$3k is a bit for a long bed needing a bit of stuff still...

For $3k you can buy a late model Suburban or pickup (in a Chevy) that you can pretty much jump into a tow or use and not worry about. Will need to be smogged but they go through pretty much with no probs anyways.

I have bought and chopped up a ton of big block late model Sub's even...all been pretty nice things and paid less then $1500 for all of them. Even bought a ton of dually's too and paid less than $3k for them, usually closer to $2k and that is with alcoa's (etc) on them. Suburbans are cheaper for the what you get for the money and how clean they are... but hard to beat them or Chevy trucks for bang for the buck around here IMO.

(assuming you just want something to use that is and not necessarily another project) and if you did want a project I think a short bed early truck would be the way to go..at least for chance of getting your money back out of it in the long run, or something unique like a crew cab,etc)