Ladder rack... how do you solve for the slanted bed rails?

[curtis73]

Trying to install a ladder rack on my 94 B4000. Nightmare. The uprights are fixed so when I bolt them down they splay out. I tried drilling the sides and bolting into the stake pocket as well, but the bottom line is, the top section of the plate isn't flat on the bedrail so it's wobbly. The baseplate flexes and lets things wobble.

I need a solution; a shim, tapered wedge, or some other idea to fill that gap.

 

[97RangerXLT]

The best way that I can see to mount it is to create a spacer that is the same size as the legs and mounting surface of the ladder rack but tapered to match the bed side rail angle on the bottom to give a true level mounting space for the rack. if you are good with fabbing, you can probably make some yourself, or you might get a local welding/ machine shop to create some for you. probably wouldn't be that much, maybe 100 bucks for 4 of them.

AJ

 

[Ranger850]

Looks to me that's about a 12* angle. Maybe some wood, cut at about that angle to level it out. Don't know how long that it would hold up to the weight over time.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Looks to me that's about a 12* angle. Maybe some wood, cut at about that angle to level it out. Don't know how long that it would hold up to the weight over time.

the wood wouldn't hold up well, but that is an excellent idea for making a template to create the permanent metal ones.

AJ

 

[Ranger850]

#TEAMWORK

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Find or make a metal piece that will drop into the stake pocket snugly. Weld a plate to the top. Bolt ladder rack or weld it to the plate.

One time I was helping a buddy out of the ditch. We both do siding so have ladder racks. Mine were built so they drop into the stake pockets. I didn't know his were just screwed to the top of the bed rail. Guess where I hooked the tow strap?..... I've used my ladder rack as a tow point before.... what can go wrong....






His came off.

 

[Dirtman]

I had the same issue when I installed mine. The solution was.... ignore it. When everything is tightened down it doesn't move. Ive had mine installed for a year now and have hauled all sorts of stuff on it and it's still rock solid.

 

[curtis73]

I did try just tightening it down as-is and wasn't happy. Something about this particular design (because of the removable rear bar maybe).

The solution was to take some 1/8" thick steel bar and weld it to the outside bottom of the mounting plate. I also drilled the vertical part of the mounting plate and drilled into the stake pocket. Then I welded a 3/8" bolt to another piece of steel to poke out through that hole.

Very happy now.