Randy, you are going to need a shorty BB 727 (70's 4X4 divorced transfer case). Start looking now! Have no idea on the A weight, my 89 B just dropped off a load at the dump and empty it weighed 4180 w/me (205)!
Superfreak and Kick, thanks. It's still tough.
Ran, the more the merrier, I can share!
As an update, I'm in the body shop class, hope to start actually working on it tomorrow or next week.