Hi Woody,
It's obvious you know your way around the block....so you're ahead of the average bear! Your truck "looks" like a diamond in the rough.....popping off the fenders and evaluating the usual hot spots...the cowls for deteriation will help determine just how much of a "frame-off" you'll want/have to undertake. I have never been much of a fan of complete "tear-downs" unless you were trying for maximum points, already divorced, and had a winning lottery ticket tucked in your wallet!
From my personal experience, you can plan on a 1000+ hours for a full job.....I spent 10 months, 40-60 hrs/wk just getting the essentials under control, only to find that at best, the 50's mechanicals, placed a major limitation on where I could enjoy driving. Not to put a damper on "stock restoration" or slight those who follow that path, I found that if you intend to use your truck on the 21st century highway you'd better make some serious upgrades to the gearing, brakes and electrical system.
How you go about it, will depend on just how much "get-up-and-go" you've got left. Speaking from my personal experience, restoration is a taxing challenge on the old bones!
Ultimately, you'll have to make the final call as to whether you go all out with the frame-off. I'm confident you will be able to evaluate your personal "potential" and make the right call!
Dave
