I've thought about the tailgate also, buy I guess it will be easier and cheaper to buy a tailgate for that year (I assume it will be shorter due to the less deep well of the bed)and install it so it is flush with the floor. Following logics, I guess that is what the old bed shuold've been built. Do you think it would be a good idea to buy the running boards and apron to find the correct side panel height, and fix everything around it? Maybe it will mean also to cut the tailgate if it doesn't fit.
