Welcome to the bolt!. Since you're new and want to learn, I suggest you join this GROUP immediately. You can't go wrong hanging around these guys. Buy plenty of hand cleaner and rags, you are going to need them. Buy a shop manual, buy a shop manual, buy a shop manual! Take the truck to a local mechanic that has lot's of experience with these trucks and have him do a thorough inspection and have him give you a detailed report on what needs to be done. Listen to what he says and concentrate on the safety issues first, don't go off and buy some cool wheels and shiny parts before you fix what needs to be fixed.

Don't get discouraged when you find out that this truck needs work that you did not know about, that's what owning old trucks is all about and why guys like them. If you wanted a new truck you would have saved the money to buy one. .......g

PS: I forgot to mention, Buy a shop manual!