This past Saturday we welded the stake pockets to the custom bed sides and then welded the bed together. The front panel and bed sides were fabricated by my friend, the stake pockets and sills are from Mar-K.
The pipe ordered for the top outside edges of the bed sides did not arrive, so that will be the starting place for the next work on the bed. We are going to close up the triangle openings where the '53 stake pocket angles don't match the ninety degree bend of the custom bed sides.
The pipe will be in the same place, relative to the stake pockets, as it would be on an original '53 bed, the only real differences at this point from stock is the flat tops and everything is welded together instead of bolted. The big departure from a stock '53 bed will be the tail lights and tail gate, which are currently just drawings.
I added some photos to my gallery, link below.
Tim
