This body style of truck was made from 73 though 87, if you can, I'd try and find an 87 1/2 ton 4x4.
The 87 trucks have better automatic overdrive transmissions, and fuel injected engines, which are a big improvement over the older carbs.
Lifting these trucks is the same from 73-87, so no worries about buying one that is easier to lift than another.
Buy something that is nice inside and out, in good mechanical condition, then change things from there
