My headache rack, feedback?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Thornton CO
My headache rack, feedback?
Here are some pictures of my weekend project i wanted to share. I Had a four day weekend and decided it was time to get me a headache rack. I wanted to make it myself because i could control how high it went, i don't like them to stick out so far past the cab.
this was my original idea, to just have a frame with heavy gauge tubing with a cut out for the third brake light.
After searching online i found a picture from a spyder headache rack and i liked it. i modified mine and decided if i did something similar i could use smaller gauge tubing wich is what i wanted.
Plus it gave me the idea to make a rear rack too that it is just 9" high, it just gives me enough room to clear the things i have in the bed, but it doesn't stick out too high
Right now I have everything is cut and ready to weld, i'll be staying up late tonght hoping i can have it n the truck by tomorrow. I'm planning on later adding some lights but for now i just need it to to be functional and help me carry long material for work without having to rest it on the cab. i'll add some pictures on the truck later. I had tons of fun making this, what do you guys think?
this was my original idea, to just have a frame with heavy gauge tubing with a cut out for the third brake light.
After searching online i found a picture from a spyder headache rack and i liked it. i modified mine and decided if i did something similar i could use smaller gauge tubing wich is what i wanted.
Plus it gave me the idea to make a rear rack too that it is just 9" high, it just gives me enough room to clear the things i have in the bed, but it doesn't stick out too high
Right now I have everything is cut and ready to weld, i'll be staying up late tonght hoping i can have it n the truck by tomorrow. I'm planning on later adding some lights but for now i just need it to to be functional and help me carry long material for work without having to rest it on the cab. i'll add some pictures on the truck later. I had tons of fun making this, what do you guys think?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
looks good. i need to buy or make one soon. i definitely want to put lights on mine and would like to be able to move the lights around. i was thinking of using aluminum unistrut and fabbing up some light mounts that would allow me to slide the lights around in the strut... due to lack of free time, though, i'll probably just buy one and drill someholes for lights. first i have to save up some money...
anyway, i'm looking forward to seeing your finished product.
anyway, i'm looking forward to seeing your finished product.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
This is the second reason I did it the way I did. Gussets are really necessaru especially if you ever plan to strap off to your rack.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Me too - looks like you are on the right track though. Post soon
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 182
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From: Thornton CO
Brace the inner bar at the outside corners. A short section of tubing from the larger to the smaller will work. Having welds at 90* will allow that inner bar to wobble and, over time, break welds.
I'll certainly will get some pictures up when it's on the truck. Didn't get as much done as I hoped. Probably until next weekend i'll have it done and on the truck. It'll give me time to decide wether i should paint it black or go with a silver color. originally i was planning on just using that duplicolor brush on bed liner. i'll keep pondering on the color from now until then
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Thornton CO
It's ready for paint, hopefully it'll be on the truck by the weekend. i got two white back up lights coming that i'm planning on putting on between the inner and outer bars at the top. hopefully my spray can paint job will turn out ok, i'm usually horrible with spray cans.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
Looks amazing! But how long did it take you to fabricate? I am wanting to do the same so I just need to find the time with this dang medic class. Also, how do you plan to mount it? are you just bolting to the bed, or running it down to the trucks frame?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Thornton CO
I ended up just painting it black, using spray on bed liner, it turned out good i think, it's been sitting in our storage room curing, instructions said it's cure time is about 48 hrs. it's ok now im getting ready to go install it.
It's just going to install by bolting to the bed and into the side pockets. i'lll take some pictures of how it bolts
Mr.Dilac7.3
It took me two weekend to build, but it wasn't so hard, I just have two little ones and they always seem to be in what I'm doing, I don't mind it just takes longer. My five year old thought it was the coolest thing to see me weld. Yes I had an extra mask she was using. If I were to say the grinding took the longest. Next time i'll take more time and make sure my welds are nicer so I could only grind the outside and leave the inside corners like they are, but I like it how it looks with all the welds smoothed out
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