Pickup trucks have become America's favorite vehicle, and increasingly people are relying on them as their daily driver. By definition, however, pickup trucks were designed to be utility vehicles. If the pickup you own is a real work truck, and you'd like to enhance its usefulness even more, you may want to consider adding some utility accessories -- like a ladder rack. Whether you're a pro contractor or a mobile do-it-yourselfer, these offer a convenient way to carry ladders as well as long, cumbersome building materials such as lumber or PVC pipe. A ladder rack is a fairly easy installation. It does require a bit of drilling and cutting, but the biggest part of the job is attaching front and rear mounting brackets that will hold the upright supports in place. The rest is just a matter of inserting the uprights and crossbars in place and adjusting to fit your needs. The best installation is one that allows the metal brackets to make direct contact with the truck for mounting, so if there is a bed liner or bed-rail protector, you'll need to measure and cut away a small section of the plastic for securing the bracket directly to the metal. Important: Since this installation involves drilling into the metal truck-bed, be certain that the locations for drilling will not result in puncturing anything underneath the metal such as fuel lines, brake lines, etc. The parts for this installation come as a kit, and there are various kits and styles available. Read and follow the directions that come with your kit. Following are the basic steps for installation. Materials: Ladder rack and mounting hardware
Electric drill
Electric cutting tool (e.g., Dremel or RotoZip style)
Socket, open-end or box wrenches
Screwdriver, slotted
Center punch
Grease pencil
Wooden paint-stir stick - Position the front mounting bracket in the front corner of the bed where it will be mounted, squaring the bracket assembly to the bed. Holding the bracket firmly against the bed-rail protector, mark its outline with a grease pencil (figure A).
- To avoid cutting into the metal or marring the painted finish beneath the plastic bed-rail protector, lift the edge of the protector and insert a wooden paint-stick underneath (figure B).
- Using an electric cutting tool such as a Dremel or RotoZip, cut away the marked section of the plastic protector (figure C).
- With the plastic section cut away and removed, hold the mounting bracket in place against the metal surface and, using the bracket-holes as a template, mark the locations for drilling (figure D). Once the locations have been marked, center-punch each to ensure a good start for the drill.
- Drill pilot holes at each location with a small (e.g., 7/32") bit.
- Go back and redrill each hole, this time using a 1/2" bit.
- To ensure a good fit, insert the front leg support into the mounting bracket and set it in place to make certain that the newly drilled holes align properly with those in the bracket.
- With the front leg-support tube in place and in contact with the floor of the bed, mark the hole that gives the best location for bolting the bottom lip of the leg-support to the floor. (If the bed of your truck is ribbed, the best location for this attachment will likely be on top surface of the floor-rib.)
- Remove the mounting bracket and drill the leg-support hole at the marked location, making certain that the hole will not puncture any brake lines, fuel lines or other critical parts beneath the bed.
- With the hole in the bed drilled, set the bracket and leg-support tube in place with the assembly squared securely. Mark the location on the leg support for drilling a hole to attach it to the mounting bracket. (Do this simply by tightening the cutting screw into the bracket far enough that it makes an impression on the side of the leg support.) Drill a pilot hole at the marked location on the support tube, then redrill with a 1/2" bit. To help guard against rust, you'll want to apply silicone sealant to the drilled hole before completing the assembly.
- Insert the blind fasteners into the 1/2" holes drilled in the bed, and use an adhesive sealant to hold them in place and guard against rust (figure E).
- The bolts in the blind fasteners function much as a molly-nut does in drywall. As you tighten the bolt, the sleeve of the fastener expands to form a secure attachment (figure F). Install and tighten the bolt, washer and lock-washer at each blind-fastener location (figure G).
- Tighten down the cutting screw that secures the support tube in place.
- With the mounting-bracket/support-tube assembly in place, you can insert the front leg in place.
- The rear bracket installs with basically the same procedures as the front. Follow the manufacturer's directions for installation.
- With the front and rear brackets and leg-supports installed, insert the leg pieces into the bracket and insert the upper extension pieces. Adjust the extension to the desired width, then tighten with the set-screw.
Keep in mind that only the brackets are permanently fixed. The legs and extensions can be removed and stored when not in use. Remember always to tie down your ladder and other cargo for safety.
RESOURCES :
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
Weather Guard Weekender truck-bed ladder rack
Weekender Ladder Rack is from
The Weather Guard division of
Knaack Manufacturing Company
420 E. Terra Cotta Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-6020
Toll free: 800-456-7865
Web site: www.weatherguard.com
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