4x4 LS cross member

[Nitis]

My only issue with the ac in stock location is the fact that it is not user friendly to work on. Granted you hope you don't have to mess with it often if at all but still it's got to be a pita to adapt lines to and service

[First c10]

I agree with it's a pita I just made up two adapters to get around the frame and hooked hose from there on out getting the compressor on and off is easy it's the refrigerant lines that were the toughest part. And you are right I hope I don't have to mess with it.

[Nitis]

First. I'm about two hours north of you And have been looking for an exercise to come to wool growers so as you get closer to completion I want to see your rig

[DWilbur]

Check out post 162 in my build thread you can see how tight the AC compressor is in the frame.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by Nitis

First. I'm about two hours north of you And have been looking for an exercise to come to wool growers so as you get closer to completion I want to see your rig

ok no problem now that you say that will have to go to dinner this week!!!

[First c10]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Check out post 162 in my build thread you can see how tight the AC compressor is in the frame.

Thats about how my c10 was. I made custom stubs (lack of a better word) that connects to the compressor and curved around the frame and allowed about 1 inch clearance. I tig welded a fitting to connect to the refer lines I had made at Napa. They ordered the ends and put together the lines pretty cheap.

[Pacific Fabrication]

Originally Posted by SDfarms

Scott i would go with dirty dingos cross-member if you are not able to build your own it would be quite simple. Myself got the pacific fab because it was dang near 150 cheaper... Big mistake... Both me and chris (Reno build) experienced the motor mounts not lining up, he didn't have it as bad as i did i had to weld an extension to the top on both sides. Once i got it bolted in i noticed one mount was twisted. I would not want anyone to have something like this.

Sorry to hear you had some issues with our crossmember. Please give us a call and let us know exactly what happened. We are always trying to improve on the design and feedback is greatly appreciated.

[DWilbur]

Originally Posted by First c10

Thats about how my c10 was. I made custom stubs (lack of a better word) that connects to the compressor and curved around the frame and allowed about 1 inch clearance. I tig welded a fitting to connect to the refer lines I had made at Napa. They ordered the ends and put together the lines pretty cheap.

That's cool you where able to tig weld some fittings. I bought a nice Miller tig welder in 2006 but my tig welding skills are less than acceptable and I have not spent the time to learn the skills needed. some day I will.

[First c10]

Well I think you maybe giving me more credit than I deserve. I did TIG weld it. But it's not that great looking. I wish I had my own. I used one that we had at work. I would love to be able to get my welds to look like a roll of nickels. Wait 9 years you have had it? How come you don't use it more?

[DWilbur]

some time I get about an 1" of weld that looks like a sloppy roll of nickels then it gets worse and it melts together and looks like one melted mess welding aluminum. At least I can melt the metal together and the fit and function are still in tact. I mostly mig weld anything thicker that 1/16" in steel and mig weld aluminum. their are so many adjustments in the tig welder with the square wave and heat adjustment I'm not sure what is what half the time. then you have the different tungsten for different metals. see how it gets confusing. the mig welder is wire speed and heat settings.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

some time I get about an 1" of weld that looks like a sloppy roll of nickels then it gets worse and it melts together and looks like one melted mess welding aluminum. At least I can melt the metal together and the fit and function are still in tact. I mostly mig weld anything thicker that 1/16" in steel and mig weld aluminum. their are so many adjustments in the tig welder with the square wave and heat adjustment I'm not sure what is what half the time. then you have the different tungsten for different metals. see how it gets confusing. the mig welder is wire speed and heat settings.

That's funny. In my comment I said I would like to be able to weld LIKE. I probably weld with a TIG like you!!! The TIG I used was already set up for me so that must be my secret!!! It is a square wave Lincoln high dollar unit.
I love my MIG though.

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by Pacific Fabrication

Sorry to hear you had some issues with our crossmember. Please give us a call and let us know exactly what happened. We are always trying to improve on the design and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Raise the mount 1.5" and you are golden!

[DWilbur]

After I get my D60 front end rebuilt and the wheel on I will install my engine and take some pictures for you guys with more detail and see if I can get the Doug Throley Headders to fit.

[First c10]

I have a question Has anyone tried a crossmember from a square body in a 67-72 frame for a Ls swap? I found a complete chassis from a 91 suburban tongue to tail for 200$ springs and axles?

[Nitis]

Not sure what modification would be needed but in theory why wouldn't it work? I've dug on this somewhat deep and first I've seen it mentioned

[First c10]

Well when I get a chance to get the frame next week maybe. I will post a picture.

[Nitis]

I posted a thread in the 4x4 section someone out there must know the answer

[First c10]

Originally Posted by Nitis

I posted a thread in the 4x4 section someone out there must know the answer

Here's the thread

[Nitis]

Man were your ears burning? I was just thinking about the thread and just finished reading it again

Any news on your build?

[First c10]

No I have had to work some OT this week and both my sons are in football & track so work on the truck had stopped for a few days. The frame I purchased should be ready to be picked up Friday. Not sure if I will get to pick it up before Monday next week.
How about you?

[Nitis]

In all honesty I bet it's close to 12 months before I start on mine got a couple priorities muddying the water

[First c10]

I am a 12 months before everything!!! lol!!

[my67chevytruck]

great info.

[72LSK10]

Hey guys, I've been doing extensive research on a cross member for my LQ9 swap into my '72 K10. After realizing that hundred of dollars for a piece of bent tube is beyond Ludacris, I decided to make my own out of .120 wall chromoly tubing I have and use my JD bender. That's when I came across a guy at Pomona that had two sick old skool Burbans with LS Swaps. He had some simple and clean black powder coated cross members. When I asked the builder how much I could get one for, he told me to walk over to "The Truck Shop" vendor and buy a Chevy 47-59 truck V-8 Swap cross member they run $46.00, yup.... That's right..... $46.00 it's on page 93 of their 1947-1959 truck catalog. They even have the motor mounts, all you need is the LS mount plates and you're set. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow, trust me, you can't beast this cross member and the price is beyond right.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/4840/10002/-1

It looks like this universal kit but for even less coin, the build is very solid, I couldn't even build one myself for $46 and definitely not worth my time when I can get such a nice piece for this price, I hope it helps.

[Nitis]

Well get it in and snap some pics!!