nce looking truck. looks to be a solid start for a project. long bed stepsides are gettingreally hard to find.
Front brakes, tear them apart. clean out all the grease and dirt. then look for the leaks. You should be able to take the front drums to a local autoparts store and find out if it is turnable.
As for the trans. I have the tree speed behind my stout 350 and drive it all the time. It cruises on the highway well just depends on the rear diff you have.
I like you color also.. Here is mine. 68 long bed step side in the same color.