Continuing the conversation about the deceased former owner (from the CA point of view), as long as the dead owner signed the title releasing his interest, you should be able to go to the DMV with a "statement of facts" (an actual form you can get from the DMV) and simply have the truck titled in your name or signed over, if the owner in between had signed as new owner at some point. It sounds complicated, but is pretty straight forward. Most DMVs are just a cash box for the state, and need to have all the paperwork lined up correctly. They do not spend any time considering your intent. As long as the paper trail conforms to their policies, they are happy.
But that does not solve your problem if you want an extended cab truck to drive. If that is the case, work with the salvaged (or no?) title truck. Most DMVs have a process that is simple but sometimes time consuming to follow. I bought a truck from a third party with a lost title and deceased owner AND an uncleared lien from a bank that had been out of business for several years. The truck was in CA, Lien bank was in VA. With a little help from the deceased owner's daughter, the whole process to get title in my name only took 3 months. I sent the daughter and mother a $100 bill thanking them for their help.
You have a few decisions to make, but plenty of equipment to consider. Good luck!