Take a look at this.
http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/1...amp;_suid=141878281006808704103162437233 Scroll through the pic's and you can see progresion from plywood mockup to in primer ready for paint. It is a 1 ton so your bedsides are shorter. I did make mine a couple inches taller also and did a tailgate similar to what you are thinking. I ended up getting new fenders even though I had a pair that were probably better than what you describe. Mine are Dynacorn reproductions that I am very pleased with. Everything else you have will be new so might as well have everything from the cab back new. (My opinion)
