[WadmalawJoe]

Thanks everyone!
Here is some other info;
I have used 4 cut off wheels (4 &1/2 inch size)
Cutting that diamond plate off used them up the most, one wheel maybe enough to cut the bolts loose, I would have a back up just in case.
I read somewhere on this site that someone cut the carriage bolt heads off then pulled the strips off. I'm not sure how they did that because the design of the strips keeps the heads somewhat recessed. My boards were rotten enough to pull one out then slip the cut off wheel between the strip and the cross sills, basically cutting the bolt in half.
The ends are somewhat difficult, the cab end wasn't to bad, the wheel would cut through the first and second bolt at the same time, because they are only 3 +/- inches apart. Then I would work towards the tailgate end. When I got there I would be able to lift the strip up (the cab end would be up a foot in the air or so) then it would be easier to cut that last bolt.
The perimeter bolts were the easiest for me except the 4 corners, well 8 corners counting the wheel well corners. Trying to get the wheel in the corner without damaging the sheetmetal proved a little tough. Be careful in the back corners the taillight wires are there!! (mine survived)
The 8 hold down bolts that pass through the wood and down into the frame. I am going to bolt the cross sills down instead and then notch the back of the boards to clear over the carriage bolt head. I will use a fortsner bit to create the notch or recess in the back of the board.
The wood that I will use I will get from a local lumberyard. I am a carpenter/woodworking dude as well, so I can save a little money that way. I want to use ipe', but I'm not sure if I can swing it, may have to go with oak. Ipe' is that dark hardwood that people with money use for the decks and porches. The stuff is wicked hard and durable, but expensive. I have few pieces of it, none are 8 feet long, I have enough to do the pieces in front of and behind the wheel well. Speaking of 8 feet, the bed is 97 inches, one inch longer than 8 feet! I'm hoping I can find "long" 8 ft boards so that I don't have to buy 10 ft and cut them down. A lot of times lumber is a little long so that you can trim the ends off yourself and it allows for expansion and contraction.
After the bed is done and a little bodywork I hope to get the truck painted. I'm going with the hugger orange color for paint. I can't wait!!!!