good idea of what to put on it

 

The extension is quite common on flatbed headache racks. That tends to be where they mount the spare tire on. My friend has a Go-Light mounted up there instead on his F250. I was thinking about adding mounts for a hi-lift that would sit between the bed and toolbox. Best way to keep the racks from shaking is to use angle iron for the runners and if you have the supply, run them the entire length of the bed rails.

 

Thats a great idea, and weld eyelets for tie down points. I have just figured out how to make my bed unbelievably awesome. Thanks guys.

 

I normally use my antenna mounts as tiedown points.

 

I have found there is never a tie down point where i need one.

 

ya that happens never having a handy tie down and I've got angel going just past my tool box and it dosent shake at all

 

Well here's an update for what I did today...which mostly consisted of playing with OS 10.7 Lion. Still waiting on a chop saw, think I might go get my grandfathers (hour drive) tomorrow and bring it back so I can actually get started with the construction. I did work some on the antenna mount, finishing up the main tab since it had a bit of slag to clean up from the torch. Also drilled most of the antenna stud hole, but for some reason my half inch bit and unibit are in another state. Got the gussets fabbed up an ready to be welded but want to make sure there is clearance for the FirdRing coax (ordered that yesterday) before I burn those to the mount. I did do something useful while playing with Lion and ordered the LED STP 6.5" lights (clear lens) and the LED 6.5" backup lights from R and P Carriages who have some of the best prices I have seen on LED lighting. Sorry about the long rant, but this is a headache rack build thread and that's what I'm trying to get everything together to do.

 

Here is what mine looks like. I have to antenna mounts one on each side, 9 LED 3rd brake light in center(this is old pic), center has a plate to mount a work light or for fire/police it is heavy and really sturdy. Mine was off of an older model truck because I had to cut about 5" out of the left side to get it to fit in my bed, I have since then fixed that.

 

My current one has 4 antenna mounts, two of which have lights hanging from them. Mine was actually built for a livestock show when I was still in high school and was showed as a universal rack (fits later model Ford and Dodge HD's very nicely) and is too tall for this truck. When I added all of the mounts, I was planning on getting my Ham but now I've figured I rather just do the ham antenna through the roof if I ever end up getting it. So the new one is only getting 1 antenna mount.

About two months ago I narrowed and shortened a 06 SD headache rack to fit my buddies 02 F150. Had to cut a good 4" out of the full length bed rail (short bed 06 SD's are a bit longer than 02 F150's) and narrow the rails an inch on each side. Still sits 6" above his cab but like my current one but it at least fits. Not bad for a $150 rack and a friend that knows how to used a torch and welder.

 

the progress is looking good