The real beauty of the T-5 especially with a truck like yours and the small cab is that you wont need to fool around with a side linkage shifting trans. Even though you won't really need the overdrive the T-5 is the way to go. You will need to find a later bell housing to go behind the 235. The T-5 is the best thing since sliced bread, as they say.
Best of luck

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed