I am fortunate that my wife is a "car girl" Her 80 is our wheeling rig as well currently. She likes to go wheeling and camping and has no problems budgeting $ for parts. Maybe we can get her to "council" some of the other wives and GFs.
I'd:
buy the cleanest, straightest truck I could barley afford
drive it a while and get a feel for it as it is stock
pull the running boards and flares
add sliders and wheel it in stock trim
install DD full screen head unit with all the bells and whistles, speakers to match
DRIVE OTHER 80s...