What is this crossmember for and why do I need it?

[Terpsmandan]

So I am looking to install some Metalcloak Geometry Brackets and they are using the bolts on that first crossmember that is covering the oil pan and and attached to the transmission crossmember. What is it there for? Metalcloak says that it is removed from most lifted Jeeps so that the front driveshaft doesn't touch. Ideas?

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[Maverick909]

that is the oil pan protection bar. had one on my 18 jlu with the 6 speed manual trans

 

[nU7OuxIx]

It's there to add protection for the oil pan. I've heard it's a skid plate more than a structural crossmember. A lot of full body skid plates tell you to remove that crossmember. I think there's only two skid plate manufacturers that use it, one being asfir.

Me personally, I like it being there and feel like Jeep put it there for a reason, and that's my reason to leave it. The majority on the forum say you can safely remove it.

You can read more about it here:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/factory-transmission-skid-plate.76644/

 

[Iggy]

So I am looking to install some Metalcloak Geometry Brackets and they are using the bolts on that first crossmember that is covering the oil pan and and attached to the transmission crossmember. What is it there for? Metalcloak says that it is removed from most lifted Jeeps so that the front driveshaft doesn't touch. Ideas?

I think it’s there to hit every rock on the Rubicon Trail. I got high centered on that cross member more than once. It’s now quite mangled but still attached. The ASFIR engine/trans skid plate is not bent in the correct place to make a clean installation so maybe my crossmember is a touch low. Maybe I should just remove it, too.

 

[Heimkehr]

The ASFIR engine/trans skid plate is not bent in the correct place to make a clean installation so maybe my crossmember is a touch low.

I went back and forth with Asfir regarding that very issue. Tiring of my good faith efforts to obtain resolution, and because they eventually went silent, I requested and received a chargeback with my card issuer. That got their attention, and a prepaid return label arrived lickity split. Funny how that works.

Still wondering which brand to choose for Attempt #2.

 

[Terpsmandan]

So Metalcloak called and said that their bracket uses those holes that attach the crossmember to the frame. I will probably remove it.

 

[JPAloha]

I just removed that as part of the Evo oil pan/transmission skid plate installation.

It was utilized with the Westin skid plates that were on previously.

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