The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Has anyone ever "opened up" their center crossmember to fit a one piece drive shaft?

Acorn · 01-09-2018, 12:56 AM

I think 5" might be a bit on the big side. I put a one piece 4" aluminum in my stock height c20. I modified my crossmember from the factory oval shaped driveshaft hole, to more of a rectangle shaped hole to give me just enough clearance. (Side to side, up and down) Once I welded some bracing in there, I really don't think I would go any bigger just because of the trailing arm mounts.
I can jack the truck up from the rear bumper until the springs max out and the driveshaft still comes pretty close to hitting.
How much lift does your truck have?

Something I thought about but never looked into, would be to buy a tubular crossmember for a lowered truck, and just install it upside down so the driveshaft tube hangs down.

01-09-2018, 12:56 AM	#8
Acorn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Winnsboro Texas Posts: 367	Re: Has anyone ever "opened up" their center crossmember to fit a one piece drive sha I think 5" might be a bit on the big side. I put a one piece 4" aluminum in my stock height c20. I modified my crossmember from the factory oval shaped driveshaft hole, to more of a rectangle shaped hole to give me just enough clearance. (Side to side, up and down) Once I welded some bracing in there, I really don't think I would go any bigger just because of the trailing arm mounts. I can jack the truck up from the rear bumper until the springs max out and the driveshaft still comes pretty close to hitting. How much lift does your truck have? Something I thought about but never looked into, would be to buy a tubular crossmember for a lowered truck, and just install it upside down so the driveshaft tube hangs down. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.