Is this an engine guard?

[Patrick]

While I was underneath my 2002 Dynasty this afternoon I noticed this square tube structure that runs from side to side below the crankcase.  It is bolted to the frame on either side and then dips down below the crankcase. It was touching the exhaust pipe and appears to have been bent upward, resulting in a crack on one side, as shown in the photo. 
 

Is this simply an engine guard or does is serve another purpose?

[DavidL]

Hard to tell as picture is too close to get an overview if what that is.  But a decent welder / fabricator can certainly fix it.

[Rick A]

Ask DavidL says it’s difficult to determine its exacts purpose but it’s worth looking at because it could pull things out of square. 

[Ivylog]

It’s more a transmission guard than engine by where it’s located on my rigs.

Edited February 12, 2022 by Ivylog

[Patrick]

2 hours ago, Ivylog said:

It’s more a transmission guard than engine by where it’s located on my rigs.

That makes sense