Insight on Frame - 1971 Suburban 3/4 Ton

[chewiebarker]

Newbie here!

I am considering a purchase of a 1971 3/4 suburban (and have a deposit on it) but have noticed some strange brackets (or something) on the frame. I am wondering if anyone here can identify what I am looking at in these pics and whether perhaps this frame is not original to the truck. Thanks! My guess it that it isn't original but I haven't seen enough frames to know. The brackets just hang there and don't seem to be integral - which makes me think they served a purpose on some other truck. I might be fine with that, I just want to be sure of what I am buying.


The brackets can be seen in the pics extending off the side of the frame rails. Each have 2 rectangular holes through the center of them. They clearly are not supporting the body, or anything, so they appear foreign to me.

Thanks a lot for any help/advice!