73 c20 gonna get turned into tuff truck

[wwj75c30]

so i decieded im gonna turn my 73 c20 into a tuff truck for my local(ish) fair next year, i have the truck not really good for much so decided id get fun out of it. i have a 350 for it. i can get a th400/np205 for $200 and a 79 shortbed for $175 its clean. im on the look out for a dana 44 8 lug. no luck so far. im also buying a front clip off a 75 for $50. would it be worth it to straight axle it and shorten the frame and make it shortbed? it'll be in mudd boggs too. maybe even the pulls. what do you guys think?