You are doing a great job on the conversion. I was in the same boat as you, but someone really wanted to buy my 72 2wd shortbox stepside. Now i have a 69 4wd shortbox stepside. It has a 4" lift, 3/4 ton axles, 33" mudders, 350 small block, TH400, and NP203 transfercase. I have a 396 i'am throwing in it. Is your tranny stock or modified? Is it capable of handling big block power? Reasoning for asking is i'am thinking of throwing same tranny in my truck too.