I just recently got a used JK. I was putting some tow hooks on it today and noticed that an entire cross-member type thing was gone. One side is cut off clean, but you can tell the the other side was at least bent to hell before it was cut. The frame itself looks fine. I was thinking that it probably serves two purposes: a mount for aftermarket bumpers and skid plates, and to add structural integrity during a collision. Thoughts on this? What problems will I have in the future.

Here's what it should look like:

 

the lower chin is not important at all and a few aftermarket bumpers require you to hack it off for installation

 

I believe that bar is called an under rider bar similliar to an icc bumper on the rear of semi trailers. It's there to keep higher profile vehicles from running over lower vehicles basically to keep a car from going under the front of the jk in the event of hitting a car from behind.

 

Yes. It's called a "Compatibility Beam". It is there to match the height of the average passenger car bumper beam.
It is available as a service part if you want to replace it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just have to keep that in mind when I'm looking for an aftermarket bumper.

 

The "lower chin," is that the scientific term for it?

corey d