if i've learned anything, it's how to weld.  learn how to weld good and you won't have to pay other people to do stuff for ya

try and keep your center of gravity low, i wouldn't go over 5" on lift springs no matter how big of tires i wanted to fit. i have a '79 like yours(well, mine's a longbed) and 33s should fit well with maybe an inch or two of suspension lift, or you can just chop at the fenders with a sawzall.  the general consensus is that you'll want to get 4.88 axle gears installed if you run 33s and 5.29 gears if you go up to 35s.  that's about the single most expensive part of the build.  there's also the option of installing dual transfer cases, or regearing your current one, or both.  the price is about the same but with duals you get a better driveline angle in the front and more gear options(hi range, regular low range, double low range).  spring-wise, mixing and matching junkyard leaves is a pretty good way to do it, and dirt cheap.