I was 100% in your same shoes. I was convinced I was going to go with a Budget Donor Build, with a few upgrades along the way.
Carbd 302; T5; 5-lug; Disk Brakes; etc...
But, like you, I realized there was no single donor that had everything I wanted.
Knowing I was going to have to use some of a donor, and buy new/used other parts... I stumbled into a Non-Donor base build, and it worked out perfectly.
I found a used 5.0 from a 1999 Explorer (GT40p heads) for a song. After selling the GT40 parts to Mustang Guys, I was sitting on a long-block for only $125.
Found a used T5z from a failed mustang project.. for a song.
Found a used 8.8 with 3.55 gears and SN95 Axles.. yeah.. for a song.
Found a guy almost giving away a set of SN95 spindles and PBR Brakes.
Found a used 1998 Pedal Box.. you guessed it.. for a song.
Used 92 fuel tank; AutoZone rebuilt steering rack with 2.5 ratio; new in-town built DriveShaft; Core-Charge trade-in on used PBR brakes; Used Fox Brake Booster;
Mazda Miata Parking Brake; SpeedHut gauges; Speedway 12 circuit hot-rod wiring harness;
You get the idea.
I'll admit, I'm in fact a bit over my "full donor" build budget, but only by a few grand. And that few grand over, is more than compensated by the fact that I have the build I wanted, with the parts I wanted.. and almost no compromise.
So... if you watch Craigslist like a hawk, and keep an eye out for what you know you want, you'll find what you need!
A thread I started a little while back, in an effort to help others approaching a F5 build from a similar mind set. Including my findings with a few SN95 parts.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...ught-I-d-share