Aluminum backrack project

[capnkel]

Fishing is a bit slow right now,so i had some time to build a couple backracks,the guy that buys most of my catch just purchased a new chevy shortbox,his helper has one also,so two of these are in the works,i just finished the first one today,here are some pics as it goes from raw stock the finished product.

[capnkel]

Here are a few more.

[Garagekeeper]

I like already!
Can't wait to see it when your finished and it's on the truck.
:rolleyes: John..........

[Tileman]

Cap that sure is going to look great when you get it done. Good job.



Rich

[Pickering Snow]

Kel

That looks great know i know why you were asking me about welding the other night ill tell ya what that looks awsome cant wait to see it on the truck might me a good thing to build and maybe sell a few of course it will be nice to see it go on the same kind truck has me plus black and alum are great combo

[cat320]

It Looks great but there is one or maybe 2 things I would add to enhance it not that does not look great already .That would be adding brake/T/T signals and some led/strobe lights recessed in between the top 2 bars .I have seen some and the look good those ovel ones.

[capnkel]

Thanks guys.Yeah Fred,when i made the one on my truck i wasn't set up for doing aluminum,maybe i'll make me another one ,and sell the steel rack.The aluminum and my black truck would look great.
I was messing with my tig torch a bit yesterday,it works great,but i'm going to have to install a 200 amp service in the shop,right now i'm tapped into the house,that only has a 100 amp service,with the tig and the high frequency on for aluminum,i can only weld for about 5 minutes,and the breaker trips :headwall ,my dialarc hf calls for a 125 breaker,must be why,lol :grinz .
When i get them both done ,i'll get some more pics of them on the trucks. :shadess

[capnkel]

Rick,the main reason the 2 top bars have the space between them is to allow people to see the rear high mount brake lights the newer trucks all have,neither of the trucks these will go on plow,they're just for cab protection,looks,and something to tie things down too,which we do a lot of in the fishing business.

[cat320]

I forgot these were non plow rigs lol ,but you guys know me i'm a light nut .I have heard that it is a little harder to weld aluminum .You can never have enough tie dowm spots ,after i got my first backrack I could not belive how many times i used it and don't know what I did before i got it .Well have to take a better look at yours Kel if you can make it on the 7th of may .

[capnkel]

I love mine for carrying things,its so handy to have something solid to tie stuff to.I never had one on the old truck,but i'll never be without one again,its so handy for hauling long items to,some of the aluminum pieces were 24' long,without the rack,i don't know how you could carry them.I need to rewire my lights on my rack,i accidently took both strobes off last fall,and wired them up temporarilly,nowi know if i don't have at least 7' 9" ,NOT TO TRY IT :shadess ,Damn underground tunnel at the Fryeburg fair was only 7' ,7" :headwall ,i was lucky,it just cracked the bases,a 1" pipe flange and some tapping screws ,and there as good as new,lol. :shades

[capnkel]

Heres a couple pics of #2

[capnkel]

And a couple more pics

[capnkel]

Last one for now

[snowjoker]

Looks Good!!!! Sure wish I had a tig or spool gun........... :wah How much do ya think this project will cost? as the saying goes "quoted from SFT" Why buy it for $10 when you can build it for $20 :weld ;)

[capnkel]

With the materials,gases,welding wire,consumables and all,theres roughly $225.00 plus my time,each one has about 8 hours or so worth of work into it.I never pay for a welders services,so i have no idea what the going rates are right now,i'd guess $30.00 plus in most areas.

[Plow Dak]

Real sharp work Kelly. Nice job..
Good thing is i'll be able to see it first hand :)

[capnkel]

The racks were installed this morning,they look great on the trucks pimp

[capnkel]

A couple more shots.

[crashz]

Those look great! Great job!

[wyldman]

Very nice job !

Ever thought of making a few more to sell ?

[chipsearthworks]

Very nice job !

Ever thought of making a few more to sell ?



I would sure buy one they sure do look nice and strong.

what do you say CAP ? :cash

[dapgar]

VERY NICE racks Kel.

I love the rails down the sides. better than capping it in diamond plate and having no tie down areas. if i had a pickup with a normal bed in the back, i'd be buying one from you!

gotta love the no rust factor on those!

[capnkel]

I enjoy building things when i have the time,if someone wanted one,i could make more,allready have the plans perfected for the Ford super duty 8' box,and Chevy ,GMC 6'1/2.Pm me if you're interested in one.Thanks for the kind words guys.

[Alan]

Beautiful Work!!

[Lawngodfather]

What color are you going to paint them...HAHAHAHA

Looks good.

I would like to try welding aluminum here soon..

I tried it with a TIG back in Dec, boy was that tricky

[John DiMartino]

Excellent work Cap! The only reason i havent built one is the weight of the steel.Approx what is the weight when its all done?

[capnkel]

John,i'm guessing that they would be about 60lbs,if weight was a big concern,i think i could take another 15-20lbs of by using a 2"x3"x1/8" angle,instead of the 1/4" that these 2 have,that would put it in about the 40lb range i'd guess.I don't think that by going to the 1/8" angle it would have much of an effect of the ruggedness of it.My steel rack on my truck takes three guys to handle,a wild guess that its about 200lbs,but i built it extra rugged,i tend to overbuild,rather than underbuild ,and end up kicking myself later. :shades

[Kentucky]

Excellent work Cap! The only reason i havent built one is the weight of the steel.Approx what is the weight when its all done?

You dont have to worry about weight. Ya got a CUMMINS. :wink

[BWhite]

Real Nice ! You should start production , they would sell