Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of dropping in a 5.9 common rail engine from '03 or newer. These things are great for power and there are a ton of aftermarket parts for upgrading. Also, the 6-speed manual is more attractive to me than the older 5-speed. The disk brake conversion is also a must.
This engine is also very quiet and efficient.
However, instead of bobbing it, I think I'll pull the front of the rear axles and do an extended cab with the trailer bed. It's a longer wheel base but it'll fit the whole family when we go to rally's and stuff. The other option I have is bobbing and doing an extended cab but that leaves me with very little bed. All that "heavy duty" going to waste then.
At this point it's all still conjecture, but if you can't dream, what's the point.
When I finally do get an M35 I'll have so many ideas floating around in my head I won't know which direction to go and will probably end up leaving it stock.
Still looking and dreaming (and researching),
Jim