any advice on removing crossmember for 3 speed?

[Joe T]

i am swtiching to an automatic, anyone know the best way to get the crossmember for the manual tranny out? the bottom rivets can easily be grinded off and punched out, bu the top ones are going to be a tight squeeze for fitting a grinder in there and punching them out.

anybody just cut it out with a reciprocating saw? thanks!

[Shyguy]

Very good question. We are converting two trucks to automatics from sticks in the future. Both are high hump trucks also.

I am not sure which we we will go yet. I have heard that some people cut them and others remove the rivets with a air chisel.

[specialtyretail]

Man, let me tell you from a couple of weeks ago at our shop. Air chisel is NOT the way to go. Get a torch and blow the bad mamajammers out. So much quicker and easier on the ears.

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by specialtyretail

Man, let me tell you from a couple of weeks ago at our shop. Air chisel is NOT the way to go. Get a torch and blow the bad mamajammers out. So much quicker and easier on the ears.

cool, thanks for the tip. i got a plasma cutter, maybe ill try that. should i worry about the sparks igniting anything?

[specialtyretail]

Just keep a wet rag and maybe a spray bottle handy.

[sjarrett71]

Mine was originally an auto switched to a stick by someone. I swapped it back to an auto and had to remove the stick crossmember which was bolted in. I removed the bolts but the darn thing still wouldn't budge! I ended up cutting it down the middle and removing it in two sections.

[71meangreenc10]

If you get the bottom ones out of the frame, remove the bottom ones at the center of the crossmember and the end lower pieces will come out and give you some room to get to the top rivets.

Smitty

[rsavage]

A much easier job with the engine and tranny out. I did it on my Burb and it was a tedious job as the engine remained in. Used angle grinder when I could and air chisel, sharpening the chisels often as I do not have torches. I also did what 71meangreenc10 suggested both on removal of the stick crossmember and the installation of the new auto crossmember. Used grade 8 1/2 " bolts to bolt the pieces together. Makes getting it between the frame rails easier when you are dealing with one set of crossmember ears at a time. The rivets drive out easier once the head is sheared off if you can drill through the center of them too. Watch your gas and brake lines on the left inside of the frame when you remove and install the crossmembers. Have fun.