Just a thought...
You have a 3/4 ton with 8 lug axles. There is no disc brake kit currently available for that truck.
Installing a V8 is not a simple bolt on instalation. It will require careful planning and fabrication. A 302 GMC 6 cylinder will give you all the power you could use and bolt right in where the original 228 was.
As for transmissions, the NV4500 ranks high for any truck that will do towing. This transmission can be made to work with the original 6 cylinder bellhousing.
Trucks are really cheap in this economy. If you are set on a V8, consider buying one that has already had that swap. You will be $$$ ahead, and you can preserve that unmolested jimmy for someone who will appreciate it for what it really is... A 56 year old truck that has thrived and survived.
John
