Kevin , thanks for the input. By the time I'd finished writing the post I'd convinced myself to do the same but wanted to get some advice. I noticed that the bolts on the bed front panel were the ocean green paint color under that red paint some previous owner had painted. I also noticed ocean green paint all along the bottom of the front cross sill which tells me that the bed was assembled when painted at the factory. There was even green paint under the bed to frame bolt large washers and remnants of the green paint on some of the bed boards. When I got the truck there was a sheet of steel welded in the bed on top of the bed boards. This is almost too much fun. Anyway, you have fun up there in Alaska!

Ron - - Dusty53
1954 Chevy 3604
In the Gallery Forum
"You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell."
"They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."