clw

Managed to keep back window in one piece through one more year but as the heart of landscaping season has crept up on me, I've decided it's time to build myself a headache rack. I can build one cheaper than I can buy one and I'm looking to improve on some things I don't really like about most ones I see. I'd love to hear all y'alls input, questions, concerns, etc. You can tell me what you don't like too but ill probably ignore you.


Questions:

-Does anybody have measurements of the back of the cab and width of the bed?
-Does anybody have pictures of your racks or of ones you like?
-Should I bedliner it or just spray a few coats of black enamel paint?


I'm going to make the extruded steel face removable from the frame. I'm also thinking of making a steel Maryland flag face to replace it when I feel like being flashy.

I'm also going to make the rack run pretty much flush with the top and sides of the cab.

I'll be putting some lights in the top which will be hooked to a switch in the cab and an all-weather strip on the rack.

Several strong tie down points and quick-fist clamps will also be on there for cables, tools, and tethering down goodies in the bed.

The whole assembly will be in the bed in a quick-change manner so I can put it on and take it off easily whenever I feel like.

Again, please let me know what you think. I'll get plans and pictures up along the way.

th25

Thats a good idea man i wana build one for my truck too but i cant weld haha.

clw

haha I plan on using the MIG on it all. I'm learning how to TIG right now but it's unbelievable difficult. I'm not going to be comfortable enough on the TIG to do this any time soon.

Hunttman01

MIG will look good. And engine enamel should work, if It's cheaper then bedliner... And just throwing this idea out, antenna mounts and bed rails with tie downs would be cool features

speeddemon86

I use a back rack on my truck I love it

zmadams

I think I should invest in a headache rack....

clw

I'm gonna MIG and grind it smooth. Not a huge fan of bed rails, but tiedowns are a must. I like the idea of antenna mounts, gotta think of something creative to do with that.

clw

The back racks are nice. My friend's got one on his and it seem's solid too. I'm just looking for a project and something a little personalized.

speeddemon86

Make sure if you're going to use MIG and want to grind the welds smooth make sure you have lots of penetration on the welds! Use a grinder to prep the joints so you get a groove to lay a weld in so you don't grind all the strength out of it. It's gotta be strong to keep stuff out of the cab an to use it to tie things down with

FFEMTPSTX

holy crap that sucks hope everyone was ok.....