How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

So I dropped my transmission so can put in a better torque converter. All I could do with cross member was unbolt it and beat it back towards the rear. Made getting the tranny out a real pain. Would like to make the install easier by removing it he crossmember.

Does the crossmember come out some how without cutting it, would like to reuse it.

Seems like it's stuck between the frame rails.

1968 c1500 2wd th350

Thanks

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

There is one spot on the frame where you can knock one side of the crossmember sideways and eventually it will come out. Also you can remove the rivets that hold the two extensions that go to the top of the frame and replace them with bolts. That way you can just flip the crossmeber upright and turn it sideways easily. In all reality 8 bolts is complete overkill to hold a transmission crossmember. I have removed the upper pieces completely in the past. Every aftermarket crossmember around only uses 4 bolts.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

BFH...a pretty big hammer! I do agree with Cable, knock the top wings off, & do the twist ;) Longhorn

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Copy that, I'm going to knock the wings off it. Thanks

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Wish I had read this before the bloody knuckle struggle to remove that crossmember. I can see where it it is (by far) easier to knock the wings off. Doing that tomorrow.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

I put a new motor and trans in my 70 C10 and didn't even unbolt the crossmember. I just jacked the tailshaft up and slid it over the crossmember.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Same experience here. I have a nice little scar across my knuckle now reminding me of the fight put up by my crossmember. After taking the upper bracket pieces off, the crossmember came right out...

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Yes you first need to remove the rivets holding the 'wings' to the main crossmember. Then it comes out easy and goes back in easy.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Can someone explain how you "knock the wings off"?

Do you cut them off or grind/cut the rivets off to remove it. Unless a person has an oxy/acetylene torch kit or a good compressor and air hammer and chisel kit it's a pain to remove those rivets.

I removed the crossmember on my original six cylinder 69 Chevy like Longhorn mentioned -with a big sledge hammer. Chiseled the rivets of then after I got it out I ground a small section of the corner edges on opposite ends of the crossmember to make it easier to bang it back in.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

..does anyone have any pics of this before or after?...either the cross member, or everything place or out?
I might end up doing this someday if I swap out my TH350 for a 700R and I assume I will be having to move/remove this thing to mount up the 700R.

Coley

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

There's a few different ways to accomplish this but I've found that "knocking the wings off" is a great idea.

I have cut the heads of the drive rivets off with a sawzall and a metal cutting blade, then trilled out the body of the rivets, then punched to re3maining fragments out. Some people use an air chisel and that works great if you have one.

In any case, a hammer and pry bars still come in handy. Still, it easier done with the trans removed. If the trans is still in, your only option may be to "knock the wings off' but I would recommend it either way

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Ive removed two now...

'67 Stepside - had to unbolt cab mounts and lift cab up to remove top bolts. Successfully hammered it out at an angle.

'72 LWB - able to remove top bolts w/o lifting cab but hammering out crossmember was a no-go. A grinder made it easier to remove in two pieces lol.

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

Over the years I have removed hundreds of these by using my blue wrench....cut the top frame rail bolts and install shorter bolts up from the bottom side of the upper frame rail.....easy stuff....got to love the words "knock off the wings" LOL!!!!!!!! just cut the rivets and replace with bolts if you like, I normally don't but there are times the cross member will not go back in like you want it to, so cutting the rivets helps the install...but "KNOCK THE WINGS" off....now thats doing something !!!!!

Re: How do you remove transmission crossmember?
 

I just put a 2001 4L80e in my '71 C20. Had the same problem, crossmember would not come out. I took the advice to "knock off the wings", and to my surprise, one smack on each rivet with an 8 ounce ball peen and they fell off on the garage floor! Simply amazing advice! ;)