Hello. Im new to the forum and am looking forward to learning alot. Heres a little about my truck and I.

My father found a 1980 gmc jimmy in a friends barn and made a deal to take it off his hands. It had no engine or front body. My father and I pieced it together. He put a small block 350 with some extras. Steel crank, aluminum pistons,headers, aluminum intake plus a bunch of other stuff I shouldve paid attention to. I drove it back and forth from AZ to NH more times than I can count.
It was given to my brother from him and my brother put a 205 transfer case and a cast iron 3 speed. He had plans to wheel it. Than my brother gave it to me. I was stupid and let it sit for a couple of years and now Im looking at $7000 of body work. Major areas are a new quarter panel and rotted hole where the passenger side mount was. The body mounts and frame have some surface rust but are in great condition. My father passed a couple of years ago and I want to keep it. It runs sound but It needs a bunch of small work. It has centimental value to me. I really need some guidance.