I've kinda thought of the same type of deal myself, but in interest of wanting it to be able to tow and haul I'd rather go with a big truck to start with....
The problem with a lighter truck and having all the big truck stuff on it, is your getting close to maxing out its payload with the heavier parts, kinda makes it not useful for much else but shows.
I'll second that.
When I started my project truck I already had a 1 ton running and driving I could have put my chosen engine and transmission in. But I realized/understood that I'd then be building a truck much more capable than a 1 ton truck, and it'd weigh a tad more to start with.
The better plan I thought (and still do) was to find a 2 ton which provides a heavier frame more in line with the capabilities of the rest of the truck I wanted to build. In the end it's not much bigger and only a tad longer than the 1 ton, but a much better matched or proportioned truck.
I have some experience with the opposite of that as well. I bought a 1961 F350 with a Detroit Diesel 6V53T swapped into it. This would be similar size and weight to the 478 V6 you're considering also putting into a 1 ton. The truck had a 10 speed Roadranger and I swapped larger axles/brakes under it. In the end the VIN tag in the truck said it was rated for 10,000 lb, and it weighed in just over that with a half tank of fuel and nothing else. It was/is a nice truck, but it's not very well proportioned, the frame looks quite spindly for what the truck is and can do.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118082...esel6V53T?authuser=0&feat=directlinkFor what you want it sounds to me like you'll be better off starting with a small/short version of whatever truck you can find that actually came with your chosen engine under the hood.
Grigg
