Guessing this wasn't a factory option

[broncoP]

Never seen this before, not sure why it was done but they did a pretty good job. My only guess was for a Pto shaft to go through? Any ideas? Front cross member

 

[nvrstuk]

Yup, PTO shaft.

Got a buddy's Bronco with it, I ran my PTO shaft below the crossmember. No idea if it was in the crossmember when he bought it or what...???

 

[Jebus]

My 68 had a PTO on it when I bought it. They had a gearbox hanging in front to drive stationary water pumps at the end of sluiceways in an aluminum plant. They "massaged" mine with a torch and a BFH to clear the crossmember. Passenger side. Same spot. I don't see it as an issue on mine...

 

[thegreatjustino]

Exhaust pipe exit

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, very clean job. I wonder how many EB's got that mod?

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

Exhaust pipe exit

lol, special edition

 

[broncoP]

Next question, I plan on building this bronco to sell down the road. Do you think it would be a deterrent to some if they saw that? Don't really want to grind it out and redo, looks strong. If it was done from Ford then I guess it shouldn't be an issue?

 

[thegreatjustino]

I've purchased 10 EBs over the last 20 years. Not once have I ever looked at the cross member when making a purchasing decisions. I'd guess that 80% of potential buyers wouldn't even notice.

 

[DirtDonk]

Leave it. It's part of the Bronco's history even if it was installed by a dealer, rather than by Ford, or shop in Denver for a tow-service's winch so they could pull people out of snow drifts, or run a plow, or a front-mounted auger.
It's part of Bronco-lore and should be kept unless you just don't like it.

With the Bronco being built in a more standard fashion now, nobody would ever note that it did not have the hole. But having it would be at the very least a conversation starter.

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

Leave it. It's part of the Bronco's history even if it was installed by a dealer, rather than by Ford, or shop in Denver for a tow-service's winch so they could pull people out of snow drifts, or run a plow, or a front-mounted auger.
It's part of Bronco-lore and should be kept unless you just don't like it.

def won't hurt it so why not....

 

[blubuckaroo]

Next question, I plan on building this bronco to sell down the road. Do you think it would be a deterrent to some if they saw that? Don't really want to grind it out and redo, looks strong. If it was done from Ford then I guess it shouldn't be an issue?

If you're taking it down to the frame, fix it. Especially if you plan to add some horses.
The cross members are the weakest part of a Bronco's frame. There are only two cross members, and they need to be 100%.
You see the front cross member notched a lot for a serpentine conversion. I wouldn't do it.

 

[SteveL]

Early lower radiator hose fix