Homemade vinyl bed cover idea

[firedog]

So been throwing the idea around for awhile about building a bedcover. I have searched on the board and seen some nice fiberglass ones homemade and aluminum but I was thinking for the price I could take a vinyl one from another truck and " repurpose" it for my 68 swb fleet. So I have kept my eyes open when at swapsmeets and craigslist. Then today there it was, a used cover but missing the side rail pieces. Only $25! That was a price I could work with. It came off a 2003 chevy with 8' bed and the reason the side rails were missing is because he always took the cover off durring the week and only used it when goin out of town and he left the rails on the truck when he traded it in.

So on to my idea, I like the slim line idea and my stake pockets are shaved so an inside the bed rails and flush style cover is the look. I have the tailgate frame and all 3 of the cross supports. So thinking I could make a 2x2 frame to fit inside the bed and essentially wrap the vinyl cover around that frame. I have a piano hinge for the front and would make a couple L- shaped brackets attached to the bed sides, and if the cross supports are not too long attach then into the frame also. Then a couple gas struts to lift with ease.

So I realize it will not be weather tight, that is not a worry for me. I also know the rear of the bed where the stake pockets are will probably be challenging with the shape there. Is there any other obsticals that anyone can think of?

I will take some pics when I get going on it, however the garage at dads is full of project "oddball" at the moment. So not sure how soon it will be but please I need some input!
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