Dave, sorry to hear the rod went away. Hope you got decent money out of it.
As said, the early ones had the 5 lug pattern. Only 4s and V6s except the Shelby until 92 with the bowed nose.
96 and newer have OBDII, so you will want to avoid them or change it to an earlier drivetrain unless you want to mess with computers and wiring!
I'd look for a 92 318 magnum, 518 without torque converter.
You can install the whole wiring/PCM or swap to a carb-intake and electronic dist.
The trans will take any 727 converter.
You will have to swap discs in front for the 5 lug, and redrill or swap axles in back.
Here's one you could probably have together fairly quick aside from the rear fenders
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1948-DODG...=item2c53ee0840There are guys here and the other site that have done these year trucks....
