Unless you are journeyman or better welder, have a truck shop shorten yer frame..diesel's gonna go up too, which is a ripoff, as diesel is a by-product of making gasoline..what do ya have fer an engine now?
Yer existing gearing should work..the small cats work well, but you'll have to get with a truck shop again to make sure your 5spd will bolt up and you can plan on spending about 5K for an engine, clutch and bellhousing..
Might be cheaper in the long run to buy a used late model diesel rig and rob whatever you need for yer bolt...
