Frank, sent you a PM. Thanks for the link and sorry for the long absence. I haven't gotten my truck done, in fact I haven't really even started

Just been collecting parts while I fix up my house.
At this point my plan is to adapt a T5 to my stock bellhousing (to retain my clutch and brake setup) and run a '55-'62 open rear with ~3.90's. I bought a complete '56 front axle for a Bendix brake upgrade. Haven't found a good rear yet.