Brian- speaking from personal experience I had a lot of fun driving my carb'd truck with 37's & locked rear all over Rausch. Is it easier now with my setup....yes....but I love the thrill of the challenge and I enjoyed that setup alot. I ran the D44/14FF for years until I locked the front. Once I was locked I kept breaking shaft's every trip (every single trip). I vote to keep the front open, this will help in turning the wheels with the push/pull steering and pickup some rims and wheel that thing.
I would post up in pirate that your looking for a flattop Chevy knuckles & eventually you'll find a deal and maybe even a used steering arm and a junk yard pump and install some crossover. I built my truck one step at a time, it wasn't the most cost effective way but I constantly wheeled it, honed my wrenching skills and didn't break the bank
P.S. Real men drive sticks....Real men who know how to wheel run auto's
Easy there with the post script
I think Brian has a crossover deal at a good price possibly on the table. I don't know if it is too good to pass up. At least I think he should get the knuckle on and maybe wait until your ready for the steering box to install the rest of the crossover.
Lock the rear for sure, but I have noticed a big difference with my front locked. Lockers for me equal taking it easier and less skinny pedal.





