440 build for a tow rig/"muscle" truck?

Figured I'd bring this back instead of starting a new thread. Now that the weather is finally warming up I'm getting back around to making progress on this build. If it's nice this weekend I'm gonna clean and paint the block and maybe install the crank if I have time.

I've been seeing a lot of discussion (some of which I've participated in) about bad-quality hydraulic FT lifters wiping out cams in recent months. I wasn't sure what to do for my engine until today I decided to check Hughes Engines and noticed they sell hydraulic FT lifters "Made in USA" by Hylift-Johnson. You guys think they would be a safe choice? And what about the cams themselves, I'd be tempted to take them up on their guarantee but I have to purchase all the valvetrain components from them in one order.

If not I'm gonna just bite the bullet and go hyd roller. I might not be opposed to going solid FT but the extra expense of adjustable rockers and the geometry kit to get them in the right place seems like more trouble/cost than it's worth... is it? I'm not afraid of adjusting valve lash once in a while... also this is for a tow rig and the majority of off-the-shelf solid cams I see are way too radical for my application. Total cost for solid FT cam+lifters+rockers+geometry kit is about on par with cost for roller lifters and cam from Hughes.

Another question, I had my machine shop send the crank out for balancing with the 440source rods and Icon pistons. These rods are set up for press-fit pins; should I attempt to hang the pistons myself or just take them back to the machine shop and have them do it? I'm leaning towards taking them in because I have none of the equipment for hanging pistons on rods and I'm leary about overheating the small ends on these nice brand-new rods.