Priority of various repairs?

[AmberC]

I'm the new owner of a 1996 K1500 Extended cab Short bed, 5.7l v8, around 170k. I bought the truck knowing it had a few issues, and I've spent the last month beating a few more issues into it. Right now, I'd like to get to work fixing the truck, but I'm not exactly sure where to start, or if it's doing some well-known Chevy truck death dance that I'm ignorant of. Help please?

 

BODY DAMAGE: So, I bought it with a cracked windshield, and promptly broke it worse, including the metal trim that goes around the windshield. Is this still normal windshield replacement? Also has some heinous dents on the bed in the vicinity of the fuel door. (that building was coming right at me, man, nothing I could do) No fuel leaks and the frame's fine, but I've been noticing a high pitched whine when it's running that seems to be coming from the vicinity of the dents. Forgive me if this is the most ridiculous question ever, but does it have any kind of fuel pump there that could have taken a hit, like the lift pump in a 6.5 diesel?

 

POWER STEERING PUMP: I was told by the person who sold it to me that the power steering pump leaked. I've put 4 quarts of power steering fluid in it over a month or so, it mostly falls on the ground and makes noises when it's empty. One of the bottles of fluid actually said it was for quieting a noisy truck, so is a leaking power steering pump normal to have? I saw a seal kit for sale, could one just replace the seals and stop the leak? Is the leak that big of a deal? Is replacing the pump that big of a deal?

 

NO HEAT OR AC: Right away, noticed that the heat never really got warm. Air blows hard with defrost, not so much out of the dash vents. The truck leaks coolant under the front end when the heat is off, only dribbles a little when the heat is on. No worries, was planning on moving south, now I'm learning that the AC doesn't work at all. Push the button, and I get nothing, no indicator light, no sounds, nada. From what I've been reading here, the button itself could be burned out, but beyond that...heater core? Blower?

 

BRAKES: Just went out. The line is blown inside the engine compartment, rusted through. Truck is a Peoria native and has a lot of cancer. Should I replace that section of brake line or the whole thing?

 

GAUGES: Are normally beautiful when driving, but I noticed the temperature gauge kinda bounces erratically. For example, say I drive around enough to get it warmed up, park for a few, and start driving again without completely cooling off. I've noticed the needle on the temp gauge will jerk up and down within the normal ranges until the truck's warmed back up, then it's steady. Does that sound more like air in the system, or a sensor freaking out?

 

HEADLIGHTS: High beams only, previous owner fixed them with black spray paint rather than light bulbs. Are the lights abnormally hard to work on or something?

 

Sorry, I know that's a lot for a noob post, if anyone can offer me any insights I'd definitely appreciate it though.

[txab]

Just a few quick notes....

 

PS pump: Replace it

 

Heat/AC: Leaks up front need to be fixed. Most likely water pump. Find and fix. Low coolant level can and will effect heat output. Flush heater core, in fact flush entire cooling system. New thermostat.... see if your quirky temp gauge issue clears. If not replace sending unit. Air conditioning..... put gauges on it and see if you've a got a charge or not, and then go from there. Check for power at the compressor. Check low pressure cut out switch. Air flow..... probably actuators that have gone or going bad.

 

Headlights: May have a multi-function switch that is bad. Mounted on steering column, it's the turn signal lever/low, high beam/wipers. Begin by checking the fuses for the headlights.

 

Fuel pump is in tank. Noise might just be coincidence

 

Brakes: Check ALL your lines. If it rusted through in one place, you can bet it probably will in other spots. Considering replacing them when you can depending on condition