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Minnesota. Home of the rust belt. I have Fluid Filmed the doors and some other areas. Worked on some rust this summer. Going to have to look up the core support.That should be a good truck for what you want to do... just as it sits. You already know they aren't fuel misers... the closer to stock you leave it the better for economy.
Not sure where in the USA but rust belt vehicles are prone to some rust issues in certain areas. The core support... door bottoms and the underside of the bed.
Another thing worth mentioning... well two things... timing chain tensioner maintenance at 75K and plastic thermostat housings like to leak.