If you wanna do all that, my man.. you need to do what the cats from "Lil Rascals Rod Shop" did with their GMC.
If I remember correctly, they took their '54 GMC (not so different from your '54 3100) and slapped it on a '84 Monte Carlo frame.
That solves alot of your problems right from the get go.. since you can often find many a Monte Carlo with the 350/350 (or 350/400) combo as well as AC, PS, PB, Cruise, etc.. and also has your "lowered stance".
You can read more about their project
here If your a beginner and have big plans for your project, i'd say the best way to go is that route.. start with the chassis that has the stuff you want on it already.
Welcome to the 'bolt, man!
