headache rack for 60-66

[61K10]

anybody know of one that will fit? I can only find one for a 73 up. can anyone measure there 73 up bed stake pocket across or in side bed with. thanks in adv.

[mattbert56]

Ever thought about fabing one yourself

[special-K]

The '73 should fit. I have a ladder rack I built that is built up off of three pieces of angle that lay on top of the bedsides. I have moved it from several trucks from 60-87. I just make this stuff to fit and please my needs. It wouldn't cost too much to have one made, either.

[jeffahart]

Call ACIW http://www.aciw.net/articles/view/4
I bought one from them for my Ram a few years ago. It was great quality at a great price. I think it would be quite a bit of work to make one like these. What I really liked was the cage was square stock welded diamond wise and brake and cargo lights. I was really happy with it.

It seems like all/most of the nice headache racks are made in Texas. There are no companies in Calif that make them, and we only have one bumper company Reunel, and I had one of those a couple trucks ago. Headache racks are a smart safety component if you do a lot of highway driving with loose equipment in the bed.... hit something and your head is the target.

[61K10]

Thanks for the reply's guy's. I did think about building one myself.

[special-K]

One of these would be very simple to build. I built a headache rack into all my ladder racks. I've been wanting to build one for my '72 GMC but am back and forth about swapping to a Fenderside bed, which would change the design. I pay a little more for expanded steel so it can be run with oblong side of diamonds horizontal. I see production racks and they all cheap out on that detail.

[61K10]

all the cheap ones are just that, and the look doesn't do much for me.

[jeffahart]

Actually you cannot make a better one for cheaper. Unless you have the jigs and buy steel in bulk and have a powder coating shop you deal with regularly. Yes cheap is cheap, Don't buy a cheap one buy a nice one; OR pick up some steel on your way home from work and build one after dinner! Hey, I like home made, but I don't kid myself that everything else is crap.

[mattbert56]

I agree with jeffahart. You get what you pay for this day and age. It's a shame. I vote build one. You get to make exactly what u want. Not what u can find and buy.

[61K10]

My buddy had one built for his big Dodge out of stainless way $$$. about 3k or 4k but had a rear support also for hauling his kayaks. I've did everything else on my tk, I guess i will make one down the road if need be.

[mattbert56]

I know I'm a bit far from ya. But I'm always open to helping. I can get a discount price threw the company I work for our. Steel Tube. Just a thought man.

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by 61K10

My buddy had one built for his big Dodge out of stainless way $$$. about 3k or 4k but had a rear support also for hauling his kayaks. I've did everything else on my tk, I guess i will make one down the road if need be.

That price is out of line... I will tell you I paid $350 for mine about 7 or 8 years ago, but cost a bundle to ship, I think about &150. It was a real nice piece for the price.

But I am buying a Hobart from Tractor Supply Co. I am going to make me a winch bumper. I'm going to get a Mile Marker Hydraulic. But I'm in no hurry. And I have some features I want so I will have fun making what I want. I paid almost $2500 for my Reunel in 2001. But it was fully loaded and painted same color as my truck. I was very happy with that monster.

[61K10]

Thanks for the offer (Matt?) I have an in up here also, and have all the tools. getting too old to keep building stuff lol. have to pull my trans back out and rebuild it. have all the bearings, just need more ambition haha. new cabinets in kitchen and adding on to my garden + just keeping up with my 2.3 ac will keep me busy. Your tk is looking good by the way!

Jeff?-------I had a 69 3/4t (not a 4x4) that i drove for 17yrs. Loved that tk. Have fun making your stuff, as i do myself. Had fun building many things over the yrs. take care and thanks for the input.