thanks for the feedback guys. It sounds like I may be better off to stick with the original plans. I'll look it over in the next weekend or so.

Nice project you've got there halfpint33. Mine is the long bed step side as well. my dad bought it second hand the week I was born & it lived through my brothers, me & several others learnin to drive and being our high school vehicle. That is one tough truck. It finally died several years back when my nephew ran the rear end out of juice. It sat for quite a few years out in a field after that. I put a rear end in it & moved the wifes minivan out of the garage to give it a home. I've got a long way to go to get it back on the road.

Thanks again & good luck with your projects!