A lot of questions on here on what crossmember will fit on a 68 but no one really answers, I know a 68 one is one year only, but will a 69 version work? you can get a 69 for a lot less money and my car is not a 100 point resto.

 

I think that you mean the front "V" shaped, bolt on crossmember, that bolts to the front frame extensions. The only real difference between the two, is that the 68 crossmember does not have two holes on the top that the 69-up radiator support bolts to.
68's have the frame horn's hold the 63-67 style, too small of an opening, 68 only radiator support. The company that I worked for made all of the C-3 radiator supports. Lou.

 

Which cross member are you referring to. The cross member under the front clip holding the head lights or the cross member for the core support.
R

 

part 3935593

 

I don't have a clue as to what that part number is for, sorry.
R

 

I am talking about the radiator support crossmember, 1968 one year only.
I know the difference between the two but no one answers if they are interchangeable, Anyone?

 

I just asked the same question and didn't get a clear answer. I have the 68 AIM and I see a "frame extension" that bolts to the frame. Then the "v" shaped crossmember that bolts to the bottom of the extensions. Then there are outer braces that are attached to both the frame and the extension (share bolts). My assumption is that the "frame horn" is the frame extension (part between frame and crossmember). From digging around, I think that you can use any v-shaped crossmember, but if you use the 68, you're stuck with the 68 radiator and support. Right? Anyone?
I think we may be in the same boat. I need everything forward of the frame (extension, crossmember, braces, bumper mount stuff, etc.), but as soon as I say the car is a 68, all I get is pricey 68-specific parts. And (if I'm correct in my patched-together assumptions), I suspect that my radiator and core support wouldn't work with the 68 parts anyway. The solution, I've decided, is to just tell everybody it's a 69 and cut the whole debate... For me, I just need parts that will work and don't care much about 68 (there's almost nothing on the car that's 68, so it's pointless...). But it's hard for us C3 newbies to sort through.
Luckily, there's a ton of knowledge on this board, so I know I'll get there eventually. It just takes research.

 

I have all the parts, mine is just rusted out so I need to buy new. I can get a 69 for less than $150 but the 68 is $210. Everyone is helpful and I appreciate it but nobody answers the question.

 

Kaman and E

The front frame horn is the front part of the frame that the frame extension bolts to. The frame horns are different on 68 and 69 Corvettes. In 68 the radiator support bolted to the frame horn directly and in 69 it bolted to the front cross member.

The 68 and 69 frame extensions are not the same. They have a different bolt hole pattern where they bolt to the frame horn. Some GM service extensions had both hole patterns in them so they could be used on either year, others do not.

The front frame cross members are different only in that the 69 has holes through it to mount the radiator support. Other than the holes for mounting the radiator support they are essentially the same. You can use a 69 front cross member on a 68, but not the other way around as you wouldn't have a way to attach the radiator support.

If your using a 68 radiator support you can use either front cross member, but you need 68 frame to bolt the radiator support to.

If your using a 69 radiator support you need a 69 front cross member.

E, looking at the some of the pictures you posted in another thread, your front frame horns are almost rusted away. Your going to have a lot of work just fixing them.

John

 

Kaman, I did answer your question. If the only difference is two holes in the top, how would it not fit on a 68? I am sorry that I did not specifically say it would fit. And JC68 beat me to answering your questions about the difference between the frame's front horns and the front frame extensions.
For your knowledge, the outer "dog leg" front bumper braces are different between 68-69, and 70-72. Which means that the outer extensions are different also. The 68-69 braces are lower and if you bump something, the front bumper bends straight up in the air. Don't ask me how I know this!!! The 70-72 are curved higher and so an impact will hopefully be more straight backword. The company that I worked for, also made all of the C-3 outer braces. I should add that the vendors sell the 70-72 braces, and no one is making the 68-69 ones now. Lou.

 

I couldn't picture what you were saying, I get it now. Thank you for the response, I was bidding on one on Ebay and was pressed for time.

 

Actually, there are two larger holes underneath the cross member to give you access to the
two small top holes, so it is actually four holes on the 69-up cross member, as compared to
the plain top and bottom on the 68 one.
So they charge you more for not putting four holes in the cross member. Kind of like how they charge you twice as much for 81 mg aspirins, than they do for the regular size one's.
And since you and E. Murray are noobies, I also want to point out that the front bumper guards are different for 68-69 and 70-72. Also the driver side 68 inner fender is flat on the side and in 69-up it has a depression for the wires to go to the headlights, etc. past the radiator support. In 68 the forward wiring goes through the radiator support, like the 63-67. And later inner fenders have a chunk removed on all of the rubber bumper cars, in the flat front surface. Look at E. Murray's photo in his posting. Lou.

 

FWIW: The 68 frame extensions are different than the 1969. I think they look exactly the same except one of the two mounting holes on each extension has a different location.