transmission crossmember location 54-60 EDIT

[kencombs]

My project is getting a clutch housing from a 60 (I think) truck.  That will work with either a hemi, poly or flathead 6.  and has a hydraulic clutch.  In order to intiall that, it also needs the matching crossmember. 

The original bolts to the bottom of the frame, directly under the rear spring hanger.  This replacement bolts to brackets which are bolted to the frame rails.  Preliminary measurements seem to have the brackets interfering with the spring hangars unless I cut some of the bracket away.

 

Finally my question, does anyone have pics or measurements of a later (58-50) truck with this type of crossmember? 

 

Someone posted a pic of a cab that helped me with the firewall stiffener location, which I can't find right now.  Maybe that member has one on hand??

After a little more research I've found that the 60 would have had 2" wide springs with rubber bushings.  So the mounting would have been very different.  A pic of that would be of great help.

 

Looks like I'll be modifying the brackets to clear my spring mount. 

Edited November 30, 2021 by kencombs

[JBNeal]

 

[kencombs]

47 minutes ago, JBNeal said:

 

Thanks JBN!  I saved some of the pics on my computer and they were of great help in locating the new wire loom exit and reinforcing plate location.  But I can't see the crossmember or rear of the front spring in any of them.  But I'll contact that site and see if there is more detail available.  Thanks again.

[JBNeal]

 

[kencombs]

7 hours ago, JBNeal said:

 

Thanks for the link JBN!  Lots of good info there.  That 54 front suspension shares all it's parts with my 56.  The 60 brackets I'm using fit into the frame right where the rear shackle mount goes on the 54-58.  59-60 changed to a 2" wide spring with rubber bushings and the rear eye was reversed. It was also mounted under the frame rail, not in it.  All that info I've gleaned from careful reading of an old Hollander, pics here, and other places on the net.

 

So, It looks like I need to decide on one of two approaches. 

I think,  stress on think as I haven't tried it, my current shackle mounts can be removed from the frame, turned over and swapped side to side.  Then bolt to the bottom rail and a new support on the outside of the rail extending down to mount the parts.  That will raise the rear mount a little over an inch.  Some of that came be recovered by using Jeep shackle kits which are shorter.   And, since the axle is 1/2 the spring length forward, the total lift will be less than an inch, I think.

 

Or second choice, I can cut the center out of the brackets I have so that they straddle the shackle mount as now installed.   If I can get the correct fore/aft location without terribly weakening the bracket, that is the likely direction.  

 

As far as I can tell from rough measurements, the span from front engine mount holes to rear mount holes is the same on both 56 and 60.  But the 56 crossmember bolt behind the spring mount and bends forward to the mount location while the 60 bolts to the brackets and is straight side to side.

 

All this the get an A833OD bolted to a housing that will except my six, a future poly or hemi (maybe), and firewall mounted pedals!