73' B3 340 Duster pro touring build

Ross,
one of the things you can do to still stiffen your frame is box the front rails which eliminates that folded over junction and cleans up the compartment. You cut off the extra metal the full length of the rails and you do a full pen weld the length of the rails at that corner.
Andrew

Good Idea Andrew, once I get the steering column mounted I may have to make that mod too...since I'll be running a small block the factory rails will be in plain sight.