yes that be suffice. axle truss or sleeve tubes for solid beef. honestly i like to think over kill. get it rolling, go wheeling and ungrade as you go and learn of your weak points.
not yet. i have flywheel and clutch disc, now need fork and slave cylinder. i think i have my peddles yet just back north though. need hardware for everything yet though.
perhaps. two rods floating on the inside to the outside latches. if bent to much could not allow the clearance for the mechanical action to take place. but i think you try lubing it up and see how far that gets you.
don't give up so easily. little at a time. read and learn and fix and repeat. you will grow as your truck gets better. you shall smile in the sunshine without stalling. keep at it.