[TJ's Chevy]

Start with ALL the Mechanical 1st. Get the engine running good and make sure its worthy of a good tune up. Check the radiator fluid and make sure there's no rust in the system and preferably flush the system out. Check your fuel line and the tank to make sure there's not a bunch of rust and crap in there. Then move to the tranny... weather its an auto or manual.. check the fluid levels and change them if needed and make sure it shifts fine. Then move to the rear axle and inspect it and make sure the gear oil is up to level and not full of water. I'd also check the front suspension(upper lower ball joints ect) for wear and tear and grease them. Then check your brake master cylinder and make sure it will hold foot pressure and the fluid is to the top. Then drive it! See how she runs...do a burnout or two and go from there. So here's a sum up:
1st. Make sure its mechanically sound.
2nd. Make sure you have a good drive train.
3rd. Make sure your electrical is all working properly.
If all that is fine....then I would move to the body. Unless I was doing a frame off restoration then I would tear it down and put a crate engine in it. lol