tks for the input.  As for the shaft angle, i'm good there, but barely.  I had to notch out the joints so that it the front shaft would turn both when engaged and disengaged.  Its close, but works smooth.  I drove the chassis around using only the front axle for drive! FWD straight truck! 
as for the suspension, I originally kept the shackle in, at the rear of the spring, but found the axle was too high under the chassis.  I wanted to maintain the factory ride height.  I figured unless I do a 4 link on the front axle, its probably not going to have much articulation anyway
can you post a pic of a front axle setup in one of your 6x6's ?