Thanks to everyone for the responses and support.

@406 - I'd seen "sneaky pete" on youtube and other sites. What a sound!
Also, the "welderup" diesel rod is sweet- although quite a bit different than what I have in mind it's probably closest I've seen anywhere to my concept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpjPIj1YF0M

Dave - sounds like you want a modified dune buggy! The diesel and the need to handle the torque (heard you there, IC2) will make it heavy for a rod, but that will help the snow traction, that and a set of thin knobby tires to cut thru the greasy lake effect snow. With no fenders I am visualizing four huge rooster tails of snow as I drift around a corner steering with the throttle at opposite lock. Might have to fender the fronts so I don't cover my own windshield, though...

IC2 - I've seen any number of rotted out diesel trucks for a song. Mostly not the cummins, though! Although your point is well taken, and I might end up with the 7.3 just because they seem to be available much cheaper, my main plan at the moment is the cummins because the six should package better with the front driveshaft. But I haven't looked at either closely enough yet to lay out how it could work.

Sfort and IC2 - thought about both the Bronco and/or one of the lighter dodge 4x4s as a donor chassis, then either cutting it down or relocating the front wheels to get the wheelbase I need to package the driveline and set up the front wheels in the look I want. Depends on the body I find, which engine, etc. And then whatever chopping in the back might get the stance sweet. But this is the stuff I don't really know about yet - I like the look of the front suspension you'd see on a belly tank racer with the long arms and transverse leaf, but... Anyone know where to go get some details on how those are setup, what spring setup (and spring rates for a big heavy engine...) might work for that? And I hadn't thought of the airbag setup. Being able to lift everything right up off the axles would be a great call for when things are plowed sometimes and sometimes not so much. How much angle change can u-joints take?

About the salt - It's a fact of life here...This would be finished pretty "ratty" specifically so I don't have to care! I'd just have to clean it up and paint it thick to protect it from too much rust.

Thanks again to everyone - I appreciate it and am all ears - and if folks could please let me know what areas I should be reading up on to learn the craft I'd be most grateful.

Planning