[Mike K]

That is a good plan, swapping out the gears.

You probably would know this already. I believe that some of the Ford gears will swap with the contemporary Dodge 'New Process' gears. As used in the 4 speed Dodge gearbox, Weapons Carrier and many other Dodge trucks.

A late friend of mine did a similar steering shaft fix. He had a 46 Dodge sedan , the worm on the end of the steering shaft was very worn out. He found a NOS Ford shaft , cut the worm of it and he got a professional welding business to weld the NOS worm onto the Dodge shaft. Ford and Dodge parts have some interchangeability. This method of repair is frowned upon by the 'engineers' but you gotta do with the parts that are on hand.

For fixing two shafts together , instead of welding you can also use ROLL PINS. I've seen the TV car restoring guys use Roll Pins on steering components and the method seems to be what is recommended.

Your last pic where you are pointing to the two legged rear mount casting on the back of the gearbox, I've seen one of those cast mounts fail, it broke off where the legs protrude. I welded it together with a stick welder !