Do a search on here for the term "M48A2", a user here took a deuce and made a clone of an early tractor model called the M48. It was standard deuce wheelbase, unlike the M275 tractor which was SWB. He did a very nice job, but I think all he had in mind to haul was light loads.
I would NOT recommend a deuce tractor for hauling a half-track. While it can be done, that's a LOT of weight on the rear that will have to be pulled up hills, and slowed down at stops. While using a deuce that you already have makes sense to you, you will think differently when you have to do a panic stop at a traffic light, and there's a vanload of kids in front of your underbraked truck/trailer. The lawyers representing the dead and mangled kids won't care you saved a lot of hassle by making a tractor yourself out of a deuce, they will take you for everything you have, and toss you in the brig too.
I highly recommend a 5-ton tractor, the M931 series tractors are easy to drive, and are going for cheap money at auction compared to the cost and hassle of modifying a deuce for a purpose it's not suited for. Plus, since it's a tractor already, the frame and suspension is already set up for large loads. And the braking system is much more stout.
Your location says SW Virginia. I lived in Blacksburg/Christiansburg for 5 years, so I know the surrounding hills, and you will need all the towing power and braking power you can get to deal with those long hills.
My two cents.
