Hey Doug. What did you use to remove the chrome ? Easy off in the yellow can will remove it in a minute or two. Also there are a bunch of other stuff the guys here use and you can see a thread about strippers and chrome removers in the question section. Good luck with your build.
Here's another mock up with the start of the flat bed. Still needs to be stained but I am thinking at least size wise it fits the truck pretty good. Trying to have it done sometime this weekend.