taking a welding class and getting a mig welder(or a friend with one) is a good idea when playing with cars that need fabrication work.
I started years ago with a stick welder but getting my mig was the best investment I ever did.

I suggest doing a PU for your first rod they are pretty easy to find and you can move beds and fenders around a little to fit your needs, but it still requires making motor mounts or putting in a different frontend and rearend(so back to the welder again). Ron...