It all depends on how you plan to use the truck. If you will be using it for what it was designed to do then putting some steel plate in the bed would be durable. If you want a show truck then going with a polished oak or other wood is good. I plan to use the original yellow pine and regular steel strips. Should not be anywhere near $1,000s. An entire bed wood kit from most vendors is around $250 to $300 (Chevy Duty).
I would stay away from marine carpet. As for rust, it never sleeps.
