Hi,
I have a 87 toy 4x4 regular cab with a 6' bed. I just got another bed for it since mine was rusted out. I have the bed off and I'm wonder what type of work I should do on the truck while the bed is off: I have a few ideas but I'm looking for any experience that will help. I'm really don't want to spend a bunch of money, but I'm looking for reasonable solution. I think I said most of that for my wife, I will consider anything that is unreasonable also. Here's what I'm up to:
1. Treat all rust
2. Paint everything
3. Replace shocks (what should I use, any recommendations?)
4. I have a pretty funky bumper on the back and the front, any recommendations there?
5. I've seen pics of truck with a tool box that is dropped down in the bed, can this be done on this truck? What would I do with the gas tank?
6. Remove spare tire thing (anybody want it, or is there another job it can perform?

 

use Por-15 paint on it, to protect it

 

I replaced the bed on my 85 due to it being rusted out. One thing I did was put the truck on a slope with the front end up, and ran water from a hose though the frame to flush out all the dirt and loose rust inside the frame. There was a lot of dirt inside the frame! Then I used Por 15 on the outside of the frame. There's not much you can do for the inside of the frame that I know of.