You need to sawp out axles, etc to go open driveline. The springs are different on open drivelines, because they carry the torque from the axle. Close drivelines transmit the torque thru the torque tube. (Doh!)
1/2 ton rear ends are a bit light for a V-8. I ran one a while back, if you drive gently it'll hold, probably, but it's on the edge. No pwer shifts, no shift kit.
George
