It's your truck and you know your budget so go with what YOU want and forget the naysayers. If it is a 350/350 combo and it does what you want your a winner. There is a reason for boredom; it's called price and availability. From NASCAR to dirt tracks to drag strips nearly every car will have a 9" Ford rear even though a Dana 60 is tougher and the reason; price and availability. I can afford difference so my 34 Chevy 5W coupe has a FORD DOHC 4V Modular engine with electronic stack injectors. The reason---the Mod engine is beautiful with it's huge smooth Hemi heads and integrated brackets while the LS engine is a knobby looking engine that can undoubtly kick a Mod engines [censored] but I'm building for looks and that is what I WANT. You stated you want to go for long cruises so lets see who can walk into any parts store and get cheap parts: you with a 350 or the "originality" guy who went with a 308 Hudson Hornet 6 with Twin H-Power.

Evan