newbie

[yellowgmc]

i recently aquired a 72 gmc longbox. asked the wife if i could buy it and she said only if i got ride of my broken down 88 dodge dakota 4x4 ( blown transfer case). i called the guy and we traded titles. now i have no idea where to start. i want to lower it 4/6. it's already got front discs so that's no problem. 350 rebuild has 40k on it but needs new seals pretty much every where. 3 speed tranny is stuck in 3rd. i cut the box off because when i looked at it the sheetmwtal was awfuly straight for a 30 year old mine truck and the bed was rusted totaly thru. last owner welded in a plate of 1/8 in steel and threw a sheet of plywood onto and then a plastic bedliner. the box was loaded with bondo ( cutting, sparks, cloud of white powder, sparks). i'm not sure if i should redo the suspension or the brakes first, whether the 3 speed tranny if worth fixing, and where i can get a clean longbos near me ( iron range of mn, hur and a half south of int'l falls, mn) any help would be appreciated. sorry for the long rambling post. thanks