That slid back nicely.. I see ya had to notch into the cab to clear the kickup--that'll work fine I bet..
The torsion front sure makes lowering it easy--lowering blocks and bolts for the rear are about all can be done on the cheep/easy. Cutting a notch in the frame for the rear axle or channeling the body gets compliticated for a quicky project, so I'd just get it as low as possible with simple suspension work and move on.
About cheep drivetrains. I tend to find a lot of 80s EFI 5.0 Fords with AODs that run pretty good--going to the crusher.. $100-$150 U pull it from a friend of a friend kinda thing. Buy them by the pound--cause thats all they are gonna get any way.. I have 3 I got that way. Cougars--LTDs etc. One smoked a little--one needed a timeing chain--one ran great. If they are Throttle body they'll carb easy (Holly 2 bbl bolt pattern)--the TPI injection ones are not that complicated to keep-- just get the computer--wireing and pump.. or go carbed using the lower 1/2 of the intake as a carb base, and get an older dizzy. Be sure and get the Drive shaft--they cut down and adapt to brand x rears pretty easy.
Then there's FREE! Bangers with trannies and N V6s. Lotsa imports. Mostly EFI, so you'll have to know how to mess with them (no biggie really) .. Talk it up at work--family etc--theres lotsa busted cars sittin around. Just can't be to perticular, and can't rebuild em and keep a reasonable cheep build alive, so no totally trashed ones. Lotsa bad head gaskets and cracked heads that can fix if you study careful. Sometimes it might take 2-3 freebies to make a good one--gotta scrounge..
Nice thing about a low buck quick build, you get to brag about how little you do and spend to get a driver.
Looking good..
All blue sky.
PA