Restoration Cost?

[Saget]

I realize the magnitude of my request, but I have less time than money, and I’m hoping to get a ballpark estimate quickly of where I need to be in the future.

Bottom Line (BL): I’d like a rough estimate on how much a full restoration (like new, with a few customizations) of a 1973-1991-ish ¾ or 1 ton crew cab Chevy (preferably single rear wheel or mod to single from dually). I’m good with an estimate spreading $5K (example: $10-15K, $15-20K or whatever you think is appropriate)

I’m no spring chicken, so I understand some assumptions can have a wide span of cost like condition of initial/donor vehicles, used parts vs new parts, initial body condition, final paint detail and labor required.

Let’s assume I can find a decent inital vehicle (some light-ish labor for rust removal, yet no major body panel reconstruction required). I broke the following down of how I’d use it, attributes are more/less requirements, and desires are good to have but not deal breakers.

Uses:
• Daily Driver – (Quality restoration, picking this over a new truck from a dealer)
• Commuting ~40 miles total everyday for work.
• Carrying family and pets from Florida to Texas on vacation (interstate driving) multiple times a year.
• Pulling light trailer occasionally (no 5th wheels or heavy machinery)
• 80% highway, 20% offroad—no planned mudding or rock crawling

Attributes:
• Diesel Engine – Generally thinking 6bt, but suggestions are always welcome
• Cold Air conditioning: Don’t have it in my single cab K10, but family needs it
• I’d prefer K20 or K30 style, but using a C20 or C30 that I can convert late is acceptable (if substantially cheaper/quicker upfront)
• Prefer 33”-35” tires
o Willing to have narrower road-applicable tires vs all terrains or mud tires (if I need to hit the trails, I’ll consider purchasing some more aggressive tires)
• Suspension lift to appear “aggressive” but not excessive (4” maybe?)
o I’d like the ride to be smooth, yet not worry when hauling a trailer
o I’m willing to accept not going cutrate on this
o My K10 rides rough, which isn’t bad since I’m generally the only occupant, but if suspension packages exist that can smooth the ride (I’ve heard air bags can do this?) then I’d be willing to entertain a higher cost for this comfort/capability
• Able to cruise 75mph (my K10 with 250 Inline 6 cannot ☹)
• 20mpg or better (no trailer)—is this possible in the city or highway?!


Desires
• Cabin noise: I’d like it to be less than “loud” (not quite objective, I know). I’m fully aware of older diesel engine noise, but current K10’s engine noise is just that--noise. It’s not exhaust tones, but a mix of engine noise and road noise. I’d prefer sound dampened cabin and possibly sound dampened engine bay. I know I will have a diesel under the hood, I don’t need to advertise to those ½ mile away.
• Nice bumpers front/rear – prefer a pipe style setup that can hold a winch (winch not required in estimate)
• Paint: This is potentially a large cost. I want a durable coat, yet appearances I care nothing about. I’d like there to be 0% rust, but I’m here to impress no one. I’d prefer a clean body with a quality primer and matte paint. High quality, not high vis. The less attention my truck catches from folks outside this forum, the better—I enjoy parking my current truck wherever and not worrying about the shopping carts in parking lots!
• LED lights inside/out
• Updated interior. Prefer the seats in newer trucks (buckets in front/back, or the split bench with head rests on each side, with a middle seat belt)
• 2x fuel tanks or 1x large fuel tank (yes I’ve ran out of gas…personal fail(s))
• Dark window tint
• Sound system – this is a broad subject, but I don’t have a radio now, so either an average deck with 4x quality speakers and a small sub or accomodations where I can install later. I’d be happy with a hidden system, no deck visible.
• Headache rack with places to mount lights/antennas
- Transmission type is whatever is favorable for my type of uses. Currently love my manual, but wish i could have an OD. Wife will not drive a STD even though she knows how, but if there is a good quality auto for mileage and light towing, i'm not completely opposed to that.