Welcome Zsculptor we have pretty much the same truck you and I. I think the first decision is if this is the truck you want to work with. Big money and time saved by starting with the truck you want instead of trying to convert one into another. Search the forum for info from Grigg's and Fox these guys are solid gold.
These trucks worked fine for many years but there have been improvements since. Upgrading the rearend and going to discs on the front will give you better brakes and gear sets available along with more readily found replacement parts and if you're like me and have 700-18 tires a change to more than one choice of tire would be nice. Once you get past the running gear, replacement parts are not as big a hurdle.
6 cylinders are more than enough to move this truck and the engine compartment is not overly spacious.
There is a lot of info on this site, you are in good hands now.
Chuck
Last edited by Gooberdog; 03/23/2017 2:29 PM. Reason: spelling
