Smart to start with a functioning truck. It is easy to get overwhelmed with your project, if it cost a gazillion dollars to do anything on it. My truck project is slow but steady. More than I thought it would take, but fun, and progressing. Talking to people who have been there and done that is very smart. The hardest part for me was figuring out where to start in a logical progression that makes sense. Next was how far to go, and to what level of perfection. At some point, I figured I might as well use all new or rebuilt stuff, instead of unknown used parts and questionable reliability, once down that road, the dollars started to stack up, but in the end it hopefully will be reliable like new!
The folks here have been very helpfull as have the guys at fordtruckenthusiast.com. On this forum you usually will get quick responses to your questions, from people who have been modifying cars for a long time. At the other site you may get slower response, but more specific to you exact build ( modifying a 48 Ford truck in my case). Once you pick a project post some pics, and welcome here, Steve.