Can I put a 8 ft bed on a 6 1/2 ft bed on a 1998 silverado?

Sure - I taught myself to do it with a shop manual and basic tools - and I'm a clutz. Problems arise when you run into a problem such as a seized caliper and there you are in you driveway with your car immobile. I'd say - go for it if it's a relatively new/lower mileage car that is isn't rust incrusted.

Some of these jobs may require specialist tools but a mechanically inclined person could do them.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.