If you are like a lot of us, you want a "special" ride - 
one that is unique! But like a lot of us, you dont have the 
mega-bucks to purchase that hot custom-made ride of your 
dreams! Want a way to spend less money, but still have a 
ride that will turn heads? Rebuild an older pickup!
 
Here are some things to consider for this special ride:

1. Find a 10-20 year old pick up of any flavor, but I would 
   prefer a domestic pickup with 2 or 4 wheel drive. Pickups 
   in this age range are easy to find. Buy one using the same 
   guidelines that you would use if you were buying it to use 
   in its current condition.

2. Check to see if all the orginal equiment is there? Many times 
   on older vehicles you will find things like the air 
   conditioner compressor gone or the sound system missing or 
   modified. If all the parts are there, even if they are not 
   in working condition it can save you lots of time when you 
   start rebuilding.
 
3. Look for frame damage (the same holds for for anytime you buy 
   a used vehicle) and look to see if any "accessories" have 
   been welded to the frame (winch mounting brackets, for 
   example)  Sucjh modifications can cause problems when trying 
   to remount new body parts.
 
4. Consider how the truck may be used. Do you plan to haul heavy 
   loads, pull a trailer, or carry passengers? Failing to 
   consider these questions before you buy can make you custom 
   project last a lot longer and answering them incorrectly can 
   cost you the expense of trading early or buying another 
   vehicle to take care of chores.
 
5. After you purchase your basic truck, it's easy enough to find 
   OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement body parts 
   which are relatively inexpensive. With most trucks, a "body 
   off" (taking the body off the frame) 
   restoration/rebuild/customization isn't that  
   difficult or expensive if you have a workshop and plan on 
   using the  basic body package. 

6. The paint job can be the signature of your "custom" truck. If 
   you are not sure of the color combination, you can drive it 
   with only primer for a while. This allows you to get out any 
   "bugs" and take your time on choosing color and wheel/tire 
   packages.
 
7. If your truck has a good drive train in it, you may just want 
   to "dress up" the engine compartment. This too can be done 
   without a lot of expense. Add chrome valve covers, an air 
   cleaner cover, paint the rest of the engine and engine 
   compartment and clear coat everythin! 
 
8. If you need/want to do the engine and transmission and dont 
   have the megabucks for a lot of speed equipment, just put a 
   stock rebuild kit in the transmission. This should make it 
   a solid part of  your truck for the long haul without a lot 
   of expensive perfomance parts. If the engine needs work,  
   an inexpensive route may be a rebuild kit. The rebuild kits 
   are available from several good vendors and price varies 
   with the engine.But they are relatively inexpensive when 
   compared to performance parts and will provide good service. 

9. When you do the engine you can "spice" it up a bit with a 
   cam kit for about the same money as replacing the cam with 
   an OEM cam. Using a custom cam can provide much better 
   performance for your truck if you match your cam to the 
   tasks you want your truck to do.
 
There are several aftermarket vendors that offer good 
accessories that really dress a truck at reasonable prices so 
do some shopping when you get to that point in your project. 
 
The finished product will be a truck that fits your personality 
and flash. And  you have the pride and confidence that it will 
do what you want it to do!