F350,Homemade head rack and staked side

[BlackOakTreeServ]

97' FORD F350 4x4 wood racks.....

I built the head rack and staked it to be able to haul more wood and keep it from falling out...my goal was one cord in the F350.

I could only get a 1/3 cord in the toyota tundra thats sold now, but that was dangerous when it was wet oak, riding on the bump stops all the way home was no fun, just dumb.

started with frame 1 1/2 x 2' .95wall square tubing. 2x2 angle under window and 2x3 angle for the sides.

Next was 1x1 square tube across and 2 down to hold in the 3/8's solid round bar...very stong but light, is what im looking for.

Now to stength things up I added a piece of 3/8's x 1 1/2 solid bar...like a roll bar down tube = stability.

In this pic I needed to get to the stake hole, so I cut a piece out of the 2x3 angle and welded a 2x3 piece of square tubing for securing the stakes

That part is done now its time to stake......

Used 1x3 for sides and 1 1/2x2 for the upward stake (a note here ford holes for the stakes are different.....the back near tail gate are 1 1/2 x 2"...the middle and front are 1 1/4 x 2" are you kidding me?.. its true and made it more time consuming)

 

[wvlogger]

looks good but has to be heavy

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

looks good but has to be heavy

wvlogger, not very heavy at all, used thin wall tubing...very easy to put in and take out.

My goal was to make it as light as possible but strong enough to hold big load.

 

[wvlogger]

wvlogger, not very heavy at all, used thin wall tubing...very easy to put in and take out.

My goal was to make it as light as possible but strong enough to hold big load.

oh okay it looks great gotta see a load on it

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Here's pic of stake's done.....used 3/8's solid round to fill in frame.

 

[WetBehindtheEar]

Very nice fab work! I wish I had that skill.

Question: Did you have to drill & tap the bed for the button head cap screws for the headache rack?

Did you weld a nut on the back side of the sheet metal in those positions?

 

[Beefie]

Nice fab work woodyman44. I would put some work lights on that head rack, helps for unloading at night.

Beefie

 

[flushcut]

A true thing of beauty did you have it powder coated or just use paint?

 

[mga]

excellent job, man....the damn thing looks good!

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Very nice fab work! I wish I had that skill.

Question: Did you have to drill & tap the bed for the button head cap screws for the headache rack?

Did you weld a nut on the back side of the sheet metal in those positions?

Just drilled through, 3/8 hole, with nut on back with washer.... the easy way.

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

A true thing of beauty did you have it powder coated or just use paint?

Used rattle can black gloss, no powder coat.

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Nice fab work woodyman44. I would put some work lights on that head rack, helps for unloading at night.

Beefie

Beef, will add lights when I find the right one's ....

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

excellent job, man....the damn thing looks good!

Thanks bro!!!

 

[shelbythedog]

Have you worked on the tailgate section yet? I'm looking for more ideas to "borrow" for my own project.

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Have you worked on the tailgate section yet? I'm looking for more ideas to "borrow" for my own project.

Hey Shel, will start mid next week on tailgate part...I have some good idea's how I want to build it, but hope it turns out ok when building.

Borrow all ya want bro!!..hope your turns out nice!! post pics when you done.

 

[rancher2]

Woodsman44
Nice work, nice old truck. Now you just need to put a hoist under the bed to make unloading wood easier. I have put many a hoist under pickup bed trailers and it sure saves the back. Good luck with the tail gate project.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Do you do this type of work for a living? That looks professionally made.

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Do you do this type of work for a living? That looks professionally made.

I was a aircraft welder for 18 years, so it comes easy to me. And yes I have my own welding buisness now.

Thanks

 

[FOSTY]

I also Fab'd one up about a week ago, Not installed yet tho...

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Fosty, looks really nice, now get er finished......lol