Def keep the wood.... pretty unique and think yours is the only other cruiser that I have seen on here with it.
Oh and you will LOVE those S/T Maxx. Been running mine for going on 2yrs now and they have been incredible. Cant remember exactly how many miles I have on them, probably close to 10k and no road noise.
I had the st maxx's on my tundra-they did great in everything snow/mud hardpack. So it was an easy choice as soon as I went to 16" rims.
I was thinking black liner along the rockers, but maybe a tint would be better.