Where does one start?

[Diablo de la Noche]

I want to fix this truck up, but also want to enjoy it as long as possible. Where do I start? I know I have to go through every square inch of it and probably replace most of the soft stuff. Its a 67 longbed with almost no rust. I got it started at the dealer (yes, the dealer) and it scared me. the engine is a chevy 350 and is really untamed. I had it towed to my house because they said it was unsafe to drive on the highway. Now, why did I buy an unsafe vehicle from a dealer? Because it is a 67 GMC longbed with no rust and was only $900.
So, no rust, no straight panels but no real kinks, solid underneath, scary 350, and nothing works right. It does run and drive and I want to enjoy it. It won't be a resto because I don't want to put in the original v-6 and the numbers won't match anyway. It will be a mild custom. Where do I start?

[70LonghornCST]

I'd start off by getting it road dependable so you can enjoy it. Everything under the hood needs to be dialed in, as well as brakes and suspension if needed. Then, I would make sure any electrical issues are addressed. After that, begin with any needed body work. Replace sheet metal if needed or repair if you are able. Get her straight and dependable and ride the heck out of her. The rest will follow...

[Diablo de la Noche]

Ok, the question was asked, and now the entertainment. Just about everyone has a story about how they met their perfect match. You know how nothing goes right and you know it, but you think maybe it's just a spiritual test? Well, that is what happened. I've been scouring auto trader, the paper, and craigs list. I told my buddies that I would but the vehicle that really grabbed me. The wife told me I could spend $2,000 (shut up, your wife set your limit, too!). I was all over town, physically searching for that car parked in front of someone's house with the "for sale" sign, less than $2k. I checked CL right before bed and there she was, the beast.
Early monday morning I was in that fly-by-night dealership, thinking about the catch, why is this deal so good? These guys were brutally honest with me. They said plenty of guys have called and some showed up, but no papers signed. The truck was parked in the back of the dealership, hidden from public view, in a effort not to scare off customers. We went out and they said they would have to jump it because the battery was a tiny little thing, like for a tractor or something. We propped open the hood with a windshield squeegee-thing like at the gas stations, that was stored in front of the radiator. The red cable was so corroded it was solid. I knew the jump was going to be an adventure. Good.
We hooked it up and nothing but "click, click, click". So, after about half an hour, the jumper cables start smoking and it finally starts. Now, I haven't been around a real engine in many, many years and forgot what they were all about. It's one thing to watch them on tv and read about them, but when the (semi) controlled chaos is mere inches away, you tend to cringe when that throttle is opened, even a little. I got in the cab and romped on it, just a little. Just a little is all I am willing to take a chance with right now. The whole cab shook like I was driving over washboards at a hundred miles an hour. Unfortunately the rest of the truck shook independently from the cab, the hood, the fenders, the bed, even the doors were rattling away. I thought the windows were going to shatter inside the doors!
While we were sitting in the office, sweating our butts off, (95 degrees at 9 in the morning? That's El Paso!) a guy walks in asking about the truck. I told him he should have been here an hour ago, but he is welcome to look at the truck. I figured I would rub it in a little. The salesman tells me that the prevous owner drove it every day all over the place, but they couldn't figure out how. The mechanic got in and drove it 10 feet, put it in reverse, parked it against the fence, and refused to drive it any further. "It's a safety hazard" he said. So I had them tow it to my house. $35 all the way across town.
I questioned myself as to why they wanted to get rid of this thing so bad. Still can't figure it out.
I went out into my garage where the beast is sleeping, and it stinks like old gas. I told my wife it smells like a proper garage, not like the new house it actually is.
All the guys that see it are all thumbs up. My wife said "it must be a guy thing". My daughter said "why?". Of course that was after I told her I sold her car so I could buy it, and she believed me. I love being a dad.
I figure I got a pretty good deal. I spent $895 pluss "TT&L" which came out to $1175, including the tow, and it is totally legal, paperwork wise. I even got a free pair of vise grips to roll up the window. Just keep your kids away from the street when you see me coming, it is still a safety hazard!

[Diablo de la Noche]

So...
1-Engine tune
2-Brakes
3-Suspension
4-Electrical
5-Metal
6-Paint
7-Engine rebuild if needed
Is that pretty much the order to do things? I haven't done one before, but have some mech experience, just not on vehicles, so much. (military, aircraft, support equipment, and my kid's car)

[OARNGESI]

Welcome really great story on your truck sounds like your already enjoying it

[1970 Bowtie]

Welcome to the boards,that was a great story and you sound really excited about your new truck.You will find a lot of great folks on here that are more than happy to help and answer any and all questions you may have.Congrats and keep us posted of your progress and post some pics when you get a chance.

[72BlckButy]

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more.

[redneckgirl]

Welcome to the board from Maryland!!

And yeah...that's about the order you will want to take care of things IMO...although if the engine needs rebuilt, I think I'd tackle that before the body work. Unless she's running and driving and you're just wanting to spice her up a bit.

Congrats on the new toy

[shaneschevys]

Welcome from FT Worth!

[DREAMS OF A 67]

FROM KNOXVILLE TN!!!

[Jerry Jones]

Welcome from Northern California!

[jsbgump]

Welcome to the board from a fellow texan

[Cyclone44]

Welcome from Knoxville Tn......

[68,69 K20]

Welcome from NY!

[Ron 586]

Welcome to the board from Big Sandy, West Tennessee.