i will start by saying i have no body work experince my truck has alot of rough edges the body if fairly straight (no wavy or major dents) i would like to start body work on it i need to know were to start or what needs attention first just ya'lls $0.02 if you would

here are some good side shots
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2450000-2450999/2450285_36_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2450000-2450999/2450285_33_full.jpg

Depends on "what" your after.
Fix the dings and repaint or strip it and do a full on.
Driver side door needs aligning along with the bed/cab. Thats obvious from the first pic. Pass side "looks" fairly straight.
Bed's beat to crap and you got more work there than you think.
Tailgate looks really rough.
Simple patch & paint,
Strip off the easy stuff,clean with a solvent grease & wax remover,mask off whats left,180 sand to knock the crust/rust off,2 coats of epoxy,fill your dings,rough block with 180,another coat of epoxy,400-600 block wet and paint. This can be expanded further for a better finish but this will give you a deicent paint job and not break ya.
Same color?

i would like a truck that people look at at say nice job but not a show winning down to the number resto (this is still a daily driver) i will replace tail gate do i need patch panels or just mud should i try to get dings out 1st or just mud and should i start to sand then primer the areas i do? i wanna keep same colors

Cancer needs replacing. If you can,metal work most of the dings or if their not "that" bad,use some finish putty for them. The epoxy will give you a good sealer over the old paint as well as a good base for the mud along with corrosion protection.
Simple fact is,The more blocking & primer work you do,the better the end result. Sanding is the hardest part and most get tired of it real quick and it shows in the finished project. Main difference in a 20 footer and a WOW.

should i start with the metal work and sand down entire truck to a raw metal prime then move to dents? or fix rust do dents sand prime sand mud sand? i don't understand what steps to take sorry

I'd probably do the (fix rust do dents sand prime sand mud sand) route, but I know NOTHING about bodywork either. It just seems like the good choice. :D