Headache/Bed Rack - Finished!
Here is a rack I've been working on the last week or so when I can. I've been building this in my head since before I got the truck and finally got around to putting it together as the toolbox I had on the truck was starting to fall apart. As I build the truck more and more, I want to gear this one towards more of a Expo/Zombie Apocalypse rig. For me, this requires two spares, extra fuel, and as much storage as possible. In all of this I also want to swap to a stack for the exhaust (have to be ready for those water crossings while eluding the hordes of undead).
I only had to pick up the angle and the rest I had laying around from previous projects. The bed rails are 3/16" with everything else ranging from 14ga to 1/8". The rails and some small pieces were salvaged from a ladder rack that I have had no luck selling. I figured it was worth the $50 I paid for it in metal. Total weight of just the rack is probably in the 150-200lb range.
One thing that always bothers me when expanded metal is used is the raw edge that almost always is left. Call it OCD or anal, but I had to frame it out.
Tire mounts. Nothing fancy, just a cradle for it to sit in. I eventually want to run 39" range so I made the spaces big enough to fit just about anything in that size.
Tie-downs are always a necessity, and the more the better. I didn't want big loops hanging off everywhere, so I picked up a handful of these rings and chopped them up. There is a 1/4 of a ring at each upright on the rails and half a dozen half rings for the spare hold downs and at the very rear of the bed rails. The 1/4 rings are perfect for regular ratchet straps or bungees.
The rack itself is finished, but I still need to build the toolbox and stack. The toolbox is an older one I had picked up for my Tacoma and was in the middle of redoing when I totaled it. It's your normal truck style box. I'm going to cut one end off and spin it so the lid faces the rear of the truck. It will be in the big void next to the driver tire. The stack will be between the fuel cans and headache rack.
Hold down for the fuel cans. The main bar holds them down while the angle to the side keeps the cans from being opened. The rear is hinged and the front will lock with a receiver lock.
Every truck needs a good place to mount a hi-lift.
Going to clean it up today and get paint on so I can get it on the truck in a day or two. I've got house chores for the coming week so hopefully I can get the toolbox done next week. If you look closely you may spy the stack material....
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