sounds like a fun ride when you get it done. after I got home from AIT for the Army reserves in 1990, I bought a 74 dart sport. for the engine I bought I new stock 89 360 short block. I didn't know any better at the time lol, but I installed the mopar 292/509 purple shaft cam, factory LD340 cast iron intake, Holley 750 DP carb,hooker super comp headers.
727 transmission I built my self, turbo action reverse manual valve body, 10 inch 3500 stal no name torque converter
8-3/4 rear-end, 4.10 gears with factory sure grip, street 275/60/15 tires.
my car wasn't all that fast, would run 13.20 at 105 in the 1/4 on street tires, but was a blast to drive on the street. at the time I drove the car all year, even drove it to work on day with 8 inches of snow on the ground.lol
on the rear-end if you cant find a 8-3/4 or don't want to spend the crazy money that they are going for now. look for a 8.8 out of a mid to late 90 ford explorer. They take a little work to fit into an Abody, but you should be able to get one complete from the pick and pull for $200. the axles are 31 spline, have disc brakes and you can find them with 3.73 and 4.10 gears+ posi tracs. I am putting a 8.8 in my 96 Dakota race truck
here is a Article on what to look for and what all it takes to install one.
Ford 8.8 Swap