Well Do you want an old body style or an NBS.

An 8.1 CC still going to run about 18 to 19k dollars.

Could go with a 99 or 98 3/4 ton chev. get a 454 vortec, dump the cpi, and do a ram jet. plus world of options for the gen v big block, far as heads, cams. . I think those can be had for cheap and they came in crew cabs too. Not to mention, 572 ram jet motor(from ASM) will bolt right in

Or else go with 8.1 stuck with one aftermarket source(raylar) but get ls1 style engine controls, intake and exhaust configs. Slim pickins for the 8.1 far as aftermarket support, nothing like the lsx small block. But also you get a truck from the factory with darn near 500ci, just waitin for the right person.
And I see Raylar has forged cranks, with one being a stroker crank(525ci) made by Callies , They seem to have it all listed, billet rods, mahle forged pistions, and all the goodies. pricey and dont know about their deliverly times though.

But would NOT go with a turd. oh I mean ford, well one in the same, I guess.