5 Free DIY Headache Rack Plans You Can Make Today

5 Free DIY Headache Rack Plans You Can Make Today

If you haul heavy loads in your truck, you already know what a headache rack is. If you really do not: it is a metallic bulkhead that matches throughout the again window of a pickup. Headache racks provide an added layer of defense in scenario heavy cargo arrives free owing to an affect or unexpected cease — without them, traveling objects could crack the window and injure the driver and travellers.

There are other positive aspects, too. Headache racks shade the inside of of your cabin and preserve it great. They’re also fantastic for mounting other equipment like rear lights. Regrettably, aftermarket headache racks are too typically flimsy, untrustworthy, overpriced, or all a few.

These 8 cost-free programs will teach you how to construct a headache rack. A phrase of warning, however. Headache racks aren’t as well-known among Do it yourself lovers as, say, shoe organizers, so these ideas are a bit rougher around the edges than our normal fare. Just have faith in your skills and your fellow crafters, and you ought to be in a position to fill in the gaps all right.

5 Free DIY Headache Rack Plans You Can Make Today

The 5 Free DIY Headache Rack Plans You Can Make Today

1. Frontier Headache Rack by DIY Attempt

We thought we’d commence with Diy (Attempt), since we appreciate how truthful they are about their undertaking earn price. That said, this Alaska-design headache rack isn’t an endeavor — it is a entire-on success.

The rack commences with a foundation that suits in your truck’s bed, then adds everything else on leading of the initial bar. It’s powerful, useful, and harmonizes properly with the look of any truck.

Tools:

  • Welding torch
  • Steel chop saw
  • Pipe bender
  • Paint brush

Supplies:

  • 1½” angle iron
  • Square tubing
  • Round tubing
  • Black paint

2. Headache Rack by YourMechanic

YourMechanic provides a easy, in depth guidebook to building a Diy headache rack than can deal with practically any business load. This prepare starts off with the very 1st measurements, and goes all the way via to installation in 19 measures (some optional).

We recommend adhering to all the recommendations in right here, specially the warning about setting up the rack with at least an inch of clearance from the window.

Tools:

  • Drill
  • Ratchet with sockets
  • Steel chop saw
  • Tape measure
  • Welder

Supplies:

  • 30 feet of 2″ x ¼” square steel tubing
  • (21) ½”x 4″ x ½” steel plates
  • 8½” x 3″ grade 8 bolts with lock washers

3. Homemade Headache Rack by Powerstroke

UNDERCOVER_73 on the Powerstroke discussion boards created his possess headache rack for the 1st time, and it seems like it went Okay. This plan supplies a full checklist of resources and supplies, but the rest of it is conveyed totally by means of photographs, so reconstructing his function is absolutely an expert-amount project. If you are up for the problem, use this guidebook to learn how to construct a headache rack of your own.

Tools:

  • Reciprocating saw
  • Drill
  • Grinder
  • Welder
  • Level
  • Measuring tape
  • Ratchet kit

Supplies:

  • ¼” steel
  • Box tubing
  • ⅛” steel
  • ¼” angle iron
  • Grade 8 Bolts
  • Nuts
  • Washers
  • Black spray paint

4. DIY Headache Rack by rparcels

Reddit’s r/Diy community is a hotbed of amazing layout tips. One of our favorites takes place to be this home made headache rack by user rparcels. You can examine out his post earlier mentioned, or go immediately to the task album on Imgur.

This rack was manufactured to in shape a 2010 GMC Canyon, but it’s straightforward to change the measurements to fit your own truck. It protects your back window with four durable bars linked by scaled-down struts.

Tools:

  • Chop saw with metal-cutting blade
  • Angle grinder
  • Files
  • Stick welder
  • Drill press

Supplies:

  • 2″ x 2″ square metal channels
  • 5″ x 0.5″ metal bars
  • Flat metal plates
  • Nuts
  • Bolts
  • Washers

5. Headache Rack by WikiHow

We can’t credit history an author for this headache rack style from WikiHow, simply because the individuals that worked on it favored to stay nameless. But we really don't need to have to know their names to know their metalwork is seem.

This style is 1 of the best, clearest plans for constructing and installing a headache rack we have at any time observed out of the whole listing, it’s the 1 we’d advise for beginners. It is designed for a 1991 Ford, but can be altered for your personal truck if you measure your rear window first.

Tools:

  • Welder
  • Chop saw
  • Drill

Supplies:

  • 25 feet of 1½” square tubing
  • 2 feet of ¼” x 1½” sheet metal
  • Nuts
  • Bolts
  • Washers

Featured Impression Credit score: Erik Mclean, Unsplash

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