Its a half ton and Im in the NE corner of KS.
After reading your guys posts, and doing a little research myself, I think I have decided on keeping the truck as orginal as possible without being obsesive about it

Unless I find an issue with safety or something I just cant take.
As stated above I will know what I want to change after driving it a bit.
I never wanted to make a rod out of it so no ,chopping, channeling,ect. My main concern was having the power to get down the road even at 55 or 60, if I can acheive that with just gears, then Ill be happy.
Thanks again guys.