Not sure about having to drive all the way down but the Ace hardware in downtown Encinitas has a pretty good selection of harder to find hardware. They have a decent amount of stainless metric....I've been there a million times now. I think maybe a little better than HD. Your truck looks...
Great thread, the rig looks awesome. I'm maybe a little too late on seeing it since it looks like you are getting close to being done. I have a 73 (Oct 72) also and am down in Leucadia. Let me know if you ever need a hand.