Hello from a soon to be 67 GMC truck owner

[Saleenguy]

Hi all, this is my first post.

I have had GMC products in the past, but for many years have driven blue ovals only.
Currently still do have the blue ovals, but wanted an older classic truck, or at least elcamino style vehicle.
Well I think I have found my new truck at last.
Its a black 2 wheel drive 1967 GMC half ton.
It has the regular style box, not a stepside, 327 V8 motor, recently rebuilt diff ( now with 3.42 gears) and 3 in the tree shift.

The body work was done by a garage about 13 years ago, and some of the bondo used is popping out, but in general the body is not too bad, and it will be a while until I do it.
The motor was rebuilt 53,000 miles ago.
The current owner has had it 16 years, and taken okay care of it really.
But it needs work.
The front end is totally worn out, the tierods are about to fall apart, and the balljoints are not much better.
Where is a good place to buy front end parts for this gem?

But the biggest issue is the tranny.
It SOMETIMES shifts from first to second....the linkage is really sloppy.
Also the tranny is leaking a lot of gear oil, and its hard to tell where from exactly.
Anyways I would like to swap the tranny for a 4 or 5 speed floor shift if possible.
I want to keep the truck as stock as possible, but fell it needs a new tranny if i really plan to drive it.
First gear is too tall, and third is not very tall on the HWY.

I have no idea what thetranny ratios are , but a lower first, and taller fourth or fifth would be great.
And something that shifts reliably to.
If possible can I keep the old clutch?

Also I do not plan to drive it hard, or build the motor up into a screamer, or worst of all let my teenage daughter ever drive it.
So the tranny does not need to be super strong, just able to hold the modest power the little 327 makes.

Lastly while it runs great, is there any special things i need to do to keep the old points style ignition happy.
I want to make the guy and offer and hopefully drivee it away next weekend if the tranny issue is solveable.

Thanks,

Marty