There was a thread on this many months back. It was determined that 1/2 ton torque tube trucks with 3 and 4 speed transmissions had the rear cross member installed from the factory.
Now you want to go open driveshaft, ok not a problem, you have the open yoke now, just need the rear bearing retainer for the sm420 to accept the open yoke and rear seal. There is not a reason in the world to remove your cross member, unless you want to purposely weaken your installation. My thoughts are that sm weighs over 160 pounds and now you want to remove the rear cross member and cantilever that weight off of 4 bolts . Like Grigg says the engineers of the time said it didnt need one but I will add those trucks that didn't have one also had a propeller shaft support bearing installed mid ship, that you do not have. There lies the difference IMHO.
Last edited by sstock; 06/12/2019 1:35 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done
In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
