What do you think happened to my crossmember?

Pretty much the title. Look at this pic and tell me what you think. Bought the truck used with 4K miles in may. 2021 TRD OR 6MT. When installing my MillerCat shield a few months ago I noticed this but didn’t think much of it. Was under the truck today and thought more about it and noticed it interferes with my TRD skid a bit.

What do you think happened here? I’m not worried about it but I am curious WTF would cause this. Anyone seen anything similar? An oopsie by the P.O. for some reason?

It’s like the lip of the hole is just bent down. This is the crossmember under the oil pan and bellhousing.

 

looks like you backed into something like a rock and got hung up

 

He got stuck. Somebody uses a hook on a chain to get him out. Or, he got someone else unstuck.

Which is why you should always fully inspect a used vehicle before buying.

 

Maybe he did, definitely not me.

 

I mean I did look it over extremely closely but that did not catch my eye. And it was also hot and the pavement was hot so I can’t say I paid near as much attention to the underside as I did the exterior and interior.

Your suggestion would make sense. No other visible issues so it’s hardly a problem.

 

Easy to look over that. I know I probably would have

 

A chain hook makes the most sense. Thankfully not a big deal.

 

Yes looks like it is from a chain/hook. If it was from being high centered on a rock and then backing out there would be scrapes on the cross-member in addition to the deformed hole.

You didn't ask but I wouldn't worry about it. It can be pounded or pressed back into shape. But yes, always thoroughly inspect used vehicles even if purchased from a dealer.

 

If it bothers you, take a torch, heating up a bit and taka a BFH to it.

 

You’re going to have to bash it down or it will clatter against your skid.

 

Got towed, and the hook and chain bent it.

 

CHUDS prying down the skid to steal your Catalytic Converters?

 

take a grinding disc and grind it back to where you have about 1/4" clearance from the skid plate and call it good.
the metal has been stretched so pounding it back will not be so easy.

 

Nah, both the skid and cat shield were added after the fact and that was there when I installed them.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m sure now it was probably an offroad recovery incident. Can’t think of what else it would be. I’m not concerned either way, next time I remove the TRD skid I’ll do something to fix it whether it be grind or heat and pound with BFH.

 

Skids been on there for months no problem. Ideally eventually I will smooth the area back out but it’s no problem as it sits currently.

 

3rd Gen trucks don't have recovery hooks in the front end?

 

Then I’d leave it alone.

 

This is why I’ve always been hesitant to buy a used truck. Even if the truck has 2,000 miles on it, people either off-road, tow, haul, etc etc with trucks and you never know how they treated it.

 

It will if it's cherry red lol.