How difficult is it too remove the front crossmember?

[Paul Y]

Evening all,

Looking at doing a lot of front suspension work, including the caster mod as outlined by Mr Chevyrestoguy in his 64 cheapskate build.

The question is...would it be easier to remove the front crossmember to facilitate this work or pull the engine?

I am leaning towards the removal of the crossmember, as it would enable me to clean and paint the chassis in addition to installing new upper ball joints etc, but would like to hear the comment of others.

Anyway, over to you.

P.

[DakotaKid]

Well as seeing that the Motor mounts attack to the crossmember also, you would have to remove the engine also.

its only i think 14 bolts to remove the crossmember, 7 on each side if i remember correctly, and removing the shocks.

[Paul Y]

Thanks for the reply.

I have a 'frame' that I use for supporting the engine on my 'moderns' when changing the clutch's that sits across the wings and holds it up -does that make sense? So was going to use this to hold the engine up, unbolt the engine mounts, shocks and steering and drop the crossmember out the bottom.

If I do go this route, anything to watch out for?

P.

[Mathew21]

I did a crossmember swap this past summer in my 66'. I'm no mechanic and I didn't think the job was that hard. It was a time consuming for me being this is the first time I didn't anything like this. Here's is an excellent write up on it. It helped me a lot.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=357610

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Thanks for the reply.

I have a 'frame' that I use for supporting the engine on my 'moderns' when changing the clutch's that sits across the wings and holds it up -does that make sense? So was going to use this to hold the engine up, unbolt the engine mounts, shocks and steering and drop the crossmember out the bottom.

If I do go this route, anything to watch out for?

P.

that seems how I would do it, but my engine "frame" would probably be a 2X4
undo the brakes too.

[Chevy Fleetside]

A 2x4 across the frame and under the harmonic balancer will work. Did that to a friends truck and it sat like that for about a week.

[SickAss 62 C10]

Just dropped the front crossmember out of of my 62 C10 Monday to swap it , ended up cleaning it up repairing some parts and putting it right back in. I'm far from a mechanic and other than a couple of bolts that were difficult to The job was fairly easy

[Paul Y]

Right, looks as if I am on the right track then!

Thanks for the link Mathew, that is a great help. Once i have my registration documents back from the dvla this will be my first job on Woody.

P.

[Grizz1963]

Morning Paul,

Do you have a Rattle Gun to remove the nuts n bolts holding it all together?

If not, let me know and I will bring mine along for you to use.

I will need it again, but it does make life a lot easier.

[Chevy Fleetside]

this is what I meant.

[Paul Y]

Mr Fleetside,

That makes perfect sense and means I can remove the front clip for additional clean up duties.

P.