What is the function of this cross bar?

[midnight43026]

I reused a pic...see the bar circled in green.

It appears to be there as an impact point... possibly to protect something more critical from scrapes, like the battery cooling lines?

Is only connects with 2 bolts near the middle of the bar and does not appear to hold anything together or stiffen anything.

When I installed the RIVAL Aluminum Catalytic Converter Skid Plate, it was loosened and the plate is inserted between it and the frame.

Sponsored

 

[sprubs]

is that protection as in hitting stuff or getting stolen or both?

 

[midnight43026]

is that protection as in hitting stuff or getting stolen or both?

Both. I am planning a month long over landing trip next year and I think it will help deter cat theft.

I have the full undercarriage skid plates on my truck... I wanted to remove the low hanging bar if it's only job was skid protection (I have that covered).

 

[Cancunbadlands]

I reused a pic...see the bar circled in green.

It appears to be there as an impact point... possibly to protect something more critical from scrapes, like the battery cooling lines?

Is only connects with 2 bolts near the middle of the bar and does not appear to hold anything together or stiffen anything.

When I installed the RIVAL Aluminum Catalytic Converter Skid Plate, it was loosened and the plate is inserted between it and the frame.

It's the factory front subframe crossmember brace (often just called the lower subframe brace or K-member tie bar).

 

[Cancunbadlands]

It ties the two sides of the front subframe together right near the lower control arm mounting points. This minimizes structural flex and twisting in the chassis during cornering, braking, and rough driving.

Sponsored