Brainstormin' 440 vs 5.9 ...

Yes. You asked what the 440 would do in the truck with a $500 budget in post 1.
Yes, but the 440 with 500.00 would have included a cam swap, raising the shift point. AS IS, I'm going to use common sense and try it with 4.30's out of town, but will move the gearing down if necessary. It will just be a RV 440 with less gearing and one rusty cylinder..... we'll see how your 16.9 holds up :)