Congratulations!!! That's a beautiful truck, and you're sure to enjoy the process of getting it running again.
It ran 8 years ago, eh? you're bound to get advice across the spectrum, from "I'd tear the whole thing down before trying to turn it over", to "just throw a battery in her and see what happens!". You'll have to decide what level of "caution" you feel is appropriate, and what your budget (money AND time) allows.
Here's what I WOULD do (take it or leave it!):
Pull all six plugs, and examine them for obvious issues, ie: if one is completely oil-soaked, or fouled. If nothing jumps out, clean 'em up and set them aside. Put a few squirts of (Pick one:) engine oil; Marvel Mystery Oil; Engine tune up treatment in each cylinder. Replace the cleaned plugs.
Pull the top valve cover off. Look for obvious signs of problems with the rocker arms and push rods. If nothing jumps out, liberally squirt engine oil over the rockers and valve stems. Once the engine starts, it takes a minute or two for oil to get up top. Replace the valve cover.
Pop the cover off the distrubutor. See that there's nothing fouling the points. Hit 'em real quick with a touch of sand paper or a points file. Check the rotor and cap for carbon build-up, clean as necessary. Put a drop of oil on the distributor cam while you're at it. Replace the cap. Note that it IS indexed.
BTW, how do the plug wires feel? Are they brittle and stiff, and crackle when you flex them? If so, you're probably headed for a new set. If the local parts store can't run you're truck model, you can get a universal six-cylinder set, but I'd try hard to get the older style, solid-core wires.
Pull the battery and get it replaced, if you don't already have one to use. Clean the battery cables. WHile you're at it, clean the ground strap where it attaches to the frame. Usually, it helps just to loosen the bolt and nut holding it, then tighten them up again.
Did you check to be sure there's oil in the engine? Check the coolant level while you're at it.
It would be nice to confirm that the engine isn't locked up before putting juice to the starter. The EASIEST way, is with a hand starting crank. You probably don't have one (but it's worth checking behind the cab seat!). Some people are able to tension the fan belt with one hand, and pull the fan towards them with the other, and get the engine to turn a little. I've done this maybe twice successfully, out of like 20 attempts. If I don't have a crank, I pull the bottom cover from the flywheel off underneath, and use a pry bar on the flywheel teeth to lever the engine around. If it turns at all, in any direction, it's not locked up. Yay!
Finally, drain the old gas out of the tank. There's a pet-cock on the bottom of the tank I think - you'll want a pair of plyers. Put in 5 gallons of fresh gas. Pull the air filter off, and pour a tiny amount of gas down the carb. throat. Squirt some WD-40 or such on the throttle and choke linkages.
I'd maybe turn it over with the starter a little before turning on the ignition, to start getting oil flowing. Then, pump once or twice on the pedal, pull the choke, and give her a go!
Once she fires, don't over-rev her too hard, just what it takes to keep her going until she's warmed up. I'd put her in gear, move her forward a little, put it in reverse and move her back, and after she's run 10 or 15 minutes, shut her off.
Drain the oil and put in fresh. Drain the coolant and put in fresh. Then run her some more. Other issues will crop up, to be sure. But once it's running, it's a lot easier to stay motivated.
Good luck, and KEEP US POSTED!!! :-)
-Michael
