Build me a truck engine..........

I gotta agree with the above two posts.
You COULD get a 5.9 & use the Edelbrock heads with oil through rockers (like Comp Pro Magnum’s or equal) and then use any LA intake and carb, though that factory F.I. is a gem. Works great and keeps the inside excellent.

Then get the OD of your choice. IDK which one you would favor between the 727 or 904 variants. As a starting point of reference, all of my Magnum powered trucks had a 3.55 gear set. They were quick but cruised the Hwy. @ a nice and low rpm. Going higher to 3.91’s is a route I don’t think I’d travel. Though I’m sure it would prove interesting and fun. It’s just the cruise rpm that I’m not so possibly in favor of.

Any whooooo, that’s my take of what I’d do myself though I didn’t mention the sprinkling of HP parts. But a very mild just off stock cam would be the max size cam I’d look at. If I could get a cam designed for towing somewhere, I’d probably do that. More torque? Hell yea! Less mileage, ehhh, not so much.

That’s my 2 cents there Justin P. Whatever route you take, best of luck.
On a different note, how’s that hot rod doing?
I like that car.