What is this Cross Member for and Do I Need One?

I was looking at another CJ-6 build thread on another site, and the shots of the frame showed a cross member I don't have on my 1974 Jeep CJ-6. My Jeep's the same year as this Jeep. What are the risks of not running this one? And, where can I get one?

I spoke with the original owner (I am the second owner), and he has had his hands all over my Jeep, and he never removed that cross member, and said there was never one there from the factory.

Here are a couple of shots of the other frame. The cross member I'm speaking of is the one aft of the transfer case, sitting above the frame rail, over the rear driveshaft.

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Yes. It's definitely a transfer case support cross member, turned upside down and bolted to the top of the frame. It does not go there.

 

Thanks for the replies!!

Question answered - Exchanged email with the owner of the other Jeep, and he confirmed that he used his old transfer case cross member to simply add some beef.

Thanks again!