2000 K3500 4x4 Extended cab
Cross member, that holds up the front of the gas tank, is rusted.
It's in a bad location.
Right in the gap between the bed and cab.
Has anyone tried the one made by Dorman????
Some say's it will fit, others say it will not.
All the clips I've found show it being riveted on the top frame rail.
On this truck, it's attached from the bottom.

 

I’ve installed the frame repair kit for a 2000 K1500 - it wasn’t exactly right, but it was close enough I was able to make it work. The issue with that kit is the replacement crossmember was just a straight piece of pipe and not curved like the original. The rear of the tank ended up sitting about an inch lower than it originally did - had I been more careful with my measurements, I probably could’ve compensated for it. The kit also required being welded in.

I’d recommend getting the bed off and comparing the replacement piece to the original before removing it. That way you can be sure of the fit.

Here’s photos of my repair.

 

One on this truck is different.
It's not a round tube.
It's a formed stamped metal cross member.
If the factory would have just placed it 3 inches to the rear, it wouldn't have rusted.
It's placed right in the gap between the bed and cab.
Rubbish, rain, all kinds of gunk fall right into the channel.
It all collects and rust everything out.
I've looked on-line at some clips of it.
All I've found, have it riveted to the top of the frame.
On this truck, it's riveted to the bottom of the frame.
Have it kind of patched together, but I know it just temporary.

 

For clarity -

do you mean the crossmember is riveted to the bottom frame rail,

OR

do you mean the crossmember is riveted to the bottom side of the top frame rail?

 

The rivets that hold the cross member are on the bottom of the frame.
Nothing on the top.
Asked dorman, but never got a reply from them.

 

I’ve watched the video on Dorman’s website and I think the discrepancy may be that they are doing the repair on a 2500 single cab whereas you’ve got an extended cab (and I’m guessing a dually).

Does your truck have dual tanks? That and/or the capacity of the tank will be different compared to the 2500 in the video.

Everything I’ve found at this point suggests the Dorman part will work, it’s just going to be attached to the frame differently than what you see in the video.

My only advice at this point is to do one of 3 things:

1) Call a dealer with the VIN. They’re unlikely to have a crossmember available but you can ask for a current part number and search with that.

2) Remove the bed so you can get a clear, thorough look at the crossmember from all sides and compare it to pics and/or replacement parts.

3) Hit the local salvage yards and hope to find an original crossmember that matches yours and is in good enough condition to use.

 

I saw that it was a 2500.
Couldn't find one that was on a 3500.
Dealer is no longer making it.
I did get a part number. GM 1569413
At some point we may remove the bed, but not doable right now.
Haven't checked out the junk yards yet.