Wow, two Boss 429's!  I think you did better in the long run, the GT sure didn't have much of a depreciation cycle but i'm guessing it won't go up too much more.

I made my own mounts and headers for my 88 Ranger, It had a 2L and no in EFI so I used an 88 4.0L and a 83-85 factory Holley carb on a Performer RPM, and a steel gear on a Duraspark.I moved the engine right against the firewall to allow using a mechanical fan and clear a V6 rad and shroud which cooled perfectly.Weighed 2780 lbs and ran 12.68 with just a B303 cam and T5 and 3.73 gears. Also got real decent gas mileage.
 I sold it and swore i'd never have anything that resembles a free moving service again. Unfortunately the tiny little sports car didn't work out when I sat in aMG Midget at the wrecking yard and imagined where my feet would go with the firewall moved enough. So a 62 Ranchero still looks like a car from the front and i'll just have to be careful never to let the family see the back end.

Definitely a few bugs to work out. The linelock if there is one either doesn't work or no brake pressure to the fronts. Not sure what convertor but that launches soft despite the RPM. Nice looking car. Looks like a few cool ones at that track. (Cecil County, Rising Sun Maryland)

The power steering pressure and any brake hoses need to be the crimped on ends and not the stuff you can assemble at home in a vice. There are a few local places that do that and have the proper fittings too. Should be places like that near you.

Good on Summit...

https://add.pics/YVn5Db

That Dyno Don Maverick is nice to see put almost back to they way it was when I saw at at Bakersfield in exact as-discovered condition. I was stunned to see it there the new year with some huge modifications, new roll cage, aluminum tunnel, Powerglide!!!!, Modern sheetmetal intake and new carbs, etc. Like seeing Tyler da Vinci borrowed great grandpas painting from Loivre and "updated" it with a Hollister shirt and spiky blonde hair.
 Now it looks proper. Wonder how much of that RWJ got done?

With leaf springs there's no need for coilovers and the leaf will ride better.
 i had a 61 Meteor, same chassis. I looked at that Crown Vic stuff too and decided against it. Even the flat faced 05 and newer Mustang wheels the tires would sit too far outboard and the frame is just not shaped to take that crossmember without a LOT of hacking. A couple new  pieces fixed up that original suspension and that car was a dream to drive.
Compare that to all the aftermarket coilover sh!+ in my 70 Cyclone and there is no comparison. A car almost as big and heavy, yet rides like metal wheeled roller skates. Pretty sure the Meteor would outhandle it too despite being a wagon on skinny 15" tires vs a hardtop with foot-wide 18" rubber.