Don't succumb to the notion that you can't drive a 70 year old truck a lot without major modifications or "upgrades". I've put over 2000 miles on mine since last August. It is/was in similar condition to yours. It was parked for years and never started or driven.
I tuned up the engine, replaced/rebuilt the fuel system, and made sure the brakes were up to snuff. All the parts are readily available, relatively cheap, and most can be purchased at the local parts store or Rock Auto.
Drum brakes are perfectly fine when adjusted and working properly. New tires, wheels and shocks made a vast improvement in performance. I drive it 55-60 on the freeway without fear or handling problems.
As for your bed, don't sweat it. I painted a piece of plywood and dropped it in on top of the rotten one so I could carry stuff. Eventually all that will be done right but I want to drive the truck, not work on it.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
