[unbrokenchain]

Basically going to rebuild the original bed, using pine instead of oak though for availability and because I plan to use the bed, well, about every time I use the truck! Would like to maybe do some expanded steel over the cab window, hate the way it looks but would prevent window breakage when using the truck as dumpster. Also would like to add a tailgate. I could have used the bed for another season or two, but considering I need to service the rear end and reconnect the parking brake cables, everything is much easier to access now. Going to clean up the frame and put a few coats of rustoleum on it, maybe silicone or roof tar between the wood and steel, then water seal the wood.

I love the way the longhorn beds look, but I feel like I'm going to beat up on the bed a bit and would rather not dent a nice bed all up. Plus there's a few more square feet with the 7x9 bed above the wheels.