I have a 1993 Dakota that I drive on the street and bracket race. I want to move the leaf springs into the frame rails and looking for methods others have used to get it done. I'm thinking I'll make front hanger boxes like the MP kit for A bodys(using thicker material) and sliders on the rear. Anyone have any advice? Pics? Thanks

Are you intending on using the factory Dakota fuel tank? The left spring front bracket will be getting pretty close to the fuel tank. Your going to have to at least drop the tank to do much welding on that spring perch area.

The MP kit is designed to fit inside a tube frame and uses the inside part of the rail to mount the kit. A Dakota is a "C" channel where the spring brackets attach and the vertical wall is on the outside. You would probably have to box the frame, and remove the bottom section, at which point you may be farther ahead just drilling holes through the frame and inner boxing to bolt the front spring to.

The pictures are a 91 standard cab, long box, but other then the length, a 93 is the same frame design, and the fuel tank mounting compared to the front spring perch is the same, regardless of the frame length. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the exact area. Gene

If you're willing to go thru with the frame modifications to move the springs in board, I would suggest kicking around the idea of 4 linking it and using coil overs rather than leaf springs.

That's what I did.

I am definitely replying to an old thread. But I have soon will have a 95 Dakota and want maximum rear tire clearance at minimal effort. I saw 2 items that I think would accomplish that. So for the front I thought about welding the pictured pair of brackets to the frame for the front of the leaf springs. For the rear of the leaf spring the "Slider " brackets would be welded to the frame. Then a partial boxing in of the frame where those new brackets are welded.

Here are some pictures I kept from a post a guy on Facebook made when he did his. I don't have Facebook anymore and lost his contact info.

I am entertaining what was done in the above pics as well. The truck in the pics was well done. Thank you for posting them. If the springs are moved completely inside the frame Ill have to get a fuel cell to mount in the bed.