ideas for taller nv4500 mount

[slowgo]

Hi guys I need to shim my trans up about half inch to get more room on the firewall for plug wires and the distributor cap. Anybody aware of an aftermarket unit to do this? I'm not worried about drive shaft angle and shifter location I'll deal with those accordingly. I was thinking of using bar stock but a drop in unit would be preferred.Thanks.

 

[kleedus]

what cross member do you have

I am tossing around ideas for my nv4500 in my 1 ton

the frames are taller by 2'' I think on a 1 ton if you use the 85 up cross member from a half or 3/4 ton your transmission is 2'' lower. the 1 ton cross member is almost flat to make up the difference in the frames

I am thinking about trimming the 85 cross member ends just enough to fit the cross member between the frame and spacing it up 2'' inside the frame

I could just cut a 2'' square tube and drill the holes in it and space the transmission up but the cross member would hang down 2'' lower than it should

depending how yours was done it might be sitting 2'' low as well and that would hurt your front drive line angle


first pic is a 85 up cross member (not 1 ton)
second is my crew cab 4l80/205 with the 1 ton cross member
third is a 1 ton cross member to see how flat they are

 

[slowgo]

what cross member do you have

I am tossing around ideas for my nv4500 in my 1 ton

the frames are taller by 2'' I think on a 1 ton if you use the 85 up cross member from a half or 3/4 ton your transmission is 2'' lower

I am thinking about trimming the 85 cross member ends just enough to fit the cross member between the frame and spacing it up 2'' inside the frame

depending how yours was done it might be sitting 2'' low as well and that would hurt your front drive line angle

I would have no way of knowing what crossmember they used it's definitely a factory stamped gm unit. which is why I was thinking leave the xmember where it's at and raise the trans with a taller mount. front d line has a 1 inch spacer installed on front yoke. As I type this I'm thinking It'd probably be easier to jack the cross member up with a piece of bar stock with 2 holes drilled in it as a spacer.. is that acceptable? I am thinking so.

 

[kleedus]

I edited my first post with pics

could you post a picture of your cross member I could help identify it

 

[slowgo]

It might need to come up 2" seems like a lot but my engine is definitely cranked back. My 14" air cleaner rubbed a hole in the insulation on the hood. Lol I'm just curious if 2" will be too much for the current exhaust setup

 

[slowgo]

Yea that'd be great I can get one tomorrow hopefully after work!

 

[kleedus]

I would bet they used a 85 up cross member from a 1/2 or 3/4 ton as it is an easy fit. but I am thinking they did not make up the difference in a the 1 ton frame being 2'' taller

if you are alright with the cross member being low then just cut a piece of square tube and space your mount up

 

[slowgo]

That'd would be a logical guess.Thanks for your help I'll get you those pictures tomorrow

 

[slowgo]

...

 

[kleedus]

yep that is the 85 up cross member you need to space it up 2'' somehow

I will measure a half ton and a 1 ton frame tomorrow and confirm if it is 2'' different for sure

I will be using the same cross member I will be figuring this out maybe tomorrow in my nv4500 swap into a 1ton. I will let you know what I come up with.

 

[slowgo]

yep that is the 85 up cross member you need to space it up 2'' somehow

I will measure a half ton and a 1 ton frame tomorrow and confirm if it is 2'' different for sure

I will be using the same cross member I will be figuring this out maybe tomorrow in my nv4500 swap into a 1ton. I will let you know what I come up with.

Sounds good thanks buddy. It looks like the top of tranny shift tower is just flush with floor so lifting will most likely require some sheet metal trimming.

 

[kleedus]

the 1 ton frame is 2'' taller measured a couple different trucks just to be sure


I built a spacer from 2''x2'' square tube I will post pics of it later tonight

I am going to use the same cross member that is in your truck with the 2'' spacer for now. if I have any problems with the cross member being low I will change it up later

 

[kleedus]

here are some pics

I cut the square tube 9.5'' long witch was just a little wider than the flange on the nv4500

then drilled the holes just a little bigger than the holes in the mount for a little wiggle room

 

[slowgo]

I was gonna do exactly like you did for now. What do you think about skipping the cross member to the inside of the C channel and building two spacers with a filler to fit inside the "hat" of the stamped member? It would be more work but you would gain ground clearance. And it'd appear stock which i also like...Another option I'm thinking is just bending up a custom cross member with some .120 wall DOM. I'd keep it bolt on as I'm not a fan of welding to frames if I don't have to.

 

[kleedus]

moving the cross member to the inside of the frame was my first thought

probably would only need an inch or so spacer on each side to space the cross member up after the thickness of the cross member

you would need to trim the ends of the cross member to fit inside the frame

I only went the easy way cause it was the quickest way to get it together for now