to the frame. I would not trust the mounts to hold the engine up by themselves, but you may decide otherwise.

Slonaker

bodydropped · 06-29-2005, 04:25 PM

yea they mount to the frame a cross member

**Captkaos** · 06-29-2005, 07:08 PM

No, you can't remove the crossmember without removing the engine.

Kopper · 06-29-2005, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Captkaos (or anyone else) - do you think that I would be able to support the engine and remove it? I had a look at it today and there are a couple of bolts that would be a little tricky but I would attempt to take those out first.

86 GMG · 06-30-2005, 09:45 AM

more than likely the frame will twist and maybe even buckle if member is removed imo

**Captkaos** · 06-30-2005, 02:59 PM

The engine hangs below the frame rail, so I don't think you could support it unless it was supported from the floor/ground. Without the crossmember there, nothing will be holding it up except for the bolts on the top of the frame. So, no I don't think you can.

Kopper · 06-30-2005, 04:43 PM

Thanks for the info Chris. I checked out your site and see that you speak from experience when it comes to front crossmembers.

I'll have a look at supporting it from the ground, if it's going to be too much work I'll give up on the idea. I just thought it would be nice to sandblast and paint the crossmember along with all the front suspension pieces.

**Captkaos** · 06-30-2005, 06:25 PM

Yeah, I have played with a few of them.

Kopper · 07-10-2005, 10:01 PM

I was able to take the crossmember out without too much trouble. I was surprised that there wasn't more weight on the bottom side of the motor mount brackets that attach to the crossmember. I just jacked the engine slightly, removed the crossmember bolts, a few of them were a PITA with the engine in place, dropped the crossmember, then put a support in place under the engine mounts.

I'm working on the truck at the cottage and keep forgetting to take the digital camera with me. Next time out I'll try and remember and get a few pics.

06-29-2005, 04:15 PM	#1
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Front Crossmember Question I'm installing drop spindles and a PSC front end kit in my 81 pickup. I removed the upper and lower control arms and I'm going to have them sandblasted and painted. I'd also like to sandblast and paint the front cross member. I was wondering if the motor mount brackets (the ones between the frame and crossmember) will support the motor with the crossmember out, or do I have to support the motor? Last edited by Kopper; 06-30-2005 at 10:29 PM.

06-29-2005, 04:24 PM	#2
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	If I recall correctly, the bottom of the motor mounts attaches to the crossmember and the top attaches to the frame. I would not trust the mounts to hold the engine up by themselves, but you may decide otherwise. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

06-29-2005, 04:25 PM	#3
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	yea they mount to the frame a cross member __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

06-29-2005, 07:08 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	No, you can't remove the crossmember without removing the engine. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

06-29-2005, 08:44 PM	#5
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Thanks for the responses. Captkaos (or anyone else) - do you think that I would be able to support the engine and remove it? I had a look at it today and there are a couple of bolts that would be a little tricky but I would attempt to take those out first. Last edited by Kopper; 06-29-2005 at 10:30 PM.

06-30-2005, 09:45 AM	#6
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	more than likely the frame will twist and maybe even buckle if member is removed imo __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

06-30-2005, 02:59 PM	#7
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	The engine hangs below the frame rail, so I don't think you could support it unless it was supported from the floor/ground. Without the crossmember there, nothing will be holding it up except for the bolts on the top of the frame. So, no I don't think you can. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

06-30-2005, 04:43 PM	#8
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Thanks for the info Chris. I checked out your site and see that you speak from experience when it comes to front crossmembers. I'll have a look at supporting it from the ground, if it's going to be too much work I'll give up on the idea. I just thought it would be nice to sandblast and paint the crossmember along with all the front suspension pieces. Last edited by Kopper; 06-30-2005 at 10:30 PM.

06-30-2005, 06:25 PM	#9
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Yeah, I have played with a few of them. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

07-10-2005, 10:01 PM	#10
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	I was able to take the crossmember out without too much trouble. I was surprised that there wasn't more weight on the bottom side of the motor mount brackets that attach to the crossmember. I just jacked the engine slightly, removed the crossmember bolts, a few of them were a PITA with the engine in place, dropped the crossmember, then put a support in place under the engine mounts. I'm working on the truck at the cottage and keep forgetting to take the digital camera with me. Next time out I'll try and remember and get a few pics.



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