Steel Bed, Trash or fix? Your experience?

[Springbear]

1972 ¾ Ton, 4X4 Steel Bed Questions:

(Desired result ~ Restored pick-up like factory glove box decal.)

Dropped my dealer added aux. fuel tanks today. Two cross members are rusted badly and noticing that the bed is pitted through in one spot.

I will be disassembling the bed parts to clean up any rust. Cutting in all parts with paint and reassembling.

My body guy is estimating another 10 hours at $20 per hour to straighten the bed up.

Am I better to just replace the bed sheet metal with a new one?

What is your experience or observation on other trucks?

Martin