Thanks for the info. I’m picking up a 1995 Ram 1500 on Saturday. It has a 5.9 bolted up to an automatic. I’ll definitely try the mag. drill if the crank is not drilled.
You're begging for trouble. If it's not rough drilled (most are), Bobbitt the tip of the input shaft off with a wizzer wheel and move on with your life. Rough drilling a crank is begging for more trouble than it's worth.
Another way to phrase it: Which is easier and cheaper to mod? Modify that.