[McDeezl]

A short update .... slowly making progress getting the bed wood installed. Had a few things to get tied up underneath before closing it in. The cable winch mod for the spare tire works like a charm. Insulated the exhaust pipes with glass wrap insulation instead of mounting deflector plates under the bed wood. With about 1" clearance between the planks and the pipes with insulation pretty sure it will be fine.

The bed wood install is time consuming because I'm doing it mounted on the frame instead of separate and lifting entire box onto frame when complete. Lots of up and down on and off the creeper! Thought of pros and cons both ways and decided on this way mainly to have less risk of scratches and dings flipping the box around. Finish is an oil based stain that still looks good and easy to reapply in about 2-3 beers on a sunny afternoon every 2nd year or so depending on UV exposure. Bottom side of planks is done with POR15 as per what Mar-K suggests from their study. If all goes well hope to have the bed wood buttoned up this weekend. That may take a box of beers.