I have to take a car I built down to the DMV for inspection and will ask the inspectors there about changing it.
You've given yourself the BEST advice there is on this subject...talk to you local DMV.
Every State has a way to work around this issue. Just get it worked out BEFORE to dissemble any of the driveline to prevent unwanted questions/issues, it will pass an inspection a lot easier if it still looks all original than it will if it's been modified.
Mike B
