Sounds like you are on the right track, ask all the questions you can think of, and do some searching of past threads on this site.
For a first project I recommend keeping it mostly stock and adding upgrades like disk brakes and such a little at a time. That way you can drive it more often than not, this will help keep your enthusiasm up and make the process more fun. If start your project by disassembling the truck and buying new stuff like frames and engines you will quickly be surprised at how much money you have in a truck that is still a very very long way from driving. I would not recommend this method for a first time project. After you have played with the first one you may consider this approach for the second, or to further improve your truck in the future.
I see you mentioned "resale value", generally any major modification from original hurts it, with the exception of a 235 in place of a 216. However, if done exceptionally well any practical modification could help the value if you find the right buyer. I think it takes an extremely well designed and made "hot rod" to top the value of an excellent original restoration, And the original will probably have less money tied up in it than the modified one. In all probability you will never sell it for more than you have invested in it, you can easily spend more on parts in the first month of working on it than you can ever get back out of it.
If it's an old truck to play with and enjoy, go for it.
If its money you want to make, you will have better luck with a lottery ticket.
