Collision Class

My youngest son Mike (18) has started a Collision class for 1/2 day at the county vocational school. We have a few minor dents that he should be able to fix. He wants to have me send the 1953 Dodge M 37 to the school so the automotive guys can go over the entire truck and then bring it into the collision shop and do a frame off restoration. I like the idea but I don't know if 1 year is enough to do an entire restoration. I would say the truck is 90% restored in the past 10 years, but it wouldn't hurt to take it apart and see how things are.

I would really like to change the rears to something lower, even a 4.10 and maybe disc brakes, but then it would no longer be a "true" vintage truck. I would also like to have a heater installed as they didn't come with them early on.

My concern would be parts getting lost over that time frame.
Who would be responsible?

If you were going to re-gear and add disc brakes a newer set of axles might be cheaper/stronger. Not sure what is available for disc brake conversion on those old closed knuckle dana 60s.

How about finding a US Gear overdrive unit and have it installed between the bellhousing and transmission? Extra gear shifters area always welcome!

US Gear is out of business now I believe and only gear vendors left.

It took my most of my Sr yr in high school auto shop class to rebuild my brothers 350 in his truck. 3hrs a day sounds like a lot, but damn few days were dedicated entirely to the truck. Lots of other crap going on in the class that has to be handled at the same time.