The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline GMC Crossmember swap & Mustang IFS

I've been lurking off/on for a while now and am finally ready to start working my frame.

I've got a 53 chevy frame that I will be swapping out the front crossmember to a GMC and installing a mustang II. The swap is pretty straight forward, but my question is regarding riveting, bolting or welding it in place (GMC crossmember). All the researching i've done recommends riveting and not to weld. What I haven't come across is any info regarding the installation of a IFS crossember and if this has any impact on the necessity of riveting/bolting the front crossmember instead of welding. My non-engineering mind is thinking that the frame flex/stress that the original crossmember would see w/rivets isn't as much since the mustang crossmember/boxing plate will make the front frame much more rigid, not to mention that the engine will no longer be supported by the original crossmember.

Anyone have any thoughts/input?

What would be your plan for riveting it in?
You own that kind of equipment?

I used grade 8 bolts to install the front crossmember in my 57 3100.

I'm using stock front suspension and a cradle style engine mount.

regards,
Leon

Dont have the riveting tools but i do have access to mill and a lathe should i decide to go that route. I am really going back and forth. My thoughts of welding was to plug weld the original rivet holes by opening up the frame holes enough to get good penetration between the frame and crossmember. I guess i hadnt considered that the bolts wont have the same stress either given the same thoughts i had for the crossmember no longer seeing the same stress as original configuration.

Most of the weld in front crossmembers also incorporate boxing the frame rails.