Learn to weld for frame repairs?

[Armordave]

There's no way that the time and expense of a class will be more cost effective than a new galvanized chassis shipped to your door. Besides, even if you do become a certified welder and make the repairs you still have a 40-whatever year old chassis that likely has lots of other issues. Take the advice of the hive mind and do the chassis swap. It is a rite of passage for every Series owner.
The good thing, if you want to look at it this way, is that the change over will not only reveal other problems, it will give you the experience and satisfaction of overcoming those challenges.
Owning these things is not easy. Even after the chassis swap, the truck will never ever be "done". Your future holds countless hours and thousands upon thousands of dollars dumped into this truck. Relationships will come and go. Your career will change. You'll move half a dozen times. You'll have kids. They will grow up and move out. At the end of all that you will still have this Rover.

Well said. I started with anoriginal frame needing work but not bad at all ( could have driven it for lifetime without problems) but if i had to do it over again i would get a new galvanized frame. The difference in time and money spent is worth it to not have any "unknown" issues going forward.