Brian, I'm not embarassed that I spent less than $10 for this bed, it's just that I don't know how to post a picture. The wood is pine and I obtained it from discarded 2x's (6's, 8's), tried to find the clearest, straitest, nail holes didn't matter. I ripped the boards in half widthwise to get the 1" nominal, 3/4" actual size to fit the bed. I ripped the boards to their proper widths (I have a nine board '49) and made provision for the bed strips to lay slightly above the surface of the wood. I used Kilz on the bottom of the boards as a primer, then white house paint. I wanted it as bright as possible while working under there in the future, yet good protection. The top and ends I used polyurethane, I believe it was a quart, just applied maybe three coats and then used the remainder of the can contents on a couple center boards. I used the original bed strips and excentric washers, the $10 was spent on matching up the bolts, nuts, and washers with galvinized ones I obtained from a great fastener place we have here in town. My reasoning is this... my original Pine bed lasted almost 50 years with little care, this solution will easily last that long with reasonable care. By the way, I use my truck as a truck, haul firewood, and an occasional engine. If I have an engine to haul, or gravel, I throw a 4x8 sheet in the back to be conscientious, but that's all. Dig yourself man, it's just you and the mirror.
Cosmo
