Making that new ride reliable

[dccarpenter]

In my ongoing compulsive car acquisition spree I'm thinking of adding another truck to my barely functional current 3. I've endured much scorn from my girlfriend, friends, relatives, and others regarding my vehicles and their roadworthiness or lack thereof.

Let's say the cost of parts was not a question(and an engine swap was prohibitive due to time, location, etc..) what would you do to make a new 'old' truck to the family as reliable as possible?

My goal is essentially to make the new truck as reliable as possibly can be, granted things occasionally break on their own but the goal being to minimize the chances of problems. The cost in missed days of work and storage/tows on these things is what kills me more than buying the parts..the parts tend to be quite cheap.

I'm thinking if I perform all of the following tasks then with a stout enough engine I should be good to go, granted I may be tossing some good parts out unnecessarily I figure the peace of mind factor may make up for it. Any additional items to add? My goal is to get 2 years of 10K mile/year use without anything but fluid change type maintenance, that should keep my girlfriend off my back about the old trucks, so I can then buy more and frustrate her again.

Replace
* Oil and filter
* Spark plugs and wires
* Distributor changed to HEI
* Ignition Coil
* Rear end fluid
* Alternator/Starter
* Tires
* Brake shoes, wheel cylinders, drums turned
* Master cylinder
* Shocks
* Leaf springs re-arched
* Belts/Hoses
* Radiator flush/fill
* PCV valve, fuel filter
* Body mounts, motor mounts, transmission mount