Coming from a guy that has done a body off the frame restoration...
From what I have read so far in what you have posted, it doesn't sound like you have the resources to do it. So with that I would just clean up what you have in the best way you can, since doing a body off resto takes up a lot of what you stated above as limited resource.
To repeat what I tell everyone that ask's the same questions you have, when it comes to an enthusiastic aproach to fixin up their new truck.
If you don't have these three main things, then don't even attemt to go body off. Otherwise you run the risk of losing interest and money, then giving up on it which can be really heart wrenching.
1. Money
2. Time
3. Lots of storage space
Simple as that.
Even if you have talent, you need time and money.
If you have the money you need the time and space.
If you have no talent, then you will need tons of all three of above.
Above does not even take into account if you got a girl friend or a wife, because they will bug the crap out of you for all of your investments of time, space, and money.
Just my experienced .02 on this...
