Hi, everybody.
Thank you so much for all the advice! If anybody has any more thoughts, please post them! It's a big decision to me, but it's sooo tempting.
The real decision is whether or not I want to start another expensive hobby that's going to be so addictive and time consuming. I really need to balance my hobby time and my family time. It seems like one of those always gets starved while the other gets my full attention. If only I could work on something just a couple hours a week...
Regardless, if I jump in, here's what I've gotten from your posts so far:
1) For either a 6-cylinder or an 8-cylinder, new parts are readily available. I won't be scrounging through junk yards looking for an alternator or something.
2) Power steering and power brakes are available for extra money, or I can buy a kit to put power steering and brakes on a truck.
3) I didn't see too much regarding automatic vs. straight, so I assume it's personal preference there.
4) Gas mileage is going to be low regardless of the engine, but I assume a 3-speed manual 6-cylinder would give the best gas mileage.
5) I should buy a truck that is already road-ready so I can enjoy it as I work on it.
6) This is going to be a ton of fun, and I'd enjoy the truck when it's finished.
I don't see any hold-up right now, except the time it would take away from my family, which is a big deal. Has anybody found away to strike that balance?
Thanks again for all the well-thought-out and quick advice. I've got some thinking to do, and I'll also see if my library has "How to Restore Your Chevy Pickup."
Steve.
