If I had to do it over again thoughts.


I would buy a truck with the body work mostly done if not all done if I could find a started project that someone else could not finish. (aka funding was lost)
. Nothing takes more time than body work unless you are just replacing the whole panel with aftermarket. between the cutting fabricating. sanding priming etc.

Engines can be fixed for a lot less hours or found running where someone has pulled and gone restomod with a LS or crate 350 etc.
The rest can all be broken down into smaller projects. Or upgraded etc. And 90% of it is bolt on / wrench turning or pulling wires.
While your waiting make the decision are you going garage queen to start and you love just working on them more than driving them.
Or you want to drive it and work projects as you go. I was the latter. So found my truck (way to much rust) did the minimum to make it a driver. And my son has it as his daily driver since he was 16 now 23.
We worked on projects as we went with rules of no more than 60 days downtime for a major project. Like rewiring the whole truck, disc conversions, new rear end after old one exploded. AC installation etc.
Restomod but driver was our plan.

If you love just making them not driving then another route may be your plan.

And once you know the plan and its a plan a real plan written down priced out and thought about.
Buy what you can and keep it on the shelf. Reasons. Its ready when you are. aka a perfect rainout and they garage is free this weekend to put on new brakes. You don't have to wait on shipping or delays. Keep two projects ready on shelf one gets used spend the money and replace with new parts next project. Second its cheaper in the long run. I have yet to see parts prices go down on any of these trucks over the 7 years.

Price thoughts.
Spend a lot do a little, spend a little do a lot. On the initial buy.

Lastly and most importantly.
1) MAKE A PLAN to start. I cannot tell you the number of extra parts or stupid minor wasted expenses for not having a plan.. Follow the plan. It can be changes or modified as you go but that just means more planning so you don't get sideways.

2) LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY> ITS YOUR TRUCK, NOT THIS FORUMS, NOT SOMEONE ELSES you make the call that make you happy. Seek out opinions but only right one is YOURS period. There is no right way, best way, only way to do these trucks. The right way, best way, only way is the one that makes you grinning from ear to ear while your rolling down the road.


PS. These guys will keep you from getting killed or getting really bad lung disease. So do pay attention to safety advise. (how many times on forums do I see guys talking about sand blasting without a respirator.)