Thank you all for the links and advice in this sonversion. It will be a while before I do this conversion, but I figure it will be more than worth it study up on this conversion. Thank you so much on the info about the frame welding and fuel tank, 53moneypit. I am still deciding what I want to do for a bed. If I am going to go with a flatbed, I will use the original to the truck. The original beds are so hard to come by. I am also considering putting on a tool body. I am also considering doing a half tool bed, half flatbed body. I have seen these on a few service trucks, I like the look, and it looks very functional. I did not find the keys to the truck which were left in the ignition when my dad borrowed it and then parked it in the back pasture a few years ago. I have found kits that replace the locks in the doors and ignition for about $50.
To answer your question 53moneypit, I hope to use a standard transmission. Mostly for durability, but also for towing capabilities.
