Upgrading to php with higher gd

Hi there, I know this may sound stupid, but I am in need of help here. I can work with PHP, install on linux, windoze and OSX BUT, I am stuck when it comes to an upgrade!! I need to transfer a site from a dev server onto a live server, however, the live server does NOT have the higher gd stuff I need for the image uploads and resizing. I tried it all on the dev. Server originally and it all fell apart when I used up2date to bring down apache2!! AAARGH. So, I wish to stick with my apache (1.3 something) but upgrade PHP to the one with bundled gd stuff... Only question is HOW????!!?? Please advise, or point me to a useable walkthrough (I have seen a few..) Thanks in advance Tam --EOM--