Homebrew Rod Rack

[Brady]

Been looking for a Rod Rack that spans across the bed behind the cab in the stake pockets. Came across several, both DIY and pro built. The nice ones are way out of my budget.

I'll only use this a few times a year for trips to the coast and Lake Erie. Decided to build one. Keep in mind my skills are elementary lol.

$35 with of steel. 1-1/2" square and 1-3/4" round tube, both 16gauge I believe. About 32' of it. Enough for 2 or 3 racks maybe. Not that I'll build more then 1 haha.

Cut out the stake pockets using a razorblade, scoring the outline until she snapped out. Outline is not actual hole size for some reason.

Cut the legs. 14" length. Just above the bed rails I cut 17degree angles to get it to follow cab lines and rise away from the back glass.

Tacked & test fitted.

Rough finish weld.

That's where I stand now. Cross bar and Rod holders coming soon. I'll also need to sleeve the base as the stake pocket is 1-1/2"x2" and my material is square 1-1/2". And need to figure out how to secure it through the access hole inside the bed as well. I'm thinking some kind of cam lock. Anyhow, I'll update as I progress. Thanks for looking.


-Brady

 

[Brady]

-Brady

 

[Brady]

Made a quick jig to work off the truck and outta the rain.

-Brady

 

[Brady]

Crossbar tacked. Lines up nice & plumb shockingly. With the tubes mounted it should be under 30lbs. I can live with that.

-Brady

 

[Brady]

-Brady

 

[BoostN]

Man, that's awesome. I may have missed it, but are you going to powdercoat it or?

 

[Brady]

Thanks! It's sturdy for sure. I call it the mid evil rack.

Not sure if I'm going to powdercoat or rattle can it truck bed liner. Ideally, powder coat a light color such as white or sky blue so it doesn't get so blazing hot. Either way, I'll pretty it up. [emoji106]But it's gonna come down to how much either would cost. Trying to stay under $100....


-Brady

 

[Brady]

Anybody with a cnc machine need a small job??? I need 7 of each....1/8" thick

-Brady

 

[Brady]

Tubes notched...

-Brady

 

[BoostN]

Thanks! It's sturdy for sure. I call it the mid evil rack.

Not sure if I'm going to powdercoat or rattle can it truck bed liner. Ideally, powder coat a light color such as white or sky blue so it doesn't get so blazing hot. Either way, I'll pretty it up. [emoji106]But it's gonna come down to how much either would cost. Trying to stay under $100....


-Brady

Yea, I would say that cost would be well over $100 for that powdercoat option. Either way looks good and keep us updated.

 

[Brady]

Yea I'm just about at $100 with the material cost. $35 for the steel and I found a machinist to cut my brackets for $55 shipped. So a good rattle can job will be put me slightly over budget but still darn close. And thank you, will do. Work will be slow for a week or so until brackets are here, but I'll post as more work is done.


-Brady

 

[jdn112011]

Never seen one of those but it's a good idea and for 100$ it's lookin good. Functionality is key!

 

[jdn112011]

I personally would've Used PVC for the tubes and then utilized a metal frame. even being well painted and whatever you do, the metal will retain water more and rust inside the tubes. And unless you're using very expensive DOM (drawn on mandrel) steel then the weld seam is going to tear apart your rods in time. Foam or cork. And stain your rod handles with rust

 

[Brady]

Lol well PVC just wouldn't jive with my mid-evil overbuilt theme I have going on. But the tubes are cold rolled, no weld seam. Not sure I coulda figured out a way to join the plastic & metal anyhow. You are right tho, this thing will have some rust no matter what I do. But being as its use will be very limited, I'll deal with that.


-Brady

 

[jdn112011]

You just would've needed a little extra steel and some variety, and a whole saw. You know how you extended the uprights a second time? Then instead of using a single cross member use two, an upper and a lower. Use two inch square or rectangle, have the upper one pass all the way through and the lower only through one wall so it stops, or somethin like that.

I don't mean to impose on your midevil build it's good, I just would be very bothered by the rust staining rods

 

[Brady]

Lol no offense taken. You have a good idea. Ideally aluminum would've been my choice. Using a tube bender and a notcher and I could've gotten surgical with it. BUT I lack the tools and knowledge for that scenario.


-Brady

 

[Brady]

Finally received my brackets from Ballard Fab out of Marysville Ohio.

Tacked in place.

-Brady

 

[Brady]

-Brady

 

[BoostN]

Looking good. Figured out a coating yet? If nothing else, maybe get one of those rhino liner kits from the parts store and coat it.

 

[Brady]

Yea, kinda like a heck with it snap decision I went with this lineup-

I'll use the undercoating for the tops of the tubes where the reels slide in and on the legs that slide down into the stake pockets on truck. We will see how the blue turns out lol.


-Brady