Check out my rack

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I had some down time this week, and here's what I did with it.This is a two piece lumber rack for my truck bed. As an afterthought I  welded a piece of galvanized Unistrut to the top of each one so that I can attach things like kayak carriers  with spring nuts.(Is manganese poisoning the reason it burns when I pee?) Anyway, there's also a small detachable section in the front that has it's own receiver under the front brush guard. It will allow me to move a few 20' sticks on occasion. It wasn't intended to be very heavy duty. The rear portion however, is pretty solid.I also made some removable "J" carriers to hold kayaks.If I were to build another set, I'd bend a single piece of flat metal instead of all the hassle with the pipes. Pictures are coming up here in a sec, but I've got a couple of questions:I leaned these racks inwards 20 degrees to follow the contour of the cab for aerodynamics as well as aesthetics.What's the best way to cut a compound angle? I cut the vertical pieces at 20 degrees then measured the difference in length between one side of the cut and the other. (It was about a 1/2"). So I marked that on the support piece that I already cut at 45 degrees. Then I free handed it on the chop saw. , I've still got all my fingers, but there must be a better way.Secondly, you'll notice a black square angle iron frame in one of the pictures. That goes around my truck bed because my truck didn't come with any stake pockets or any tie down points. The frame gives me something rigid to bolt through. Does anyone have a better idea for versatile rack/accessory solutions than what I've come up with? Thanks! Attached Images
Reply:Here's the rest. Attached Images
Reply:err, nice racks
Reply:HundredaireSocialite,I'm very curious.....1.  What dimension tubing did you use for the kayak rack? 2.  Did you simply make the bends on a HF bender with the large 3.5 die?5.  Did you fill them with sand to prevent kinking/crushing at the bend?Thank you!
Reply:Now that's a nice, very well thought out and sturdy rack.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Yeah, pretty disappointed with the 'Title' of this thread...  I was REALLY hoping to see a 'Sweet Socialites Rack'.... bummer. (Still an nice RACK though !)BTW, do you have a PIC of the front 'reciever attachment'?  I'd like to make something like that for my Durango.Cheers,Last edited by jman; 09-14-2010 at 12:03 PM.Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:Nice work - I might have to borrow a couple ideas from that when I make mine.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966HundredaireSocialite,I'm very curious.....1.  What dimension tubing did you use for the kayak rack? 2.  Did you simply make the bends on a HF bender with the large 3.5 die?5.  Did you fill them with sand to prevent kinking/crushing at the bend?Thank you!
Reply:Originally Posted by jmanYeah, pretty disappointed with the 'Title' of this thread...  I was REALLY hoping to see a 'Sweet Socialites Rack'.... bummer. (Still an nice RACK though !)BTW, do you have a PIC of the front 'reciever attachment'?  I'd like to make something like that for my Durango.Cheers,
Reply:Originally Posted by HundredaireSocialiteSecondly, you'll notice a black square angle iron frame in one of the pictures. That goes around my truck bed because my truck didn't come with any stake pockets or any tie down points. The frame gives me something rigid to bolt through. Does anyone have a better idea for versatile rack/accessory solutions than what I've come up with? Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by HundredaireSocialiteHaha, you should be thankful it's only pictures of the rack on my truck!Anyway, here's a pic of the receiver. It's not very heavy duty, I don't plan on over loading it. I just thought it was a nice compliment to the two in the back. I've got a trailer when I need it but I usually don't buy more than a few pieces of anything at a time. So this should work fine for my needs. The receiver needs another bolt through it to keep it from pivoting but the way I feed the rack attachment through my brushguard doesn't allow for any movement anyway.This part of the project was inspired by Jack Olsen's sweet Jeep rack.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=42108
Reply:Great rack!  I can see me building one of these in order to purchase full length metal without having to pay the cutting fees for hauling.
Reply:Originally Posted by captain bellyGreat rack!  I can see me building one of these in order to purchase full length metal without having to pay the cutting fees for hauling.
Reply:Awesome! MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Nice job!Jason
Reply:Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Originally Posted by AaronLWhat about Uni Strut on the inside of the bed, that way you could move your racks if needed.  I have something similar in my frontier, and was actually planning on making rails like yours to hold a cargo box when I go camping or riding, or both.
Reply:Looks like what I need. I have a Rolling Lock cover on my Tundra and will have to fab. the brackets to fit over the rail/track. Thanks for posting this!