Welcome Aaron, nice of your dad to give you that old truck. All the knowledge you need is here, just be sure to ask in the proper forums. If you think the column shift is anti-theft, wait until a thief tries to start it.
Just make a plan and do one thing at a time. Good brakes should be high on your priority list. Get an owner's manual for it, even better get a factory assembly manual (might be on-line)
Lots of parts available on the site here as well, just visit the swap meet.
Good luck with it.
Leo
