1st Gen Crew Cab Engine

Thanks for all of your in put guys, I greatly appreciate it!

It seems like my best option would be to keep saving up money and look for a good Cummins donor rig. I know it will push the project off further while I save up the money, I really want this build to be done right so I can keep it as my 'forever truck'.

The biggest thing I don't like about the 1st gen Cummins rigs is that they seem so loud. I know so of that has to do with the exhaust, but I think a lot of it is noise inherent to the engine itself. I've thought about adding sound deadener to the inside of the cab and engine compartment to help reduce the noise in the cab while its running. Any other ideas?