I just bought a 49 GMC Burb and am new to the whole world of AD trucks.

These are my desires and I'd love some advice on how to get there:

A truck that is drivable: good brakes, good hadling, enough power, comfortable seats.

I know I want front disks, do I want rear too?

I think I want it lowered a bit.

I'm pretty sure I want a straight six. Should I look for a 270 or 302 or go with something easy to find like a 235?

A manual tranny is fine with me. Which one would you use with the straight six from above?

Thanks in advance.

Mike