Longhorn Automatic transmission cross member removal

[Todd68Chevy]

I figure this has been asked before but I searched and couldn't find the answer. I have removed several 1/2 and 3/4 ton cross members by beating them sideways and I am wondering if there is room to do that with a Longhorn that has the frame spacers attached or do I have to remove rivets and take it apart to get it out of the frame? Thanks

[crazy longhorn]

If you remove the frame spacers on the bottom, you should be able to tap the cross member out with your hammer. Longhorn

[Todd68Chevy]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

If you remove the frame spacers on the bottom, you should be able to tap the cross member out with your hammer. Longhorn

Thanks, I was trying to avoid cutting the rivets between the brackets and the cross member. Is there any good way to cut them? Does not look like a grinder will fit. I usually use an air chisel on rivets but looks pretty hard to get into them.

[crazy longhorn]

Scrape all the mud/crud, & fire up the torch Longhorn

[Todd68Chevy]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

Scrape all the mud/crud, & fire up the torch Longhorn

I have cleaned it up since this picture but this was the only picture I had of it. I know I can get it out if I cut the frame but don't want to destroy the frame incase someone needs it. Thanks for the help

[crazy longhorn]

No, I did not suggest to cut the frame, just burn the rivets. If you are just making parts out of the truck, another thought....reach in & burn the outboard pcs off the bottom spacer? The cross member can still be sold to use in a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck (non longhorn), or the bottom spacers should not be that bad to make (fab), for longhorn useage. Longhorn

[Todd68Chevy]

So everyone knows the cross member will twist sideways and come out like the standard 1/2 ton style. I might have bent the bottom bracket some but I can not tell. I moved the passenger side back as far as I could with the exhaust hanger in the way. Placed a pair of vice grips in front of it so it would not slide forward. beat the drivers side forward and after getting the parking brake cable out of the way it moved far enough to come out of the frame rails. I am not sure it would go back in that way but now that it is out of the truck I can get to the spacer bracket rivets to remove them and then bolt it back together.

Thanks Crazy Longhorn for the help/ advise.

[crazy longhorn]

Not a problem.....crap, you showed me something, that I did not think would go! Damn sure, that it wont go back in like that (but you had it figured). My old truck has a couple custom built cross members (tucked + trimmed). the exhaust goes under, but up tight.....longhorn