Dakota Frame Strength?
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Dakota Frame Strength?
Ok here me out on this. I have a 1990 Cummins rolling chassis. I got a good deal on it from a friend. Body has already been removed because he was putting a COE cab on it, but got burned out. So here is my dilemna, I have a 1948 Dodge Panel truck that I was going to put on a 96 Dodge Dakota frame. Then the Cummins fell into my hands. The 90 track width is to wide to put my Panel Truck body on. I am now debating pulling the Cummins out of it's original frame and stuffing in into the Dakota frame with my Panel on that frame. Depending on who you ask, some say no problem some say no way. My questions are whether the Dakota frame can handle the weight of the Cummins? I don't plan on big horsepower #'s. Maybe turning up the pump a little. I won't be towing heavy loads with it. Maybe a small vintage Shasta camper, but that's about it. I know the 4bt would be a better choice, but I don't have one and they are a little pricey. Any suggestions, ideas, or comments would be greatly appreciated. thanks, andrew
It can be done, a guy put a 6bt in a Durango and it's surviving just fine. Plus that's the beauty of building ground up, if your good with a welder u can make things as strong as u want. Go for it!
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Have the welder and the plasma! I guess my main concern is finding the weakest point of the Dakota. I would guess ball joints or spindles? I've seen a few other Dakotas with a Cummins, but they are either 4wd or 4bt's. The frames are boxed, so I think it's ok, it's just everything attached to it that worries me. I plan on doing road trips in it with kids so I just want it to be safe
