Stutter, be sure to keep us posted. Sounds like a very interesting project and something different. I'm also glad to see you are "saving one" that might otherwise went the way of the tin monster or the rust worms. And not tearing up a nice original pickup to make a rat/art pickup.
....I was in Lake Havasu some years ago. Almost took a job with a company called Hydro Dynamics. I do remember stepping off the plane, in mid July, and the thermometer reading 115 at the Rodeway Inn. When I ask a realtor about cutting grass she informed me "we don't cut grass, we rake rocks'. Still, I like the area.
Keep us posted on your project. We are here to help and there is not much these guys haven't seen or helped with. Good luck.