What to include in a pre-purchase inspection for a high-mileage pickup?

[JohnJR]

I'm looking at a used pickup truck from a private seller that seems perfect for my needs, but I'm hesitant to proceed without a thorough pre-purchase inspection. The seller is agreeable, but I'm not sure what that process should entail beyond a basic mechanic's check—should I be looking for a specialist for this specific make, or is a general inspection at a trusted shop sufficient? For those who have gone through this, what are the key items you insisted the mechanic examine, especially for a higher-mileage vehicle, and how did you handle the logistics of getting the seller's vehicle to a shop? Did you negotiate any repair costs into the final price based on the inspection findings?