Howdy, Herb N. Nice to see you join in. My toy is a '59, big back window, stepside; I've owned it since 1971, rebuilt parts of it several times, and let it sit for the last ten years. Plans are afoot, though.
$$$ is the primary consideration for most of us, I'm sure. I've been "researching" for a long time, an have found that there are three approaches to resto-rodding these things, and most of it deals with the front ends.
One way is to retain the basic "freight wagon" suspension, and improve it; you can do this in increments, and usually keep the truck on the road between segments. Each major part of updating a solid axle seems to cost about the same - between three and four hundred bucks; disc brakes = appr. 4oo, power steering conversion = appr. 400, power brakes, lowering, dropped axle = 400 each, dropped springs = 2 to 400. Get it all finished, just for the basic stuff, you're in for 16 to 20 Benjamins; but it is usually in smaller pieces, and easier to handle.
Doing a Camaro/Firebird, or any other clip, may set you back 200 to 1000 for the clip, then several hundred to rebuild and/or improve/update it, then the work involved in cutting and welding, adapting, etc. - when all is said and done, you are out some 16 to 20 Bens, again.
Same thing for a crossmember conversion - 15 to as much as 30, depending on how elaborate you want to get; and with these last two, you are out of commission for the duration of the project.
It all depends on your wants, needs, abilities, and pocket depth. (Doesen't everything??
) Stick around; there are a lot of good projects going on here, and many very talented builders, with a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience.