A welcome from me, too!
I would like to add my concurrence to the recommendation to drive it as is to begin with. Your truck, in good, safe, operable condition is a thoroughly driveable truck with only minor mods.
I only say this to make sure you understand that extensive and expensive modifications are not really necessary to make the truck driveable and capable in modern traffic...
It is good advice to make the truck driveable to begin and have fun with it as is before doing things to it that will not be able to be undone ...
John
