The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1954 3100 frame

I have a question for you guys that know the 1954 3100 Chevy truck frames. I met a guy through a metal guy that is building a 1954 3100 truck. The crossmember that came with the truck was really modified,so he bought a 1954 crossmember from a supplier.The crossmember in the picture is supposed to be the correct crossmember for it.
As you can see in the picture,there is a bracket riveted to the frame rails on each side(factory rivets). crossmember picture Is this factory or did someone do this modification ? The truck had a 1947-1953 bellhousing in it,he now has a 54 bellhousing and crossmember for it.

Thanks,Tim

Tim

Looks like a Hydra-Matic truck. The stock crossmember unbolts.

I asked what transmission was in the truck when he bought it,he said 4 speed manual shift.The brackets have to be removed to use the replacement crossmember he has.Was there two different crossmembers for the 1954-1955.1 truck ?

Here is the 1954 engine rear support cross-member.

As Cletis posted, the engine rear support in a 54/55 Hydra-Matic was not riveted, it was bolted on; and, the 1/2 ton H-M had a rear-transmission bolted-on cross-member (the manual transmission 1/2 trucks had no rear-transmission cross member).

So do you have any clues on this setup ?

Are the brackets inside the frame rail welded in or riveted in or bolted in? I cannot see inside the frame rail.

If I remember, I'll take a photo of the Hydra-Matic cross-member attachment point tomorrow morning.

It's riveted in like I stated above.

If they are riveted, there is no need to post photos of the H-M setup.

So, in answer to your question, "Was there two different cross-members for the 1954-1955.1 truck ?", there was only one 1954/54st 31xx rear engine cross-member for manual transmission trucks.

Most likely, whatever is attached at the cross-member mounting point will have to be removed. Do the rivet holes in the frame match the holes on the replacement cross-member?

Yes,we know the brackets have to be removed to use the new crossmember he has.We just wanted to know if it was factory or if someone attached them to the frame.

OK,there are two different crossmembers.One for Hydra-Matic truck and one for manual transmission truck. Pictures are worth a thousand words.He said the rivet holes do line up with the 54 crossmember he purchased.

Thanks,Tim