rebuild front end first or mount crossmember - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slikster · 05-09-2012, 04:47 PM

I have a cross member and suspension form a 78 to go into my 66. it is completely taken apart and was sandblasted and painted along with the frame. Would it be easier to put the cross member in then build the front end ot build it an install it as one piece?

gimmy 64 · 05-09-2012, 07:15 PM

it would be lighter and probably easier to handle not assembled.

chevy_mike · 05-09-2012, 07:51 PM

I did mine with the cross member stripped down. Made it easier to get all the bolts in, not having to work around the arms. Then mounted everything up.

63sbssbbw · 05-10-2012, 06:25 AM

Ditto for me for the same reasons as Mike discribed.
Now that its in,I can only imagine the grief of wrestling with it as a unit.
I did however,remove it from the donor truck('75) as a unit,with the ps box attached,and its HEAVY...lol an hour and a half to drop it out(no motor or trans)...and an hour and a half to get it in the back of my truck(by myself with a come along,jack all and lots of blocks).
The only issue I had was that I had to suck the frame rails in almost 3/4" to get the XM to slide in (This is normal)..2" ratchet straps (1 fore and 1 aft) looped around into itself got the job done.If you're going to swap your trans XM,nows the time to remove the original,it'll make it easier pulling the rails in if you have to.
T.
.
.BTW..Welcome to the board,Lots of good info and help here.

05-09-2012, 04:47 PM	#1
slikster Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: arlington tx Posts: 26	rebuild front end first or mount crossmember I have a cross member and suspension form a 78 to go into my 66. it is completely taken apart and was sandblasted and painted along with the frame. Would it be easier to put the cross member in then build the front end ot build it an install it as one piece?

05-09-2012, 07:15 PM	#2
gimmy 64 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: menifee california Posts: 788	Re: rebuild front end first or mount crossmember it would be lighter and probably easier to handle not assembled.

05-09-2012, 07:51 PM	#3
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: rebuild front end first or mount crossmember I did mine with the cross member stripped down. Made it easier to get all the bolts in, not having to work around the arms. Then mounted everything up. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

05-10-2012, 06:25 AM	#4
63sbssbbw UCA63 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lloydminster AB Can. Posts: 1,637	Re: rebuild front end first or mount crossmember Ditto for me for the same reasons as Mike discribed. Now that its in,I can only imagine the grief of wrestling with it as a unit. I did however,remove it from the donor truck('75) as a unit,with the ps box attached,and its HEAVY...lol an hour and a half to drop it out(no motor or trans)...and an hour and a half to get it in the back of my truck(by myself with a come along,jack all and lots of blocks). The only issue I had was that I had to suck the frame rails in almost 3/4" to get the XM to slide in (This is normal)..2" ratchet straps (1 fore and 1 aft) looped around into itself got the job done.If you're going to swap your trans XM,nows the time to remove the original,it'll make it easier pulling the rails in if you have to. T. . .BTW..Welcome to the board,Lots of good info and help here. __________________ member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)



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