Thanks, all! I've signed up at oldgmctrucks.com as well. I love the old truck, and it was my dad's favorite as well. I do know I've got a great foundation in how solid it is, and my plan is simple: get it mechanically sound so I can drive it, keep it as original as possible (not just "stock" but original), and never get it so nice I'm afraid to haul a greasy engine block in it.
China has been a great experience. The students are wonderful (although somewhat lower in their English level in our part of Western China). The culture is stressful since I don't speak much Chinese but life here is getting easier all the time. It's been worthwhile in so many ways. And teaching is in the genes, I guess: my dad was a teacher for 35 years (at Knoch High School, Saxonburg, PA, since I see coach-frank is local).
By the way, I see 6.00 and 6.50-16 radials on lots of trucks here, as well as a lot of other intriguing and nigh-unavailable sizes in the States. The vehicles can be... well... interesting. Don't rush out to buy the first Chery they import. ;-)
-Dave
