Here's what I've done and plan to do to the '54 6400 I picked up several weeks ago.
1. Clean fuel tank & replace sender unit
2. Flush fuel lines
3. New 1/0 battery cables
4. Bleed brakes
5. Rebuilt carb
6. Repair driveshaft noise (carrier bearing)
7. Rebuild brakes
8. Rewire
9. New tires
Items 1 - 4 were done in preparation for driving it home.
Item 5 was done the day after I got it home. I was showing the truck to a friend and had the hood up and started it so he could hear it run. A few minutes after it started, he started yelling to shut it off. The carb float had stuck and fuel was pouring out of the carb and over the quickly warming exhaust manifold.
I'd consider that a priority safety item. Most of the old truck I've owned or helped others with, have the same problem with the carb and tend to leak fuel. NAPA had the kit in stock for it.
The brakes are next and I intend to replace all of the steel lines and hoses as well as rebuild/replace the cylinders. The lines rust from the inside and can fail when you least expect it.
The wiring in these is originally insulated with a rubber compound that now crumbles whenever it is touched. As you work on the truck and move the wiring, it tends to expose more bare wire making for another bad situation.
The multipiece rims on the truck can be a safety hazard if they are heavily rusted or serviced by someone ignorant of whats involved in doing the job. A tire shop the does a good deal of truck or agricultural business should be able to take care of them for you.
Good luck and enjoy that new truck!
