I'm planning on buying a Surly Cross Check frame due to my current lack of money to front over $1000+ for the full bike.

I have an old huffy strider. It has a 5spd freewheel and friction shifters.

I want to work to upgrade my old bike so eventually my parts would be able be put on the Surly frame. What is the best order to do upgrades?

I only chose the cross check because I heard it was probably the best bang for my buck.