hey all just curious if it is possible to use any sort of modern hydraulic kit since the units back in the day are hard to find... i'd like to get a blade in the future...

I don't think there are any sorts of kits to do this. With a lot of measuring and a good machine shop, a shaft with a coupling can be made that would reach a modern pump mounted in front of the radiator. A mount needs to be made that bolts to the bottom of the radiator that the pump would bolt to. Then a valve and tank need to be made and the plumbing figured out. The size of the cylinders will dictate the size of the pump.

This all sounds more difficult than it really is. Some careful thought, a scratch pad and tape measure is really all it takes for design. If you don't have access to a machine shop/welding equipment and have to have parts made is where the money pit starts. The valve and pump would be the cheapest parts, cylinders can be scrounged and rebuilt but ag cylinders aren't too costly either.

If you're lucky, you might be able to find someone that has a complete blade and hydraulic setup for sale. If it's for a 5J, the blade can be cut down in width to fit the 3J. . .