Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - 2005 P71 into 1955 f100 (P.S. first F100 build)

So I purchased a 1955 f100 4 months ago and now have completed all my research. I usually build gm muscle cars and have a lot of experience " making things work". One issue I never ran into was this solid axle ... whoa talk about throwing me for a loop usually I just get stiffer springs poly bushings rebuild the front end and done. Man this was a whole new ball game. I like to plan my builds and assign a budget with reserve in case I run into a problem. So after going over things and also getting a smoking deal on a wrecked police cruiser with 50k im going the panther front swap. Now I have read over and over again but no conclusive info about this swap. Well out comes the tape measure and plumb bobs and 2 weeks later my decision is we ( me and my father) can make this work. So our first course of action is getting that front end secured into the truck which Im thinking will take about 3 days thats including the wielding. Next we will be doing the motor, now being the Gm guy that I am I have a 383 stroker sitting in plastic wrap ready to go with a turbo 350 ( was suppose to go into my 67 camaro but decided im going 502 instead). Yes i know blasphemy and before you start flaming me keep reading. So I felt bad cause I didnt want to do this but damn are ford crate motors overpriced yes I call a spade a spade for no reason are these parts marked up for sheer profit. The 302 has been around damn near as long as a 350 and Im not spending 3800 for a long block rated at 340 hp with all the power being built in higher rpms. This is where the police cruiser comes into play I lucked into a old article from one of the mags that showed a carb 4.6 ( I really dont want all those electronics in my 55 truck) so as I read further and got more info I learned about this controller and intake made for the 4.6 that allows the use of carb but kept the factory coilpacks and let tune via laptop. I was sold my soul conflict was over Im going to have a "completely" Ford truck. I also read a ton of reviews and talked to owners of this system and they love it the simplicity of a carb and computer tune-ability of a efi. I now placed my order with that company that beings with a "S" and ends with a "T" (dont know if I can mention stores on the board) and patiently waiting on all my parts so I can begin my build. Oh yeah not to mention the horrid weather thats occuring in Cali at this time. So this is what im looking at

Front suspension = 2005 crown vic coil over system "Panther"
Rear suspension = No limit engineering leafs with 8.8 rearend
Motor = 2005 4.6 carb with Edelbrock intake holley 570 street avenger and mod 6011 ignition controller
Transmission = 4rw70 with bauman transmission controller.

I will post when I can how its going and soon as the fenders are back on the front suspension look. Also I was going aftermarket wheels to begin with so no biggie with the positive offset for me I may even roll around on the steel cop wheels for the time being more of the look im going for less = more.