DIY Truck Cargo Ladder Rack Build
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- čas přidán 9. 08. 2019
- Welding, painting, and installing a DIY steel roof utility rack for the pickup. Designed for hauling lumber, ladders, cargo, and more.
#truckrack #ladderrack #weldedrack
Main tools used in this project:
✯ Chop saw for cutting steel: amzn.to/2KpASB8
✯ Tungsten marking pencil: amzn.to/31uv9zJ
✯ Best grinder I've had: amzn.to/2YGGY91
✯ Cheap LPHV paint sprayer: amzn.to/2GXZEWQ
✯ Basic MIG welder: amzn.to/2YFSuS7
Dimensions: I mentioned that the rack is 12' long. The square tubing is all 1" x 1" and 1/8" thick. The long rail tubes are 1" x 3" and also 1/8" thick. The wire mesh was something they had at my steel yard ... ask around and you'll be able to find different kinds of mesh.
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Welding and grinding next to the fuel can, extra 10 points!! Great video per usual!
No explosion… at least not on camera:)
That was so darn cool! Just a fantastic job! Thank you for sharing!!!
Oh excellent! Good to hear. Thanks man
nice job, I have built a few myself and the the last one I had it galvanized when it was done and it still looks great after 5 years
Oh man, having it galvanized sounds smart! Mine is showing some signs of rust in year one ... great idea
New sub. As someone else said ... I really need to learn to weld. So, I went out and bought a 220v stick welder and a 110v mig. Now to unbox them and get started. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh you're gonna have fun and learn fast, I bet. Some say stick is the best way to learn because it's basic yet challenging. Either way you're gonna love it. I'm out there in the shop welding whenever I have the chance
Agreed. When the wife has a honey do I tell her ok I'll make it out out of 3/16" plate.
Oh yeah! Thick stock
Make sure you check your environment before welding. This way to can remove potential fire hazards like the plastic gas can he’s welding right next to. Not sure how many sparks you need to burn a hole in it. And don’t really want to find out.
Also audel pocket welding reference is a great book to read about welding.
@lordrichard8184 pow! Good eye man. So true
Very well built, Spencer! I think I might have put mesh along the whole length. I also love your woolly helpers! 😀
I think you might be right ... it's a lot easier to walk around on the mesh :)
Great workmanship, excellent camera work, thanks!!
Big thanks!
I'm recovering from surgery, can't use my right arm, and just saw your video and really gave me a good feeling. Thanks for sharing your work, love and home. Keep the good stuff happening. New follower here!!!!!
So good to hear! Heal up!
I built a similar rack for my Toyota truck back in the 80's. It served me well and didn't have to remove the work shell. Good Job!
Oh how I love those Toyota trucks! Always looking for a used one ... but never finding one. :)
They are rare as hens teeth
I really enjoyed the video and you are my inspiration for my own project, ordering the steel right now!
Yeah, you're gonna love it! A rack can open up all kinds of possibilities!
That is one rad roof rack! Fantastic
T'hank you!
Good tip about the cross pieces! great video!
This rack has been a real game changer for me. Love it and use it all through every day
You know I love your work geez. Proper cool rack. Can I suggest you knock the square edges on the leg supports. I can see you taking out lumps of skin when your walking past them. Who wants blood on their cool truck?!
I think you're right about the edges -- I've bumped one already, and the rack is only a week old. Thanks!
Blood is cool -- just saying, lol!
Excelente trabajo felicidades y gracias por compartir sus conocimientos saludos
Gracias por echarle un vistazo!
Great video. You've inspired me to make one for my truck. I have a Leer 122 shell that's higher in the rear then in the front so I'll have to make some changes. Wish me luck.
It's gonna be great! I like those Leer shells you have ... very good!
Awesome video and great job. Project is beautiful and so is the video editing. Great Job!
Thanks for checking it out! Yeah, I'm really happy with the rack :)
thanks for all you do! i'm a really big fan. quality counts,
Great to hear! Thanks for checking out the video, man
Nice job, lights would be a nice addition for night time work
Lights! That was on my initial list but I somehow forgot ... gotta do that (and get more comfortable with relays)
You gave me many ideas as usual. I love the projects you post, keep it up and dont forget to give us an update on the prison bus build.
I'm eager to get back to the bus -- I was giving some friends a tour of it this evening. Take care!
@@metaspencer thanks for response and I will be waiting for the next episode!
Very nice and I going to use your construction as a sample for the one I want to make for my truck with a fiberglass cap. Now on mine I going to build the side using 2"X 1" rectangular pipes for strength instead of 1' square pipes. Excellent job Sir. From Lancaster, PA
I like your ideas! my 1"x1" side pipes do flex a bit with a heavy load, so I think you'll like your 2x1 sides. That fiberglass cap sounds great!
@@metaspencer Thanks for you quick response and keep up the good job....
Wow that was quite the project bro ! Very strong !
Thanks man!
It looks good!
thanks! use it every day
I admire your setup
Edit: that black Ford is a beauty
Thanks! Sad story: I sold that Ford ...
You should be seriously proud 👍🏻
Big thanks! Rely on it every day and still really like it
Probably going to be fine but it seems any rack just begs to be overloaded at least "just this once" in which case I would add gussets to the bed mounting flaps as 1/4" could be bent down if you hit a bump with that one time load. Nice looking job. I envy you as every time I try to get froggy and weld or cut with shorts and short sleeves I end up doing the hot step two step and undergoing a bunch of unintentional tattoos. The web tennis shoes just draw sparks down between the toes!! Been a time or ten when laying on my back doing overhead I have wished for a full foundry man's suit! Staples on the side of the rack would make ratchet strapping a bit easier on the next version.
Thanks Gina! It's great to have your encouragement and I always appreciate your ideas and suggestions.
great job brother. quality work.
Thanks for checking it out
Awesome
I'm glad to see you on the grind again. I hope you are doing well . When are you going to work on the bus again
I'm out working on the bus this week, which means I should have another video done soon ... good to hear from you!
Awesome job! I would have added a ladder.
Yep, on my list. It totally needs one
That was the coolest DIY truck rack build I have ever seen!! Great Job 👍 However, I didn't see the plan for the rack you have mention in your post?
Once again... great job!!
Sorry buddy, but I never developed the plan ... things got busy. I still use the rack daily: it's a great addition to the truck
Spencer that gantry track on the garage ceiling is awesome. Your new place is super cool. Did you consider the notion of a rooftop tent for overlanding? If you could flat tow the truck behind the bus that rig could be your trail rig.
Oh that camping idea has been on my mind! I was thinking it would be a cool way to end the video by showing us in the tent up there (would just take a sheet of plywood under the tent to make it work) ... but I thought I'd keep the focus on the rack as a work thing. Anyway: love the ideas and thanks for checking it out. ;)
@@metaspencer you're an awesome guy. Eventually when my skoolie is done and we're traveling we'll have to meet up.
that would be so, so awesome
Looks so good
big thanks!
Pretty dang awesome. I have been thinking about building one very similar to this and my question is (to anyone out there) how well will those connection brackets stand up over time and under load? I have a 3 piece tonneau cover that I want to keep on so I need the offset rack like yours to let the lid flip open and clear the rack. Thanks.
I use this rack daily loaded with 4 ladders and a miter saw stand, and it seems to be holding up well. That was my biggest concern, too, but so far the brackets seem to do the job. I guess it helps that there are 6 of them
Me thinks the prison bus needs a facelift up top now 🤔 That's some fancy engineering you got going on up there! Always an inspiration!
I know what you mean! :) Big thanks!
omg u replied i love these videos so much
for sure! just watched your intro to HTML video and left a comment. It's cool that you're coding! :)
great work
Big thanks. That rack has been a real workhorse for me
Great Build! Don't know if I'm capable of that many welds lol
Thanks! It’s been great to have
Awesome truck rack! Watch out though you were welding next to a gas can 1:26
Yeah, things get pretty wild around the shop ... no big explosions yet
@@metaspencer Well thats good haha, awesome truck rack though gave me alot of good ideas!
good job mate
Thanks bro!
That was the coolest video ever . Well done. Your an inspiration.
Wow, nice of you to say! I'm so glad you like it. As for me, I'm still loving the rack and using it every day
Did you powder coat or what covering did you go with .
I used epoxy primer but now thinking what the best option us besides powder for my top coat
Im thinking use undercoat from plasticity. Any ideas be great .thanks
Plasticote..no plasticity lol wtf
@@hanskonrad5850 I used a couple of coats of primer and then a hardener in the paint ... and I have some rust a year later. So hitting it with an intense paint job is worth it, I'd say ... I know some people use the epoxy bed coating on their truck stuff, and I may try that next
@@metaspencer that's pretty much route im taking. We see what happens
thanks for sharing your video sir
Absolutely ... thanks for checking it out
Good job!
Thanks man
metaspencer hey man your still working on the bus right?
@@Loomisrecords Oh yeah, I'm actually painting the exterior this week ... it's a slow job but I'm pretty excited about it
That is a lot of work.
The rack has been working out great, though. Thanks for checking it out
good job men
Big thanks! It has been really great day in and day out
Nice job😊
Thanks for checking it out -- it's been a great rack
Nice job sir 👍
Big thanks! It’s been great
Nice job! I would have fully triangulated the sides, that would be overkill 😂
haha ... I know what you mean! I think if I followed my heart the whole truck would have a giant cage around it :)
Graet job i need one for trnsit cargo van
Oh that would be a cool build for the van. Love the idea
its nice good job guy
Big thanks!
Nice job, it worked out really well. … JB
Thanks! Yeah it’s been great to have
I really need to learn to weld. Good looking rack! Did adding it create a lot of wind noise?
I got lucky with the wind noise: it's quiet on the highway unless it's loaded up with ladders. I've been using it daily and really like it. Welding is one of those things that seems harder to get into than it is, and it's so, so rewarding.
amazing work my friend. i would definitely pay you to make one for me. Miami, FL.
Thanks man! Yeah, nothing beats a good rack for hauling gear or whatever you've got :)
good job sir
Thanks buddy!
Nice
Thanks buddy
I just bought a pickup truck. Have been searching researching racks, trying to find the longest and strongest, price does not matter. All are rated at 1000 lbs, and I can not imagine they would even take half of that. You build your own, and I am sure it really will hold 1000 lbs. I do not intend to put 1000 lbs on my premade one, but it should handle 300 lbs, well that is my estimate. But that is fine for me as I think I will only need a few10 to 16 footer 2x12's or similar every now and then.
I really like this custom rack and use it for so many things every day. As for load, I'm always thinking that any load up there is increased with bumps and turns, so extra sturdy is well worth it. Good luck with your project!
Wow very nice wish you was local would love a idea how much would cost for me one like that. Ide like one to be set up for someone that fishes and camp. But good job sir. God bless
Yep, with a ladder up to the top you could have a good time up there fishing and camping.
sweet.
Thanks for checking it out. Using that rack daily and still loving it
Awsome you diy'ed it. Super cool. What was the cost for materials?
Steel ran about $180 (that mesh was expensive), paint was another $15, and then I guess you could toss in the cost of fasteners to get it to $200
bro.. protect the glass from weld spatter
nice rack though =]
Yeah, I screwed up one side view mirror with spatter. Ya live and ya learn
is the cab side/most forward horizontal brace the same 1" square tubing and if so, whats the highway speed wind noise like? keyboard welders and fabbers say they've stitched on angle or angled flatstock to mitigate buffeting - any thoughts/tips would be rad. also just a huge thanks and congrats on all that you are doing here, first time viewer and the scope/volume of videos you've made is impressive.
When I made this rack I wondered about possible noise, but it's quiet. I guess I got lucky! I've heard of people wrapping bungee cords and things like that to silence the noise. As for dimensions, yeah the tubing is all 1" on this one. I've since been building more out of bigger stock and like that bigger look but not the weight. Big thanks!
Have you had much trouble with wind noise? And what material did you use between the camper shell and edges of the truck bed? I'm planning on making a rack for my truck for kayaks and making it a custom fit over a camper shell like yours. I was thinking of using round steel for the cross bars to reduce wind noise. What do you think? Thanks for the great and detailed video!
I got lucky and have zero wind noise -- my plan was to wrap it if the wind did kick in. Between the camper and truck is a foam seal like what I've used on the sill plate building homes -- and seems to work okay. Sounds like you have a fun project going. If you like working with round steel go for it! Thule racks use square tubes: no noise
hey please do another vid on the prison bus i love those vids
I'm working on one now, as a matter of fact ... it involves painting the outside of the bus, which is turning out to be a BIG job! ;0 Thanks for the encouragement
The racks look nice. How many hours/days did it take you?
thanks yeah it's been a great rack. I never count hours on a project though ...
I still think you need cross bracing side to side. You have it for front to back , but not side to side. That being said you just made the pick up , ten times more useful. Kinda jealous , I have a Track Rack, but no canteliver for the front
I see your point about the side-to-side bracing -- slow around the turns with a heavy load up top! :) Thanks for checking it out. It's nice to be able to haul lonnnnng pieces
Couldnt find a factory-built like that
One thing I think I would have done was put some mesh over top of the cab
You're the second person to mention the idea of adding more mesh up front ... and I can see how that would be handy, especially when walking around up there. So it's possible that I'll follow your suggestion. Tnx for the idea! :)
@@metaspencer I was think about protecting the cab the last thing you would want is to have something poke through unless your planing on a sky light lol
haha ... good point!
Nice job . I am inspired . Was that mig welding?
Thanks man. Yeah mig
How did you cut the square tubbing for the roof of the cab support I want to build a ladder rack in the future
I've cut it several different ways but the easiest I've found is just with an angle grinder. I do have a horizontal bandsaw that does a nice job but takes a lot more setup space and time. T'he grinder with a steel cutting disc does a nice job
I like the truck rack build. I might need to do the build myself. The cost of racks is like $500+. What did that bad boy cost you?
The rack was under $500 ... about $250 with the paint ... that expanded steel (the mesh stuff) was the most expensive part. Use it every day and really like it still
@@metaspencer well sold I am going to build my own
Awsome video I have a 99k1500 with the same gemtop camper. Mine is in a lot worse shape then yours! I like how you mounted the brackets and the rack then welded the supports inplace. I've been trying to think how I would build one but couldn't put together how to get the angle of the supports just right but measuring and building it in place makes way more sense. Thanks alot.
How is the rack holding up a year later? Would you do anything different with hindsight?
And, how much does that bad boy weigh??
Lifting it by hand it felt like 150ish ... somewhere in there
Love the rack still. Better paint prep and an epoxy paint would be worth it. More mesh up top for two guys to work up there would be nice too.
@@metaspencer nice work! What would you say is the max capacity you would place on the rack? I have a similar rack, but I've extended it to the front and welded it to the front frame of the truck. Carry lots of 24' footers, and usually run about 4k lbs on it.
@@adilrao That is a great way to transfer the load to the front end. I had thought about doing that but don't load all that much weight on my rack. It can easily hold several hundred pounds, but I haven't load tested it or anything like that. The main danger with a heavily loaded rack seems to be failure when breaking or hitting something head on. Your setup sounds good!
What is the Length of your Rack? I am thinking about Building myself one for my Truck. By the way that was some nice work.
I believe it’s 12’ long ... still use it daily and may extend the expanded metal farther up for walking on. Thanks man
Squares don't provide much strength at all against racking, the triangles are a good idea. Without them, just sliding stuff up on the rack would rack it.
yeah, the triangles seem to stiffen it up a lot ... thanks for checking it out!
@@metaspencer the ancient Greeks taught us about the strength of triangles -- weird, huh?
Hi Spencer I have one question: where did you purchase the rib nut installation kit? Thanks...
The rivnuts themselves are available at many hardware stores, or you can buy them on Amazon: something like this amzn.to/2Btpi2L ... as for the installation tool it's just a bolt that fits the rivnut and a couple of nuts on there (one that spins) ... you'll find videos about here here on CZcams ... you can buy an installation tool but I just use the DIY version
Have you had any strength issues with the bed brackets sagging down over time?
no problems at all, though I often check them and wonder about that. Some gusset or stiffener might be a good idea
Hey, great video. Could you include the dimensions of the tubing?
I'll put it in the notes ... but just so you know it's all 1/8" thick tubing; the long rails are 1" x 3" and the rest is 1" x 1"
Thank you!
Put the guard back on your grinder four finger.
Dang guard broke! You're absolutely right, tho
Having had ladder racks before my only question is how much noise does it make at highway speeds and my concern is those mounts sticking out of the bed and someone not paying attention and running into them thats gonna sting worse than a trailer hitch especially a little kid getting doinked in the head
Good questions! It’s luckily quiet at 70, so that’s good. As for the mounts I’ve gotta either cut them down or put bumpers on them ... I hit one myself today. Thanks for checking it out!
@@metaspencer a piece of tubing welded onto the mounts running long ways would not only provide protection but also a place to stand when loading and a additional place to tie off, with 45* angle pieces on each end diving into the body would look kinda trick
@@phantom629 oooo, cool idea! I like the way it would do multiple things ... thanks for that
Looks great, but really heavy. Would .062 tubing work?
If you can keep your welds from burning through that’s strong stuff for most loads. Cool idea
@@metaspencer great! Thanks for the quick reply. I've been corrected, 14ga is .078 thickness. Thanks for your help
Would love to know the material cost and weight of this rack.
Well, prices have changed a lot since I made it! At the time it was just a few hundred dollars in steel ... things have changed! Weight is in the low hundreds
It is sharp edges
Yes, I should have ground them down a bit more. Good point!
Cool rig! Be careful welding next to your gas can........
Good advice! Thanks mate
Spencer, sorry if this was already asked. What was your approximate final cost on everything?
No problem! The steel ran me about $200 -- the wire mesh stuff is the expensive part there. And then paint and hardener was another $30 or so. I guess you've gotta factor in welding gas and supplies, so let's call it $250. For it, it is not just the price I like but how custom this rack is.
@@metaspencer That's not bad at all. And, you did a fantastic job Spencer. Great Work !!!
Hi Spencer, What is your side rail height from the top of the 1x3 to the top of the 1x1? Sorry if I missed that info in the vid.
I've got 5" up top there, which has been working really well for hauling multiple ladders. It did, however, make the rig too tall to fit in the garage. But what's a guy to do? haha
@@metaspencer Thanks, We're relocating from Wash DC to Ohio after this school year is over. I'm gonna build it there, I'll send pics. I'm rocking a 2000 C3500 which is still the GMT400 body style.
@@robertdennis3716 Oh excellent. You might suffer mild culture shock when getting to Ohio, but it'll all work out :)
hey man bought a new(to me) work truck and am not to buy a rack. I hate to say it but i am defiantly going to steal this config. i've been scowering the web and have found garbage. hows it holding up? im a carpenter so if im just grabbing a few sticks im not going to use one of my trailers. my concern is this the mesh is attached to the top of the rack. sometimes i deal with some pretty expensive finishes. how would you go about securing it to the underneath. i defiantly want to have that mesh area, but i definatly need to be able to slide my boards off the back. maybe a piece of angle that you almost encase it from the bottom?
My rack is going strong and I use it every day! It totally transformed my truck. Now, it does have a bit of rust that I'll have to wire off and paint, so I could have done a better job painting the first time around. As for attaching mesh, if you don't want to weld, I'd just use bolts and washers. You're gonna love what you make!
Angle iron at the back makes good sense
@@metaspencer oh no i want it to be there permentally but i just don't think having it across the top of my rack is a good idea for some of the materials i handle. but do you think essintally welding runners across the bottom of the rack and installing the mesh in there would work? along with that cross brace underneath so it has support
What thickness of metal did you use to connect to bed rail ?
Nvm I found it in the video
good stuff man
😯👏👏👏👍👍👍👌😊
What gauge steel did you use?
As I recall it was 1/4" but I would be comfortable with 1/8" for a rack like this
One question how much did the material cost$?
Prices have gone up a lot since then. I spent just a few hundred bucks on the steel but now it would likely be over $500 for a build like that. Great rack though!
Dose the frount dip at all
I built it so the front is a bit lower than the back
@@metaspencer so you have do probblem with waight on the front
The Chevy just got a Boob Job.....I meant Rack Job! It looks amazing!!
BIG RACK! haha ... good one :)
Where can I get the plans
I post my plans to Etsy, but never ended up making up a schematic for this one. Great rack tho man! I still use it every day
Heh..
'Murica - Every real man needs a pickup truck.
Finland - Every real man needs a tractor.
So true! Fortunately I have both. :)
@@metaspencer So that makes you a manly man.
I wish
Could you provide the size of the material you use please
Steel tubing on this one is 1" and 1"x3" ... other than that it's just the expanded steel. I went with 1/4" thickness but you could do 1/8"
@@metaspencer I have a van 01 chevy express 3500 I'm going to build a rack but I wanted to add something on the side to mount a metal break. Do you have any suggestions for me.?
@@jrmexi28 That sounds like a good setup. I have a recent video about mounting a rack on a bus: I used rivnuts which have a lot of holding power. I'd make a custom set of brackets to hold your break in just the right location. Sounds cool!
Bro ur a pro. Hook me up
Excellent rack, right? Oh yeah
I did cringe at welding over that fiberglass with no spark protection.
Yeah you said it: years later I've got some spatter marks
oh yeah im also a website builder i could do it for a cheap price if u ever need one email me
Very cool