I bought the truck in 1993 and it looked like this:
I had no luck with it! The motor died and i got a new (used) one then the tranny died and i got a new one then starter,alternator,power steering and so on!
I decided to do a frame off rebuild and on that way i customized it a little!
It took 16 years and lots of money to get it back on the road but by doing as much work as possible myself is very satisfying!
You´re going that route and your advantage is that you live on the other side of the atlantic ocean where it is much easier and cheaper to get parts new or used!
If you have a vision of the finished truck work towards it step by step!
Its worth it!
Volker