Would the cross members be structural or protection? Is it ok to run without a rear cross member while it's off for refinishing? Any hints on how to get the nuts out of the crossmember mount after they break off? I'm guessing I have to cut the corner a little larger to be able to free and replace them. The amount of rust on the frame above the member mount was unbelievable.

 

Which cross member on what year and model truck are you asking about?

 

On the 2003, the box sectional one that passes below the transfer case.

 

If it's box it's structural. I woulnd't suggest removing it and driving it -you could tweak the frame to the point you won't be able to get it back in.

 

Annoying, I don't think my oven is big enough to heat cure the paint either.

 

Trust me, if you paint it, and you go on trails like I do, the paint won't last long. Yes that is one cross member you don't want to drive without.
By the way, did you pull your SLS, have you saved all the parts, I am always getting people looking for used parts. Save the air hose if you can, I already have someone that may be interested.

 

I'm not worried about the bottom side of it, I just want to stop the rusting between the frame and the member, and on the top out of sight so I cleaned it, primed it, and am covering it in rubberized rocker guard to see how that does under the truck. The massive amounts of salt they use here does a serious number on non-stainless stuff that is not very well protected. I've tried a number of things, some things wear better than others, some stick, some don't...

Rovertym won't have all the components for at least 2 weeks so it will be on at least that long.

 

Oh, what if it's only a few minutes on-road? The cold is really messing up the drying time.

 

Oh, and apparently the dealer broke two of the bolts on them, I was able to free them by only by breaking the nuts off, any hints on how to extract those now since they're slightly bigger than the opening? What a pain really.