Welcome to the Bullnose Forum! Glad you joined.
But, I don't understand the term OBS. Yes, I know it stands for Old Body Style. But that presumably means anything from 2014 back to 1917. That doesn't provide much information. I highly prefer Bullnose as most Ford people know it means 1980 - 1986.
Anyway, you say "this beauty" but no pics?
We want to see what you are getting!
And if you are picking it up from Northern AZ, where's home? I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and we can add you with a city or zip code.
On the engine, why go Mercedes? Nothing against them at all as my wife has one. But that seems like a lot of work.
Maybe you should tell us what you want to do with the truck and let us suggest a driveline combination?
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow":
Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI