Need help making custom bed

[thachevythang]

After deciding not to bag my truck, I now have a full bed to customize! Have some questions of course. Here's what I want to accomplish. I want a full carpeted bed and tail gate, custom speaker box or boxes, and want to shave the fuel doors and add a fuel cell in the rear for my shortbed 85. (BTW I never haul or use it for storage moving etc.) For protection,

I'm either ordering the gaylord cover here: http://www.gaylordslids.com/showroom/photogallery/photo11021/Classic_Chevy1500_BluWhi.jpg

Or checkmate fx cover: the last 3 pics here: http://checkerpro.com/5.html

Really like the flush mount checkmate but which evers cheaper. I plan on a DIY to truly make what I want. Whats the best fabric to match the interior carpet kit sold in the shop? How can I make the tailgate and bed a flat service? And can somebody direct me to a good write up on a how to rear fuel cell? Maybe some home made speaker boxes as well? Plan on three subs, either two 10s and one 12, or two 12s and one 15. Not in the same box though! Anybody reccomend a high amp alternator?

Heres kinda what I want the bed to look like. Sorry for the small pic. Color undecided though:

[thachevythang]

Did some research on blazer carpet kits and they cost just as much as the california bed kits! Not going to give up though! Decided on a tan interior so I'm looking for some material to match! Here's what I've got so far.

First I have some surface rust to get rid of in the bed. Going to use por 15 or something like it for those spots and just going to roll on a cheap paint. It's all going to be covered in the end! Can anybody reccomend certain products or methods?

For the bedsides I'm going to use plywood not to exceed the bed corners or the top rail. I have to make sure I have clearance for the bed cover itself. I'll coat the wood with a sealer just to be safe. In this area I'm going to mod the cargo lamp switch to turn on bed lights for both sides. I got rid of the cargo lamp but kept the wiring just in case! I'll also be adding speakers and mounting amps to this area.

For the spot closest to the cab is where I'm going to put the custom sub enclosure. I have to wait to install the bed cover, to measure this area, and use as much space as possible after finding out how to make the bed flat. I'm also going cover this area before installing the box in case I have to remove it for any reason. To do that I'm going to simply add a thin layer of insulation and apply with spray adheasive.

To make the the bed and tailgate flat is the biggest question! I don't want to have to use wood for it all but looks that way. Blazers have a bedliner kit that looks flat but need to research that more. More than likely too expensive for my budget.

Going with the checkmate cover. Its the most affordable of the two and sits flush. Some reviews say that it leaks at the hinge. That was only for DODGE owners on forums that showed up on a google search. Chevy forums state nothing of that matter. I'll just have to work out that issue if it does happen. Won't be able to use my tail gate handle relocate kit since the cover has an internal latch system. Could do it if I installed like a trunk pop kit and hinges so the tail gate wouldn't slam but thats too much for me!

Fuel cell install here: http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_suspension/fuelcellinstall.htm
Will have to mod a bit more because of the bed but just what I was looking for.

Almost forgot! Have to install bed caps and weld up some holes the P.O. had drilled for some bed rails. Is there a kit to shave the fuel doors or do I have to just use sheet metal?

[thachevythang]

UPDATE: waiting for the bed cover to come in, looking at speakers and still dont know what I'm going to do to make the bed flat!
(could somebody move this to the project section for me? Lots of view but no pointers yet)

Does anybody remember the post about a red and black blazer that had lots of interior work done? I did a search but no luck. He painted alot of the interior trim pieces and I belive he did a little custom carpet job in the rear as well. It would really help me out alot.

[BigBlueBoy]

Why not just find someone parting out a K5 Blazer with a decent interior and modify it to fit? If I remember correctly under my carpet is the same as your bed but dont quote me its been awhile since i been under the carpet.

[thachevythang]

Why not just find someone parting out a K5 Blazer with a decent interior and modify it to fit? If I remember correctly under my carpet is the same as your bed but dont quote me its been awhile since i been under the carpet.

Is the rear of it a smooth surface? I had a 78 in high school but no carpet?!