1. A lot of cars are just bigger than they were 15 years ago, comparing within the same segment of any type of vehicle.

2. Cars have way more airbags built in now compared to any time in the past

3. Most cars have way more electronics now, again compared to any time in the past. Cameras, blind spot sensors, tire pressure monitors, general “infotainment” systems

Lol “go back to your desk job”

> I’m an engineer for Bosch and worked as a master tech for BMW for 12 years

>max span for that 2x4 is gonna be like 36”

Wait so you think it’s a single 2x4, laid flat, carrying joists? Yeah you’re clueless and shouldn’t be giving anyone advice on what is or isn’t load bearing. Ever.

You can’t tell there are floor joists from any of the pictures. It could easily be blocking for drywall backing. Regardless, you also can’t say the double stud at the edge of the doorway is holding up the beam at all, without knowing what span the that beam is designed for, or what’s below the first floor.

Even if that’s a joist for sure, which you absolutely can’t conclusively say from that picture, it tells you nothing about the double 2x4 at the doorway.

I almost want to say I can’t believe this is the only reasonable comment among 20 clueless “you need to consult a structural engineer”s, but at this point I’m not surprised that so many people with no idea what they’re talking about still think they need to say something. This is a problem that can be fixed for probably under $100 in material and an hour of work if you’re being generous (excluding time spent moving existing furniture and such out of the way).