rebuild front end first or mount crossmember

[slikster]

I have a cross member and suspension form a 78 to go into my 66. it is completely taken apart and was sandblasted and painted along with the frame. Would it be easier to put the cross member in then build the front end ot build it an install it as one piece?

[gimmy 64]

it would be lighter and probably easier to handle not assembled.

[chevy_mike]

I did mine with the cross member stripped down. Made it easier to get all the bolts in, not having to work around the arms. Then mounted everything up.

[63sbssbbw]

Ditto for me for the same reasons as Mike discribed.
Now that its in,I can only imagine the grief of wrestling with it as a unit.
I did however,remove it from the donor truck('75) as a unit,with the ps box attached,and its HEAVY...lol an hour and a half to drop it out(no motor or trans)...and an hour and a half to get it in the back of my truck(by myself with a come along,jack all and lots of blocks).
The only issue I had was that I had to suck the frame rails in almost 3/4" to get the XM to slide in (This is normal)..2" ratchet straps (1 fore and 1 aft) looped around into itself got the job done.If you're going to swap your trans XM,nows the time to remove the original,it'll make it easier pulling the rails in if you have to.
T.
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.BTW..Welcome to the board,Lots of good info and help here.