[Spartan]

I just wanted to chime in and say your truck is definately not a pile.
These trucks have no provision for corrosion control. They really weren't intended to be beat to death and last for 45 years.
Your truck is really nice and if it runs find your leak and stop the leak.
Drive it until you have time, money and a good plan of action.

I look at it this way. I will drive a rust bucket as long as the brakes and drivetrain are safe. If it goes and stops everything else can be dealt with. True the roof rust kills many of these trucks but in a way it's one of the challenges of any hobby to make better the shortfalls.

Check out velocity channel. Guys and gals are bringing vehicle back from the dead daily. Granted we don't all have the wallet or skills or sponsers or maybe any of those things but the love you develop for your ride will get you pretty far. I've seen guys work in their parking space at their apartment building in freezing weather because that's all they had.

So yeah...that's my opinion. I used to work in the dirt under a fir tree. Finally I saved enough to build a modest shop. Now things are cozy. Enjoy the truck. Enjoy the journey the truck takes you on. If its too much at this time in your life maybe it won't be later?