got a 95 dakota, stripped down to the frame, not a spot of rust, cleanest 1st gen dakota factory frame ive seen. i will be throwing 400-450+hp at it. noticed that it flexes a ton. even with everything setting on it and bolted, to the point to where i can barley open my tailgate. it is getting a 3 link front suspension on a d44, poly body mounts, eventually a 4 link rear (for a Ford 9"). anyways, i was wondering if anyone had ideas to help strengthen the frame, i know all frames are designed to flex a little, but this seems a little out of hand. and considering im throwing decent power at it, kinda wanted to get the frame ready to handle it as well, thanks.

 

I have no experience iwth frame work but since most of them are essentially bent channel steel, closing the open side of the channel (weld a plate of same thickness) will strengthen it. There is the issue of Dodge having run wire and tube inside the channel you'll have to move them to make them accessible after you close the channel.

 

well i had intentions of boxing it in, all my steel is ready, but i have no idea how to get around them. or how i would go about boxing it in properly and keeping the factory crossmembers.