Manual trans help

[jgoo72]

Alright so I have a 72 2wd automatic and I want to convert it to a manual ( I love grabbing gears ). Any way I love my classic trucks, its my passion. One problem... i'm no where near mechanically inclined! I'm learning. I know a guy who is a motor head and is teaching me as we go. But someone please tell me where to begin. So far I have gathered from similar threads that I need a donor truck, check. As far as what transmission to get.... no clue. I have the cash to buy everything new and have been looking at complete kits, but seriously its all hieroglyphics to me. Any info would help.

Sincerely,
The Green Horn