I am working on my '74 chevy shortbox and right now I just got the box off so I can start working on cleaning up the back part of the frame. One question that I had is about the cross member that supports the spare tire. I'm not going to have a spare tire...not enough room (I am lowering it and I am having dual exhaust. I will keep a spare in the bed if I need to under my tonneau cover) I don't think I need it because of the main cross member right behind it. I don't know if it was put there for support or just for the spare tire. Here is a pic of what I am talking about: [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/frame_rear] If you want to see my project so far..I will put some picture links below. I have my front end all done...I tore it all down...installed some energy suspension bushings, and 3" bell tech drop spindles. I bought some drilled rotors and overhauled and painted the calipers. I still have to order my bell tech drop shocks. I finished everything off with black rustoleum hammered...just like hammerite....and stops the rust. here are some pics [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/Front_End] This is one I just pieced together to show the whole thing...i tried [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/rotor] [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/front] [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/under] I just finished sandblasting and painting my radiator support: [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/support] Before I removed my box: [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/rear] After [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/rear2] I also picked up a dash pad that is in really good shape, along with a couple instrument panels with gauges instead of dummy lights. The interior needs some work: [http://www.members.aol.com/jamy4us/private/inside] Today I put some wheels on the front to roll it around on....it looks sweet with that 3 in drop in the front. I am starting to clean up the rest of the frame like I did the front. I am going to clean up the underside of the cab and the bed and paint those also. My firewall is ready to paint. I have to install my bell tech shackle and hanger kit to achieve my 4 inch drop in the back. After my frame and stuff is finished, I can install my new body mount bushings for the cab and get ready to painting. My dads friend has a paint booth in his shop and he is an experience painter and body work guy. So he will assist me in the painting and the body work. I am buying new front end panels (hood, fenders, 1 inner fender) to paint. My box is in excellent shape...I found a new tailgate at a swap meet. I want to smooth the bed post holes, so this will be a learning time for me. I also want to relocate the tailgate handle to the inside of the tailgate. I have a s/b 400 all ready to drop in (I worked on it last winter...painting, main seals, timing chain...ect.). Along with a TH350 tranny. I got most of my parts off a donar truck...PS, PB, tilt column, the s/b 400. The engine already had a aluminum edelbrock intake and a holly 4 bbl...so I am good to go in that department. I want to do all this stuff, but I am only 16 and sports and school really take up time...I plus I got to work to make some money for this truck. I am having fun with my first truck. Anyway, I have plenty of stuff that I am working on and plenty of stuff that I want to talk about but I am getting tired of typing... If Anyone can answer my question from above, that would be great...and any ideas or comments would be great also...Thanks. Attachments: https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/
All that cross member is there for is to hold the spare on.good luck with your project. It looks like its gonna be one nice truck.Karl ________ Cloudy trichomes
