Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I see your plan and I think it's pretty nice!! Are you thinking mid 70's Dodge or Chevy? Either way those trucks are very simple to work on and heavy duty at the same time.
I havent decided on the make of truck yet, but am leaning towards fargo if I can find one LOL. My current truck (01 f150) is at 233kms and like I said runs like a top, but we all know that wont last forever. Any head work on this truck will require the cab to be lifted,,,big $$. So I sell the truck....hopefully between 4-5k. Buy an old truck between $1500-2500 hopefully from the south. I will give the grand am another once over paying attn to the spots that members have mentioned. I dunno......