Bed Floor Progress

[passthebuck]

hey all. Attached are my progress photos to date. the first pic is the mess that i found when i sliced the sides off of the cross pieces so that i could get the spot weld cutter in there. & as you can see, this is why the all rust out! look at that ball of rust/dust & ice in there all combing to do their evil deed.
the second pic is a good example of what I am finding most of the time - solid bed floor.
the third is what i'm finding the rest of the time... looks like i got some patching to do...
4th, look at the pile of metal i now am ammasing!

lastly, heres my plan. new tubular supports! stronger, less likely to collect crap, & cooler. I'm gonna cap the ends & weld a tube through where the bolts go through.

I'll post more as I go further. what ya think? suggestions? (yes, I know it would have been easier to start with a good steel floor, but i couldnt find one & this will be a workin truck so steel over wood wins)