Well my current plan is;
1) Wait to hear back from my local smog Ref to dial down exactly what my options are.
2) Hopefully find a compliant 2wd 6.0 or 6.2 with a six-speed automatic combo that fits in my GVWR window (8.5k - 10k) that I can start searching for a relatively low mileage one to purchase out of wrecking yard (how hard could that be???
)
3) Get the OP Steve Van Gent, who is
"only" three short hours north of me to come down for the weekends to help sort out the wiring BS.