Long time member back with a slow build 91 K5

I've been a member since 2001, although I have not been active for many years. When I was in college (1999), I had a 90 K5 that was 100% stock, but my pride and joy. So many great memories in that thing and it was a great looking rig with 2-tone black and grey/silver. Long story short, my girlfriend at the time borrowed it to go to indoor soccer practice, hit some slush and crashed into a tree. She was fine, but the truck was totalled with a bent frame. I bought it back from insurance and parted it out. Five years later, I missed it so much I had to find a matching one. I found one on the internet in Michigan (I lived in Mass). I had pictures sent and I bought it sight unseen (big mistake). I had that build thread on here and it turned out to be full of bondo...over 3/4" thick in some places. I ended up selling that one (regret it) and bought a 71 K5 CST that I still have and am doing a nut/bolt restoration on.

I've wanted another 90 or 91K5 ever since and finally got serious this year. I'm now in VA and the pickings are slim around here for anything that is not a rust bucket or a complete project. I have too many of those (71 K5, 48 Dodge Power Wagon, 51 Dodge Power Wagon, 67 Dodge Power Wagon, and a 48 Farmall A).

I wanted a black one with power mirrors and a gray interior. I finally found one, but in Vancouver, WA...literally probably as far away from me as possible. I spent a lot of time talking with the owner (great guy), and he shared a lot of pictures. It was a California truck and I cannot believe how good the body and undercarriage are...no rust. It has 5" of total lift (ORD shackle flip in the rear with a 1" add a leaf on stock springs, and 4" ORD springs in the front with a 1" add a leaf).

It has 315/70R17 tires, a 14 bolt semi floater in the rear, slip yoke eliminator, 4.89 gears, a brand new heavy duty 700R4, electric fans, and a Dana 44 up front. It has 270K miles!!! It runs great, but shifts hard, and the steering is abysmal. First order of business is to remove the 1" add a leafs. It's a bit high for my taste and I may reduce further, but we'll see. Steering will be next and most likely going crossover, but still researching all that.

Ultimately, I'd like to put an LQ9 in it, but that's a long term goal. I want to get it on the road and make it reliable and safe. I just got it on Wednesday so I am still diving into it. I'm going to put it on the lift tomorrow and really see what I have. I'll take more pics then.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back on here and look forward to everyone's opinion and ideas. This will be something I can cruise in, take the family camping, and trying to feel like I'm 20 again. Crazy...it even smells like my old one.