VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 54 1/2 ton transmission crossmember

Starting a new thread on an old conversation that was getting a bit far afield of the original topic. Cutting straight to the chase, based on the prior discussion and other research, I have come to the conclusion that the crossmember to which the transmission mount should be attached has been lost to a prior owner, but I attach a photo for anyone who might be able to confirm my conclusion.

My new-to-me truck is nearly all original and I would like to keep it that way. My first choice will be to poll junkyards, can anyone tell me what years I can pull from and still have a proper replacement? Failing that, I see there are a few aftermarket suppliers, but they appear to be aimed at owners who are replacing their trannies and so will might some modification to work with the original thing. If anyone has put one of these in their truck and can offer some advice on how best to proceed, I would be very much obliged.

The 1954 1/2 ton does not have a transmssion mount or cross member for a mount. The weight of the rear of the engine is carried by the rear motor mounts.
The parts book does not list a trans. mount or a cross member for a 1954 1/2 ton. The 1954 Truck Engineering book shows the frame and mounting of the rear of the engne in detail.
A Hydramatic model does have a cross member and mount.

I should add that there is a cross member under the trans. but it is listed only as #2 crossmember and NOT the trans. mount member over as a 1947-1953 is.

Thanks Gene. All I had to go on initially was the lubrication chart in the Manual, which shows a cross member that I assumed had a mount. Guess I live with the chatter when starting off.

I’ am thinking you are missing the transmission crossmember due to the fact there is a dual Master Cylinder instead of the original single MC.
The original crossmember has to be replaced for a modified one.

That looks like the only crossmember for manual trans truck. It goes under bellhousing and for 54 the mounts were at an angle compared to earlier trucks that were flat. The Hydra_matic had a heavier mount that bolted to the front of transmission in about the same place and angle as the manual transmission bellhousing. It also had another crossmember with a mount supporting the back of the transmission where it joined the driveshaft. Brake lines were also routed differently so H-M transmiision could be lowered without having to disturb brake lines.

Greg is correct. I have owned a '54 3100 with the granny low 4 spd. trans for over 25yrs. and the transmission has no frame crossmember connected to it.
Engine and trans are supported by mounts on the bellhousing, with the crossmember being underneath that area.

If fact, years ago I made my own "tool" that bolts to the side cover of the trans. and allows you to use a larger floor jack to remove and install the trans.in your garage. I don't have the luxury of a lift, and found that most trans. jacks were too awkward to use for this purpose.

ChevyTrucker, that is an original master cylinder, I'm still working out a slow leak from the brake line going into it after rebuilding it. Thanks for the confirmation guys, leaving it as is.