Tranny Crossmember

[overtimeracing]

Hey guys...I've been looking for a thread on this already, but cant seem to find one. For those that know me, know that I had recently built an 87 Trazer with my son. He took that truck back to Camp Lejeune with him, and the day he left, I lost all interest in the 63 Trazer I was building for myself. It is currently for sale. But I couldn't take it! I went out a bought a 65 c10, 6cly, three on the tree, short box. I will be installing a small block and either a th350 or a 200r4. There are 3 crossmembers. Engine, tranny, and parking brake mounting. Do I cut out the second crossmember? Do I use a crossmember from a 73-87 2wd, and if so, what do I do with the parking brake crossmember? I would like to keep the parking brakes. Thanks for all your help!! Kevin

[kieth]

I would try and convert it to 66 e brake cable, this will make it a lot simpler when you are moving things around. ? why a 200r4, the 700r4 would be easier to find and simpler to rebuild and give you a lower 1st gear ratio ?

Kieth

here is a picture of the 66 e brake set up, it eliminates the attachment to the crossmember:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...7236&k=v4Rpz77

Here is another shot:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...4536&k=Kd8Z3KK

[padresag]

there is also the stock 66 a/t crossmember which has the emerg hook-up


which I have
ron

[overtimeracing]

Thanks for the replies! The old crossmember bolted to the tranny closer to the bell housing. This one needs to be removed, correct?

[overtimeracing]

Originally Posted by kieth

I would try and convert it to 66 e brake cable, this will make it a lot simpler when you are moving things around. ? why a 200r4, the 700r4 would be easier to find and simpler to rebuild and give you a lower 1st gear ratio ?

Kieth

here is a picture of the 66 e brake set up, it eliminates the attachment to the crossmember:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...7236&k=v4Rpz77

Here is another shot:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...4536&k=Kd8Z3KK

I had read that the 200 was an easier replacement for the th350. I will be running a 400 sbc but not a lot of HP as this will be a daily driver.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by overtimeracing

I had read that the 200 was an easier replacement for the th350. I will be running a 400 sbc but not a lot of HP as this will be a daily driver.

The 200r4 is much harder to find, and more expensive to rebuild. I went with the 700r4 had to install a new trans crossmember ($100.00) but my truck is a 66 so my ebrake cable was the style I showed you in the pictures. the driveline had to be shortened about 1.25" to work with the 700......what rear axle ratio do you have and what height are the tires (diameter), what engine ? PM me your email address and I will send you a excell spreadsheet that shows how your truck performs now (speed and torquej) and also after you change the transmission (so your truck does not fall on its face.......Kieth

[Captainfab]

When converting to an auto trans, the bellhousing crossmember does need to be removed. If you can not find a '63-'65 auto trans crossmember, you can use a '66-'87 auto trans crossmember. The easiest way to deal with the e-brake cables is to convert to the '66-'72 style, as was already mentioned.

Originally Posted by overtimeracing

Thanks for the replies! The old crossmember bolted to the tranny closer to the bell housing. This one needs to be removed, correct?

[overtimeracing]

Ok...Thanks guys...So what needs replaced/saved from my present e brake set up? And does anybody have the parts available, either new or used for sale?

[overtimeracing]

Originally Posted by kieth

The 200r4 is much harder to find, and more expensive to rebuild. I went with the 700r4 had to install a new trans crossmember ($100.00) but my truck is a 66 so my ebrake cable was the style I showed you in the pictures. the driveline had to be shortened about 1.25" to work with the 700......what rear axle ratio do you have and what height are the tires (diameter), what engine ? PM me your email address and I will send you a excell spreadsheet that shows how your truck performs now (speed and torquej) and also after you change the transmission (so your truck does not fall on its face.......Kieth

Thanks Kieth! Im not sure what gears are in the rear yet. I've only owned the truck for a week, and needed to get busy pulling motor/tranny as PO already had it sold. I get back to you asap! Thanks...Kevin

[Branman1971]

Im glad you posted this. My 61 has a TH350 tranny, and the forward crossmember is a support bracket that is nothing more than a rigged up piece of thin steel that is bolted to the frame. So I can use a cross member out of a 66-87 pickup? There is also a crossmember under the tailshaft of the tranny that I think might be original but they have U-bolted a block of wood between the tailshaft and the crossmember to support it. This rear-most crossmember has a cut-out on the bottom that looks like the original tailshaft went underneath it. I will try to post a picture tonight.

[Captainfab]

You can not just bolt in a trans crossmember from a '63-'87 pickup into a '60-'62 frame. The frames are totally different. Unless you get lucky enough to find an original '60-'62 auto trans crossmember, one will need to be fabricated. What you are describing doesn't even sound safe.

[Clyde65]

branman1971,

take a read at this, might help you get yours together...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=367487

[overtimeracing]

Hey guys...looks like Im gonna pick up a 73-87 tranny cross member from the yard. What is different between my current e brake and the 66 set up? What can I keep/need to swap? Thanks again...Kevin

[Captainfab]

The '66-'72 e-brake cable assembly does not use a crossmember with a lever as the '60-'65's did. It consists mainly of just cables, a rod on the passenger side, and a couple hooks. I believe there is a link in the '60-'66 FAQ index to a thread that shows how to make the conversion.

Originally Posted by overtimeracing

Hey guys...looks like Im gonna pick up a 73-87 tranny cross member from the yard. What is different between my current e brake and the 66 set up? What can I keep/need to swap? Thanks again...Kevin

[overtimeracing]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '66-'72 e-brake cable assembly does not use a crossmember with a lever as the '60-'65's did. It consists mainly of just cables, a rod on the passenger side, and a couple hooks. I believe there is a link in the '60-'66 FAQ index to a thread that shows how to make the conversion.

Sweet! Thanks Capt!

[Branman1971]

Here's my nightmare!

[Reyals Bemus]

The horror!!

[jtrichard]

couple 2x4s some bailing wire and 2 twelve packs should not be a problem LOL GOOD LUCK you have your hands full

[overtimeracing]

Someones been playing with their erector set?

[jtrichard]

erector set might be an improvement

[Branman1971]

Erector set is right. And notice the rounded Ubolt in the rear for tail shaft? That's a block of wood in there to take up space. Genious!

[overtimeracing]

Amazing...