transmission crossmember? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krazy_texan · 01-26-2004, 01:48 AM

i am putting an auto trans in a manual truck, what is the difference in the crossmembers and how do you take them out i have noticed they look like they are rivited in with really big rivits.

rn2fine · 01-26-2004, 02:48 AM

I did this awhile back on my C20. Used an air chisel. Took about an hour. Not fun. Good luck.

angelsairman · 01-26-2004, 03:00 AM

when i removed mine i just used a sawzall with a long metal blade cut the heads off then used a punch to get it out for the most part they fell out. Good luck

stepside71 · 01-26-2004, 03:01 AM

metabo and hammer-about 30 minutes, grind the heads down to the frame on top and bottom ( 8 total ) use a sledge hammer to knock loose after that. The fun part ( even with the cab off ) is sliding one side forward and one side back so you can convince it to drop out.

gonebad2 · 01-26-2004, 04:35 AM

The difference in the crossmembers is: The manual crossmember is designed to be mounted farther forward on the frame. The tranny mounts are also different. It's been a while since I took one out but here goes; I think the manual tranny mounts are on the cast iron bellhousing. I also think it uses two mounts (one on each side). The automatic tranny uses one smaller mount near the tailshaft. Also, the crossmember for the automatic tranny was bolted in from the factory, not riveted. It cannot be riveted in because when you remove or install an automatic tranny, the crossmember needs to be slid back on the frame for access. So you can jack the transmission up, get it close to being in position and slide the crossmember forward. If you have access to a hot wrench, now would be the time to use is. It is a major PITA to get the rivets out. Mostly because of the limited space you will be working in. I have seen a few trucks where the owner cut each side of the manual crossmember and just left the riveted in remains behind. It's tempting to do but don't do it. I once owned a truck and that's what the PO did. He also could not figure out how to remove the un-neaded clutch pedal. So he just cut the footpad off and tied it back with a piece of speaker wire. When you get to that step and don't know how to remove it, post the question here, someone will let you know how to remove it.

01-26-2004, 01:48 AM	#1
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	transmission crossmember? i am putting an auto trans in a manual truck, what is the difference in the crossmembers and how do you take them out i have noticed they look like they are rivited in with really big rivits. __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

01-26-2004, 02:48 AM	#2
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	I did this awhile back on my C20. Used an air chisel. Took about an hour. Not fun. Good luck. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

01-26-2004, 03:00 AM	#3
angelsairman Future Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grand Forks AFB, ND Posts: 151	when i removed mine i just used a sawzall with a long metal blade cut the heads off then used a punch to get it out for the most part they fell out. Good luck __________________ Its not the end result that counts most...its the journey along the way that's most rewarding My truck doesn't leak, it just marks it's territory

01-26-2004, 04:35 AM	#5
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	The difference in the crossmembers is: The manual crossmember is designed to be mounted farther forward on the frame. The tranny mounts are also different. It's been a while since I took one out but here goes; I think the manual tranny mounts are on the cast iron bellhousing. I also think it uses two mounts (one on each side). The automatic tranny uses one smaller mount near the tailshaft. Also, the crossmember for the automatic tranny was bolted in from the factory, not riveted. It cannot be riveted in because when you remove or install an automatic tranny, the crossmember needs to be slid back on the frame for access. So you can jack the transmission up, get it close to being in position and slide the crossmember forward. If you have access to a hot wrench, now would be the time to use is. It is a major PITA to get the rivets out. Mostly because of the limited space you will be working in. I have seen a few trucks where the owner cut each side of the manual crossmember and just left the riveted in remains behind. It's tempting to do but don't do it. I once owned a truck and that's what the PO did. He also could not figure out how to remove the un-neaded clutch pedal. So he just cut the footpad off and tied it back with a piece of speaker wire. When you get to that step and don't know how to remove it, post the question here, someone will let you know how to remove it. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul! Last edited by gonebad2; 01-26-2004 at 04:39 AM.

01-26-2004, 03:01 AM	#4
stepside71 Project Money Pit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 90	metabo and hammer-about 30 minutes, grind the heads down to the frame on top and bottom ( 8 total ) use a sledge hammer to knock loose after that. The fun part ( even with the cab off ) is sliding one side forward and one side back so you can convince it to drop out.



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