Spring is around the corner! Plans for my 87' and some questions

[chevymotocross]

Been gone for a good 6 months and have returned home from Texas, training at Sheppard Air Force Base for my career. Proud of my service so far!

Being down in Texas for as long as I was, I realized how much I missed my truck, and how much CT weather is AWFUL for lowriders lol. I ENVY you Texas folks with your fancy rust free trucks/cars.

Last year, my father and I did the bulk of the body work to my 87'. Swapped the bed, replaced cab corners, rocker panels, replaced doors, fenders, lowered the truck, all new suspension parts, notched the frame, LOTS of work. This truck drives amazing now, very tight with all new MOOG parts and confident going down the road. I'm proud to claim it my own but if I had went back in time, I would have started with a rust free southern truck, after seeing what I saw in TX!

I give the 700r4 in this truck credit. It's been slipping pretty good between 2nd and 3rd for many many miles now. Now that I am more financially set, it's time to rebuild. How should I do this... should I just go with a monster transmission? Should I have a shop rebuild mine along with a Transgo shift kit and vette servo? I can't seem to get any recommendations locally for a quality transmission shop, so I'm a bit hesitant with the local rebuild option. Opinions?

Once the weather completely breaks from winter, I'm having a local body-man I've been recommended to, strip my truck of the temporary rattle-can primer, and prep the truck for paint, which I will have painted at Maaco. I'll see what he charges to paint, but I'm not looking to spend much. Maaco does decent work if the body is prepped right.... I've seen this first hand.

I plan on swapping the wheels I have on the truck now, with 15x8 rally wheels I have. Just need to find center caps and rings. Also, I'm swapping the 255/60 from back to front, tossing the tiny 235/60 I have on the front now, and putting 275/60 on the rear.

Any opinions on the Harris Performance Chips? 305 with simple bolt ons and dual exhaust. I love this engine, reliable, leaks no oil, and gets 17-18 mpg mix. In a few years I plan on doing an L31 swap, for now the 305 is great.

Also have a Mar-K roll pan sitting in my room to be bolted on.

Plan on swapping the grille for an aftermarket piece and going with the chrome bezels.