I was cleaning my truck and I took a look underneath and saw this green cable was broke, what does it do? Should I have it replaced?
Its on the passenger side on the side of the frame.

 

Its s grounding strap the green color is oxidation looks like a leaf hanger in the area nearby that probably was attached to the body somewhere zoom out on next pics typically those are no more than 12" long find the other end and simply replace if necessary

 

Haha if only i looked closer both ends are in this picture not sure why a strap would be used ther hanger is clearly mounted to frame.......

 

Haha if only i looked closer both ends are in this picture not sure why a strap would be used ther hanger is clearly mounted to frame....... usually you see these on the bulkhead to hood.

 

Ahh ok, well that bracket on the right is the radius arm, thats right where it is.

 

I have seen these before, i have one on my hood. I wonder if they were there factory as a temporary holding mech or something until they wore away...

 

No, they are (as already mentioned) negative ("ground") straps. Trusting hinge pins (that SHOULD be lubricated with some regularity) to be a decent conductor between hood-and-body or door-and-body is, how do I say this politely... a less-than-intelligent assumption. There are a few between cylinder head and frame or block as well since there is no way to be certain that bolts covered in anti-seize or lock-tite will conduct to the heads and having strong negative continuity at the heads is CRITICAL for spark strength. By the same token, your under-hood courtesy lamp will not function if the hood hasn't got a strong negative connection.

 

Oh ok that makes sense. I don't have an under hood lamp though, i don't know that this hood is original cause i think it used to have a fake scoop on it... there is 4 bondo spots under it.

 

Yep def ground straps. only a couple bucks for them, Cheap insurance to know you have good grounds. Alot of electrical issues can be caused by poor grounds. I need to replace the hood to firewall, and frame to body ones on mine.

 

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - Part ID w/pic: Broken ground on frame?

 

I did a reground upgrade on my Bronco whenever I did the 3G swap. I used 4ga wire and soldered some nice big copper lugs onto them. I took it from the battery to the block. Then I went from the block to the frame and frame to body. I like the idea of the head to block ground wire. I believe I will add that as well as a block to starter ground.

I think I am going to have my exhaust shop money together by the end of next week. Thats all I really lack on putting the 87 Bronco back on the road. The new motor should be bumping a little over 400 hp at the crank. I designed the motor to have at least 350 hp to the wheels. It may have more than that though.

 

Wow whitemax that is prettu good description of what it is