I also considered doing that, might still later down the road. 1-ton Beds are getting hard to find.
Hi Blind
I bought 2 sheets of 18 gauge sheet metal and 2 lengths of exhaust pipe....our famous leader John sent me a diagram of the sizes to make the bed, I had to buy 6 stake pockets instead of 4, I had to find a fellow with a sheet metal brake that bent up the sides...I cut and chopped and made every look kinds like it is supposed to look when it came from the factory....it seemed to me it would make the truck more marketable when it came time to sell it (IMHO).
Good luck with which ever way you end up going...I have a bunch of progress pictures on my photo bucket page. that might help you out too...
MikeC