Headache rack fabs lets see em

[R.Anderson]

Getting a 2000 F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab soon (Once the dealership is done making some minor repairs) I prefer deluxe commercial toppers but height, costs, and the wife not wanting one( too hard for her to drive) pushed me away from this. So I am looking at making a headache rack to protect the rear window and use as a ladder rack at times (with removable rear half rack part) also thinking of having angle steel running full length of the bed. There will be a truck box for tools and stuff that will go on as well. A wish of mine with this is to incorporate a 1000# hoist crane to slide into the place the rear ladder rack part slides into.

The fabrication of this is not a problem at all, just looking for ideas that work and look great for inspiration. So show off what ya have made or have

Here are a few pictures I found online that I like the looks of.

 

[stinkity stoink]

Here is mine. I wasn't to worried about protecting the back window. Just needed it to tie longer material on.[/ATTACH]

 

[R.Anderson]

Here is mine. I wasn't to worried about protecting the back window. Just needed it to tie longer material on.[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the pic Stinkity Stoink looks good, anything you would of done different after using it?

There has to be other members on here with headache racks on their trucks lets see em.

 

[Zrexxer]

I built this one back when I had a Dodge.

 

[R.Anderson]

I built this one back when I had a Dodge.

Nice , Like the looks of gussets and the slats. How well do the angle slats work for blocking the sun?

 

[Zrexxer]

Nice , Like the looks of gussets and the slats. How well do the angle slats work for blocking the sun?

Thanks. I never really took notice of how well they blocked the sun, to be honest.

My biggest regret about that design in retrospect is that the base was just 1/4" flat bar, and even with the gussets it wasn't rigid enough. If I did it over, I'd use 2-1/2" angle. But I sold that one years ago, so it's someone else's problem now

 

[stinkity stoink]

Thanks for the pic Stinkity Stoink looks good, anything you would of done different after using it?

Only thing I need to do is add a few tie downs up higher on the top piece. It will just make it a little easier strapping stuff down.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Mine is a simple affair that has corner work lights shining back. It also holds a full width amber Whelen strobe lightbar along with traffic arrow stick, etc. It was something I scrounged and modified.

Today, I think I'd just fab one up, and include more tie downs for the rack along with something to protect the top of the lightbar for ladders to rest on or long lengths of steel (I get 20' pieces of angle cut in half to transport).

Something else I wish I had- tiedowns on the sides. The Chevy S10 has smooth tops to the fenders and no place for stake pockets which used to be handy tie down locations on trucks. I think rails running down on each side out of simple 1 1/2" angle with holes drilled every 6" or so would be idea for securing loads.

 

[RedRabbit]

I'm just wondering, what does a headache rack do? They look cool but besides extra tie down points, are they just for looks?

 

[mrvm]

I'm just wondering, what does a headache rack do? They look cool but besides extra tie down points, are they just for looks?

Under the right situations, i.e.: emergency braking, with loose projectiles (heavy objects not secured) in the pickup bed the headache rack could prevent a permanent headache or at the minimum a broken rear window. Otherwise it provides additional tie downs and maybe some style.

 

[R.Anderson]

Thanks for the post guys, and keep em coming.

So far the general consensus is more tie down locations. If built kinda like Zrexxer's rack with the pipe across where the load sits on all I would need is two points, one on each side.

 

[APEowner]

Done right, they allow you to carry ladders and other long items without laying them against the cab. They also allow you to easily tie tall items securely (think refrigerator) against the front of the bed.

 

[mopar65]

I built this headache rack for a friend of mine who is in the pilot car business for oversize loads.it went on a 2013 dodge I painted it to match their color pickup true blue.it is just setting on my pickup in picture to get an idea how it would look