Have a few questions about 69 c10 Panel truck

[brantleyp1]

Ok, well actually I have a LOT of questions. But I'll try to space them out over time.

I just bought my first classic truck. It's a 69 C10 Panel with the 292 and what I can only assume is the original 3spd tranny. It was column shift but somewhere in the trucks 40+ years someone moved it to the floor (very jury-rigged...)

Anyways, so my first question:
With the wood bed, will a long bed flareside kit work with the panel truck? I know my truck is based on the 127inch wheelbase, so I don't see why it wouldn't.

Also, this is the first truck/car I've ever done any work to, I'm a noob. Since it's got a 292 that's still in pretty good shape, I don't plan to swap it out any time soon. But I'd like to drop in a 5spd trans from say a 80-90's truck. So what do I have to look out for swapping the trans?

Otherwise, it's nice to meet everybody and I'm sure you'll see my name again!

Brantley