Wow! Thanks for all of the input! It seems like I have wrestled with all of the suggestions you are bringing and they all have good points.
Long story short- I was given my grandfathers 79 High Sierra long bed, 2wd, 6 cyl, auto, bone stock truck. The truck has been sitting over 10 years and needs some major attention, like another engine (original uses oil like crazy) and trans rebuild ( slipping when parked).
My ambition is to get the truck to a "useable" condition so it's not just going down hill sitting. Seems like everyone wants to borrow a truck and this one would make a better "loaner" than my z71 LOL.
My long term plan is to swap in a 350 and make it appear factory. This truck is NC state inspection exempt due to its age so no one will be poking around under the hood.
In the short term, a good running $250 6 cyl Craigslist special seems attractive and I am in the middle of restoring my 72 k5 so money and time is tight.
Sorry for the long post, I felt your replies deserved a little more background info
From what I am hearing the 69 model 250 should be a simple, quick and cheap way to get things moving again.
Are there any particular things I should keep in mind when I go take a look at the used 250?