in the midst of the recession I paid the guy $11.9K AND THEN got started on building it up. ya better believe it: New fuel tanks, new drive shafts, t-case rebuilt with new output shafts, new Alcan lift springs and Marks Offroad Shackles and skid plates, new body mounts, new magna flow muffler, new electronic ignition & steering ragjoint, went from 3 speed granny to a 4 speed, etc , etc. Never went with Power steering, either. Not to mention about a 1000 hours of my own sweat under it making sure it was up to the tasks ahead. The big plus was that an aircraft mechanic in WA had been a previous owner, so a bunch of stuff was just deferred maintenance.
Unlike a lot of people who later state: "too much to list" I made a meticulous list of every trip to the hardware store for stainless or cadmium plated hardware and re-upholstering the seats like new. maybe I pissed too much into the now-bombproof drivetrain, but I never wanted to be stranded in a blizzard with a half-assed cruiser. I drove the hell out of it when we went to Death Valley and to the Sierras in Winter with 10 degree weather outside. biggest complaint is that my loved ones were very cramped on long trips, and they choked on exhaust fumes when we crawled on trails....so I jumped on the 45 when the chance presented itself. Different animal altogether
Best to you in your new hobby!
: 
