My new truck back rack and custom mount

[psychob0b1977]

Hi all,

I just wanted to show off the new back rack i put on my truck, and the custom toolbox mounts i made. This is my first welding project, other than repair welding.

here it is all mounted up with auxiliary back up lights:


Here is a close-up of the mounts. They are 1/4" x 3" steel welded to the back rack. the reason i made them is to lower the toolbox almost 2 inches, compared to the stock toolbox mounts.


this is a picture of the factory mounts, which i personally find ugly, and i feel like it blocks too much of the rear window.


Next on the to-do list is to put the hologen mini-bar up on top of the back rack. i need to make a bracket for it though, between school, an 8 year old son, and no snow, i cant buy one.

does anyone have any pictures of custom light mounts they have made? i've made a few test brackets and thought they looked like s*** so i'm looking for ideas.

Thanks!

 

[Montosi82]

Looks sweet. How did you attach the box to the rack?

 

[psychob0b1977]

I attached it by bolting straight through the toolbox, the back rack, and the bed sides. The previous owner had a ladder rack on the truck, so there were holes in the bed sides anyway.

 

[Montosi82]

Sounds good thanks

 

[xyster101]

Post a picture from the rear. How were you able to recess the box the way you did? Looks slick.

 

[psychob0b1977]

Here's a picture from the back:


The reason that the box is so low, is I welded 1/4" bar stock to the bottom of the rack. The normal mounts bolt to the rack and they are about 2" tall.

 

[johndeereman]

Look's good.

 

[onemore]

Hey looks OEM. Good job

 

[psychob0b1977]

Thanks, I was trying to make it look oem.

I'm working on a light mount too for the top. I'll post some progress pictures when I get a chance to work some more on it.

 

[AMCguy]

Looks great. How is it for forward and backward stability?

 

[psychob0b1977]

forward stability is perfect. its probably stronger than the oem mounts.

backward stability leave a little to be desired, only due to where it is bolted. the forward most bolt is approximately 12" from the front of the rack. so there is some flex. I am going to solve that by bolting it straight through the rack into the bed. the only reason i didnt do that right off the bat, is that i needed to make some special bolts with a plate welded to the head.

i will post some pictures when i get it done. with the weather, and holiday rapidly approaching it'll be a few days till i can work on it.