I'm doing a ground up body off resto/ overhaul of a (possibly) less desirable project for many, an 83 D250. I have about a grand just in sandblasting the body and frame, including epoxy primed frame plus $300 just in 2 stage Sherwin Williams industrial epoxy poly paint on the frame (I actually sprayed the frame myself, a bigger spray gun paint job in itself than Ive done in years) that without the help of someone I know that works at the local Sherwin Williams plant and their employee price would have been over $500 for the gallon of paint and quart of activation/ hardener just for my frame paint
and the body in pieces is at a paint shop of which I'm told may wind up at $10 grand with me doing the reassembly... and I haven't even gotten into a motor yet....