Trans question

[slomotion]

I hope I can describe this without writeing a book! I have a '68 C20 factory dually with a 9'6" flat bed rack body. It has a 292 and a rock-crushing 4 spd trans. I'm hauling the trans and engine out in prep for body paint and useing the opportunity to clean up and detail the engine. (Paint, new gaskets, a few goodys etc.)

The trans is a 117 mm unit and is almost as big as a small block eng. What I'd like to do is put an AOD in it. The engine bellhousing is mounted to a riveted cross-member which is the rear mount and the trans is bolted to the bellhousing with no support under it. I know a small V8 bell housing will bolt up to the 292, I'd need a flex-plate, torque converter, etc, and I suspect I'd have to modify the drive shaft. Would I have to create another cross member to support the auto trans?

Has anyone done this? I don't mind the shifting, but for the size of this monster, I essentially only have a three spd because 1st is low enough to climb trees, but is used up in 25 yards, so 99% of the time I leave in 2nd. This is not a race truck, or a work truck just a fun get-around-town type of ride.

Thanks for your input!