2nd Gen Bed Rack Project

Hello fellow Taco owners,
Had this idea for a while for a homemade bed rack for my 07. Looking at 3 cross bars with a cross at the top. Also going to put rod holders with locks at the end to store them.

I’ll be posting photos as I progress in the build. Just made the first step by selling my trifold bed cover and looking to buy materials this week.

 

Steel or aluminum?

 

I’m thinking aluminum

 

Looking into Rotopax to convert into a tackle box. I like the idea of it all being on the rack. The whole point of it is to hold al of my fishing gear, rods, tools etc.. Does anyone know where to find a good deal on the Rotopax or a cheaper spin off of them or even any other ideas. Their storage box is 60 dollars on Amazon.

 

Finally getting started on the exciting parts of the build. Using a metal bender to make the angles up top. After that I’ll grind the rust off the pipes and then paint them black to match the truck.

 

DIY for the win

 

Still have a lot to do but got the main three poles bent and cut. Next steps is cleaning up the pipes and then adding the top pipes and L bar on the sides to mount to the bed. After that I’ll paint and start adding attachments.

 

How are you envisioning the rod holders mounted?

 

I am planning on mounting them under the rack on the bends on both sides. I’ll only run it a bit past the rack and get a collapsible rod to keep in each.

 

OK nice work, but whats with the carport . . .

 

Self quarantine net...

 

hmm bet that works well.

 

It’s a batting cage tunnel. I’m a senior right now in high school and on the baseball team. I built a cage in the driveway to hit in whenever I needed to.

 

just bustin' on ya, so as a senior ,what cha looking to be doing in life?

 

I just committed to Henderson State University in Arkadelphia to play ball and I’m going to study exercise science in hoping to become a physical therapist specializing in recovering athletes.

 

an underrated and less thought of profession but one that is needed and very fulfilling, good luck.

 

Thanks

 

Update. In the process of welding them all on. About to weld bars to run across the top and then I’ll paint it all black. After that I have a rack to throw on top of that to tie it all together.

 

Cutting the last two bars now to put up front and then it will be ready to paint.