Quote:
NCFJ previously said:
No, a strong cover plate won't replace them. They are there as a rack brace to keep the frame from paralelagraming. Triangulation is what they are there for. No skid plates that I am aware of out there would provide the bracing that they do. If anything more are required.
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I disagree with the part about them being for shear bracing (parallelogram support).
The crossmember they attach to is for the transmission support bracket, and it gets a torque that wants to drop it on one side and lift it on the other. The diagnoal braces are there to help resist twist.
This is NOT a strong crossmember in regard to it's ability to support the frame... notice how easily it crushes on rocks. It's NOT like the longitudinal frame members to the sides. The metal is thinner and it's fenestrated with multiple cutouts. It's held with 2 thin bolts at either end and stabilized with the crimp-ended tube diagonals.
Several crossmembers stabilize the frame into the rectangular configuration, most notable is the double-wide crossbar at the front suspension, the one over the rear axle with the panhard mount, and the one that forms the rear bumper.
