what I like best about keeping the straight axle is the engine sits up nice and high and it keeps things light in the front end. I think thats what I'll do, I'll just hide the front clip behind the garage just in case. So if I keep the 327 and mate it up with the 700R4, what is this lockup torque converter business? and what about the electronic speedo/mechanical speedo fiasco? Is there such a thing as a stupid question when it comes to putting new life in an old truck?