Well my stupidity has gotten the best of me. Just got my truck a few weeks ago, it's an 84 f150. When I looked at it I never looked underneath, apparently that was a mistake. So can anyone tell me why someone would do this?

 

Is it missing the crossmember?

 

That was my first thought, but wasn't sure. That's around the transfer case. I've never worked on a 4x4, so didn't know if it had a cross member or not. I didn't see holes in the frame that looked big enough though.

 

You buy it from Larry the Cable guy?

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It has to have some sort of crossmember on it. If i remember right the crossmember on those kinda U shape up and bolts on the inside of the frame rails where as most sit on the bottom of the rails. I may be wrong though. Did you feel any clanking around as it was shifting or taking off?

 

Unless they are using straps as a support for the exhaust...which wouldnt last long,lol

 

I flipped your picture around in the hopes it might help, but no. If it was used as a crossmember, it would be BAD!!! You would know right away when you drove it.

It doesn't look like it its touching exhaust. Dip is right, it would not last long. Plus they don't look burnt.

Does the truck shake?

 

Nope it doesn't shake at all and it shifts great.

 

Looks like the bed is off, snap a couple more pics from different angles. The only thing i can think is maybe it was used to try to alter the exit angle of the drive shaft. Maybe it was eating ujoints.

 

Thenomlu cross member is on the tranny. What happens when you let them off