Rear Trailing Arms

['68 C-20]

I am going to start my first large repair on the 68 C20 soon. Thanks to this board I have located the new trailing arms and am planning to replace them myself. I am in pretty good shape for tools. Have 3/4 drive socket sets, die grinder with cutting wheels, various nut busters, heat etc., so I don't think any hardware will be an issue.

I am planning on pulling the bed to do the job. I think it will be easier to expose the entire rear frame to do the job. That will give me a chance to inspect everything, clean off any rust and re-paint the frame (Rustoleum), rear-end, springs etc. I don't have a sand blaster; I should be able to clean it up with flap wheels and 3M De-burring wheels. It still has some factory paint on the frame.

I will replace the shocks, exhaust hangers and most likely the spring cups depending on what they look like.

I am planning on leaving the wood floor in the bed when I remove it, it should stay in place OK. It is in good shape. I plan on taking the wood out and running it through a planer next year to clean it up. It has been painted every few years for the last 40 years. Has so much paint on the wood you cannot see the grain!

Before I start, any advice, cautions, or watch out for's?