1973 Cj5 Frame

I recently became the proud owner of a 1973 cj5. I purchased a replacement frame because mine was severely damaged. My new frame is identical except for one detail. The rear bumper/crossmember has these circular areas on it. (I’ll enclose a pic) can’t find any others that look similar. Any info would be appreciated.

 

I’ll take a look in the pole shed today. I have a ‘72 CJ5 and a spare frame, so there are two examples.

I’m thinking that the spare frame looks like yours but…

Jon B.

 

Much appreciated

 

As I suspected, the spare frame is, indeed, like yours. The back end of it is 12 feet in the air (it’s standing on the front end), so I can’t get decent pictures of it. I also don’t know exactly what model year it is, only that, dimensionally, it matches the ‘72. I bought it from member C-dubb here; maybe he knows.

The ‘72 has no rear crossmember or bumper. Also, the data plate on it appears to be hand made, using a set of letter/number punches, so I’m not positive that it’s the original. The build of the Jeep matches the VIN, so maybe…

Jon B.

 

My ‘75 has those same round areas in the rear crossmember.

 

Humm, wonder what they were for? I will check my 74 tomorrow and see if it has them.

 

Mine too.........????

 

Well, I looked at my 74, looks like it has these on both sides of the rear crossmember.
The mystery deepens, Just cannot figure the reason or them.

 

The original rear crossmember on my '74 had the same circular areas.

 

Look to me like tail light mounting points. Or flux capacitor adapter bosses.

 

This is my 73 (made Dec 72). The rear panel is flat as a board. As suggested, maybe that circle area was added for tail lights, or maybe the backup lights? Not sure.

 

Just speculating, maybe the rear crossmember assy might have been manufactured to work for the cj5 and also some other model of AMC vehicle. Another thought maybe the raised boss was a support attachment point used during the assembly of the vehicle frame..

 

Also wondering if any of the pre AMC intermediates had this, like in 1970 or 71.

 

My '71 does not.

 

My 73 does not have them.

 

I don't remember my '75 having that but it seems the 1976 had something like that.
Judging by the bulge, it must have been something that mounted inside the cross-member.

 

My '71 CJ-6 doesn't have the round stampings, either.

 

Thanks to all who replied

 

I read a thread somewhere in the last couple of years that came to agreement on what those were for. Unfortunately, I cannot recall what the outcome was or where I saw the thread. My search-fu is weak and I was not able to find it.

 

My 75 had those, trailor light hookup.