At times I wish I lived in Texas where the vehicles are rust free even with 200k on them

Don't kid yourself. Unless it comes from out towards El Paso, it's gonna have some kind of rot issues. I live SE of Houston, around here stuff rots from the top down. Ever see the outer skin of a roof blow off at speed? I have.

Take a look at auto tempest. By the time you jack around with trying to fix the one you bought, you may come out ahead even if you have to buy another rig. Maybe you can use this one for parts to fix a different one so it won't be a total loss.

linkys >>> '88 in GA '90 in KY '87 in VA '89 in NC