Updates:
Thought I had a faulty cargo light. Tried 3 different, additional lights -- none worked. Took it to my radio shop for some unrelated work and discovered I was pushing the wrong button... Stupid, I know, but 1) if it saves someone else from that shame or 2) makes someone laugh who is having a hard time with their truck, I win.
The current 3rd brake light + Cargo light is now chrome instead of smoked... Looks like crap, so I am working up the courage to buy another.
The unrelated work at the radio shop was for them to replace the temporary radio they had installed with the one I paid for (this was planned, my shop is NOT shady). They also installed parking sensors front and rear, and a backup camera. I wanted a 360 degree / bird's eye view system, but that would have been $3800 installed. That kind of money is going into the diesel swap.
I lost both low beams. In testing, I got them to work intermittently. As the radio shop does LED conversions, I went ahead and had them check it (thinking they had access to LED bulbs to test if they wanted to). Turned out both my LEDs were bad.
NOTES: I tested fuses, relays, and (I thought) bulbs. The bulbs worked when the headlight was disassembled, but would not work when it was put back together. The lights from the stereo shop were $75 for the pair, installed, and they guarantee there work. So if their diagnosis was bad, they would make it right. No problems since the swap.
Additional:
My friend has his shop in MN; he powder coated my jack bracket for me. I'll try to get a picture on here sooner rather than later (and I still owe one for my door courtesy lights)
I also had the opportunity -- the first time since I have owned the truck! -- to thoroughly vacuum it. It wasn't near as clean as I would have preferred, but it made it look so much nicer and I felt better. Go figure.
I now need to fix the rear passenger door so it responds to the auto lock/unlock; I believe it to be an actuator issue, but I'm going to look before I just buy something.
I need to fix the front passenger door because the sensor in it only registers when I open the door; the interior lights time out in like 15 seconds or so.
I also need to troubleshoot why my windows move so slowly, in addition to the lights flickering (i.e. is it a ground issue, do I need to replace the motors, or can I get by with a thorough cleaning)
I need to investigate further as to why the front passenger door lock slider won't stay in. I'm either going to have to do a repair to the door panel or replace it. Fortunately I already have a spare door panel.
I've been watching FB Marketplace for used tires and/or rims. I don't want to put new tires on it until the suspension is repaired/updated. I'm aiming for $500 or less for the whole "package" -- please wish me luck!
I have a rocker panel that is rusted through. It's on the driver's side -- the passenger side is fine (I had a body shop look). The problem is -- none of the reputable body shops of which I am aware will do a rust repair. So I shopping for a body shop.
Finally, as soon as I get him the plastic for it, I am going to raise the rear seats by 2 inches or less, to give more underseat storage. The shims will go at the originally mounting points, in such a way as to not affect the integrity of the seat attachments in the event of an accident.