Great information Crenwelge! Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Had a marathon 2 days at work, 29 hrs.
I did a quick search and found these drive ratios for my trans,
5.71, 3.00, 1.78, 1.00, 0.85.
I plan to go by the parts house after the holiday and see what they can do for me on the spring brakes. I also plan on using rubber to the axles but am considering using some plastic on the truck too. Be prepared for more questions when I get to the brakes!! Based on your description on how to plumb the park brake, I take it there is a separte line to the springs from the brake actuator and it is fairly obvious which line goes where on the can?
Thanks to all for your help,
Billy