New from Oregon

Hi from Oregon! My name is Don and I turned 60 last month. I own a few post 65 projects so I'll not bore you with those. I'm a forum member on several sites related to those projects and don't post there much so I shouldn't bother the members here much. I've owned a few older pickups and a car or 2. Anyway, I was looking around on craigslist and saw some old pickups. Did a search for finished trucks and turned up rat rods. Not really my thing. Not sure why anyone would want the frame rails a couple of inches, or less from the ground. But it did get me to thinking I could build a budget truck. Maybe keep the patina or do flat black with red accents. I like the H.A.M.B. theme of keeping it pre-65. Wish I would have snagged an old truck hemi when they were cheap. Or what's the name for the old Chevy 409 style engines? But more likely it will be an old Olds engine. So for now I'm just looking for a project, or just parts. I'm sure I'll have some questions when it comes to the front ends. Not sure how to lower a straight axle. Regards, Don