Cross Member On Our Trucks

[Justin Fleming]

So I have had a hand full of the k5's and a couple GMC jimmy versions. To set the record straight..... The two bolts on each side of the cross member that have the tall bushing/shims.... How are they to be installed? I have seen it were the tall bushing goes between the cross member and the frame and I have seen the cross member bolt right up tight against the frame and the tall shim basically was used to take up space on the bolt before installing the nut.

Please advise...

 

[big dan]

Crossmember should be tight against the frame. Don't remember what the purpose of those spacers is but sometimes people put them between the crossmember and frame to lower the tranny/t-case for better rear driveshaft angles but it puts a lot of stress on the frame when you do that.

 

[toomany]

I believe the spacers are there to get proper stretch of the bolts when tightening them down.

I've seem frames tear though when the spacers are in the middle. If you need the drop, use some square stock that is at least the same width/length as the crossmember, or something that supports the frame better than a 3/4" circle does.