Homemade 2x4s Wood Truck Rack - Heavy Duty

Whether it's carrying wood, a ladder, a kayak or canoe or any long piece, this wooden rack is the best. Made with four 2x4s, this rack is quick to build and will save you costly delivery at your local hardware store. Here how i made it, but before, here's à little disclaimer.
::::: DISCLAIMER :::::
I am not an engineer and i designed this wood rack for myself. There is no known safe working load for a DIY rack, especially wood rack. So the safest rule is using your judgment. I tested my rack progressively, to make sure everything was safe and nothing was moving. At the end, i was able to transport twenty 16' foot long planks easily and nothing was moving at all. Light steel truck rack have a working load of 300lb, so going under should not be a problem. Again, use your judgment, make sure you and everyone on the road is safe. Always strap your load to the truck bed box and not only to the wooden rack. Check your local law if you are allowed to build a rack for your truck and if you can built it with wood. This rack is designed to be a temporary rack. You should check the rack before each use.
Now, back to the video. :D
So i built this wooden lumber rack for myself, i was building my deck and i had no way to transport my long planks. I had some plywood leftovers so i only had to bought four 2x4s to make this rack. It's a low cost rack, but heavy duty for all yours needs. You can also build this rack for your canoe, kayak, ladder etc ..
Like you can see in the video, the plywood will help to support the load, and i'm also using 4 big GRK lag screws to connect the vertical 2x4s to horizontal ones. The way the plywood sit on the edge of the truck box, this will help spread the load. I painted the whole wooden rack to match the color of the truck and it's a light protection at the same time. This rack is made to be removable, and you should always check the 2x4 truck rack before putting any load on it.
Plumbing strap with ''S'' hook is how i make sure the rack won't go anywhere.
I made an INSTRUCTABLE, click on the following link if you want more details on how i built this rack, and i also included all measurements. Click here : www.instructab...
Thanks for watching.
Please like and share if you like!
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[@alleykatt109]

THANK YOU FOR NOT TALKING DURING THE WHOLE VIDEO!!!! I grasp these types of vids the best because I have rudimentary woodworking skills and just need an idea to blossom. Your design is SPOT ON! With the money I save on a rack I am gonna end up buying a second SUP. Man, thanks for such inspiration.

[@cresntookami]

Love this book! kzbin.infoUgkxpCNxqmAkyjN6NPx1fyB7QiEFWyO5mUWL it is simply one-of-a-kind! I really love it, because karah explained all tools required to have the job done, not mentioning the fabulous diy pallets ideas. I'm pretty sure this will be a fresh start in my new endeavour. Amazon was great, they delivered on time. Thank you!

[@dkshdw2004]

I've seen a handful of homemade wooden racks around here, but this one is the nicest one I've seen.

[@bettypittman9354]

Nice truck too ...thank you for the effort. It's people like you who take the time to upload their projects that help everyone else...that makes the world go around. We built an entire house with the help of KZbin :)

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thank you so much! I learn alot with youtube and i wanna give to the community. 😄 Thanks for taking the time to write this comment, i really appreciate this. 👍 Also, i bought this little ranger 10 years ago, v6 4x4, so far its been very useful, really love this truck 😁👌

[@bettypittman9354]

@@SEBTECHDIY Right TY... I rarely comment but I was impressed.. and I know what it takes to stop..and get things together to do what you are doing. A nice comment was the least I could do.. I see so many snarky comment on various links..as we all do.. I think if we made more efforts to appreciate things rather than whine..things would operate smoother.. ya know LOL.. We name all our plants, and vehicles.. we had a little Ranger they are great.. Have a wonderful life,...CYA.. 👉😎🌴

[@dankcoyote]

Thanks for the inspiration! Definitely gave me some insight on how to make the posts sit snug in there. About to build one myself on a Ford F150 but going to angle the posts slightly to match the profile of the cab and then run either IPE or Cedar boards horizontally down the sides. I love having a lockbox on my truck and that's an issue I'll have to overcome. Might switch out to a rigid box which shouldn't be an issue since I'll be able to load lumber on the rack now. Thanks again!

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thanks man! Yeah it was made specific for my ranger and also I could have added more mods. Overall the rack was super practical ( i say was because i sold my ranger now ). I have a 3 part foldable cover on my new truck, I think this is something it could replace your lockbox. I just put a big rubbermaid storage bin under that hard foldable cover so nothing get stolen. Also i still can put a rack on my truck with this foldable cover so it's a win win for me!

[@selador11]

I like how you already figured out that you need to sort of 'hang' any load that hangs across your tailgate... From the overhead. To avoid that load beating the heck out of the top of your tailgate!

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thank you, It does the job very well! 👍

[@armedmariner]

As a fan of homemade ladder racks I must say yours is the best one I’ve seen. Great design and workmanship. Oh and that old Ford Mazda is badass.

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thank you very much! 🙂

[@irvingramirez1071]

I daily one right now with 350 k miles ! . I wish I knew the dimensions and shapes of the reenforcers

[@Mrmghz1]

Basic principles of structure at work. Easily overlooked basic principles lol. Using plywood triangles to reinforce supports at their base and joints is a great idea. Thanks for the video

[@emmanueljoya]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@daveytrotman9681]

Started building one this evening for my ranger... I used a angle grinder to take off the 1/8 of an inch on the studs that goes to fit the holes right. Make do with whatcha got 👍 Appreciate the vid!

[@vahntalur7273]

Great job! I think for me I will square off the 2 plywood edges close to the cab to get it about 3/4 close to the rear window, make a slat style plywood headache / rear window protector. The 4 upright boards probably about 4 inches higher. Other than that, your video for diy wooden truck rack design is the tops in my book.

[@scottkaminski7114]

Best design I could find on youtube, this is the one I'm gonna try making. Thanks for the vid

[@richardarolland6659]

Very nice. Just what I was looking for plus added stabilization and strap down although I would consider a bolt through on the plumbing straps to allow for multiple remove and replace.

[@Gabriellariz]

Where there’s a will, there a way. Great job!!!

[@ronald5728]

Great design!!! Well built. A little overkill with the screws. lol. I don't think sheetrock screws are the ideal choice. Sheetrock screws have a low shear strength or sideways strength. And considering that they will be subjected to weight of the load and vibrations of the vehicle; I think after a while the screws might not be effective. I would suggest Spax screws from HD as a better choice. A little more expensive but definitely more guaranteed.

[@TheRainHarvester]

Yes. Screws can easily snap with live loads.

[@Beemgod]

I was just crip walking to the music in this video whilst planning to build my ford ranger ladder rack. Thanks Cuz ♿️

[@bcguerilla5096]

Good job! I'd probably come up with something other than a screw to hold the hook/bracket from the truck rail to the wood, maybe a small ratchet strap down to the tiedown anchors in the bed or a wingnut or something that would make it easily removable.

[@isaaccobb3214]

Fantastic build. I just built some racks just to heighten the side walls of the bed and was looking up the best way to mount a ladder. This is looking like the next build for sure. Definitely with a few coats of poly though to stand the weather

[@CalebKennizzite]

Very well done! Both the rack and non-verbal video that said so much.

[@gerrithoevers]

This is the raddest of racks ever.

[@simon8723]

Thanks I built this today for my Ranger . Great tip and much thanks for sharing!

[@SEBTECHDIY]

This is awesome, glad it helped! 😃

[@jleaalaas]

Excellent for a jon boat and a frame for a truck bed tent as well 👍

[@pr7765]

Hey man, you just saved a a lot of time and money. I came up with one way but it was going to be way more involved. Glad I found this!

[@SEBTECHDIY]

No problem 👍 glad it helped! 😃

[@rickrangel6938]

Wow that is SOLID! Great video. I just thought you looked just way too cute at @3:20 jumping up and down on the racks. I had it on rewind for 10 times. WAY TOO CUTE!!! LOL

[@twalk6164]

Good job. Making one like it for my rowboat.

[@beardskidog2556]

This why I save 2x4s! Thanks man

[@My-2-Cents]

I appreciate your work building the rack, and the informative, entertaining video.

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@christinahaddrell2110]

That truck rack is awesome. Great inspiration, thanks.

[@007Narsil007]

My only question is where did you find that much lumber that straight?

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

Grant, RIGHT!! And they're 16' 🤯

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Ahah! 😅 you must have a lot of patience when choosing your lumber. It's surprisingly complex, much check at all common lumber defects, 3 of 4 planks are not looking good. But at the end, the result is way better. Here's a quick guide i like on how to select your lumber : www.artofmanliness.com/articles/primer-on-lumber/

[@Chasingsing]

I use to work at the lumber department. You have to wait when they pull a new bundle down . Once it hits the ground and we cut the straps all the carpenters and contractors run for it . Like a mound of ants lol 🐜

[@svravenflintlock7526]

Very nice. This will be the model for my Ram's canoe rack...perfect! Thanks for sharing

[@AntonioGonzalez-dc2lm]

Man I need one this week , I'm gong to start building it tomorrow. Thanks for this very helpful video.Great job!

[@bobgereaux9138]

Great design. I will definitely build this one for my Tacoma

[@jeffgrigsby7396]

great plan.. I may try this on my Tundra to haul our canoes

[@willguardado8503]

WoW!! This is incredible. Fantastic craftsmanship!!

[@shawti77]

looks great. going to try this out for a canoe/paddle board rack!

[@dalesworld1308]

Great! Look at all the 8 or 900 dollar racks out there. This is all you need.

[@PRO100CBAPKA]

Simple and effective.

[@user-pi5lz3gs4s]

Really nice design and cool of you to tutorialize it.

[@CapCityDC]

Great DIY, you gave me ideas on how to make a front rack for my Tacoma dbl cab on top of the bed cover so I can carry a canoe. Thanks!

[@Buck1954]

Excellent Design!

[@terry8912]

Nice design; excellent video, very to the point and helpful.

[@petropete3122]

Nicely well built. Looks strong as well. Tks for sharing 🫡

[@bovver6092]

Genius! Now I have to check and see if my 2000 Nissan Frontier has those square holes underneath the plastic liner.

[@richardcosta9014]

THE BEST YET ILL BE DOING ONE

[@hillcountrygarage]

Nicely done, sir, nice indeed.

[@someonespadre]

I'm building a lumber rack for my F150. Mine will sit in the bed. Not intending to leave it in there all the time. Strap it down when I'm using it. I'm using 2x4s a contractor friend gave me. They were a temporary wall in a house, didn't need them anymore, gave them to me.

[@edymoss3466]

Great idea and really cheap to build great idea and project Thanks for sharing vid and idea

[@miguel-ib9lg8kt3h]

Best video I've seen on youtube lately!...great work! 👍

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Great build! I would make some removable feet for the two 'frames' and you can use them as saw horses when they are not on the truck 😉 (or with the rails to make a workbench)

[@SEBTECHDIY]

That's smart, now you gave me ideas! I was going to store them in my shed but they could be more useful!! 👍😄

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Thanks Mate, I was thinking how great this build is and you can store it away when not needed, so I was thinking you need a bracket to store it up on a wall, then I thought feet 👍 😊

[@brynearson]

Nice idea!! ☺️

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Thanks Ben, Nice avatar you should check out a couple of my projects 😉

[@CapCityDC]

@@SEBTECHDIY With stable feet could even use them as low level scaffolding.

[@Rclossjr]

Thank you for the video. Followed you to make one for my Chevy pickup. Looks and works good.

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Glad it helped 👍 The rack is super heavy duty, maybe too much for my ranger. I busted both rear shocks on my ranger, the rack could take the load but not the truck lol. I still have the rack on the truck, really useful when i carry long lumbers or my ladder. 👍

[@Bradmobile0157]

I like it, looks great!

[@bluegill2030]

I bought all the materials for this today. Going to start building it in the next few days

[@groundskeeper5292]

Looks nice and sturdy. Good straightforward video. Thanks

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thank you! 👍 Oh yes, sturdy and cheap to make. And it's not looking too bad for a wooden rack! 😏

[@marcuskerstein3951]

That's a serious rack! Good work.

[@tokay999]

Super solid, super clean 😎

[@MyRcGoSlow]

Looks great

[@rsidhu8017]

Genius solutions

[@scottkailey1]

Looks good.

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

Really clever! Big project coming up 🤞🏻

[@DanielMendoza-x3m]

Good work

[@Chasingsing]

Credit for this . I’ll video me building one and moding it out . I’ll give you the credit for the rack . I’ll send you the link once finshed . Thanks

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Go for it! I wanna see it. This rack has been so useful for me in the last year i can't belive how many delivery fee i saved. And other than that is just easier to grab some lumber at the hardware store , just put it on the rack and strap directly to it! I love it. To make it last longer, i should add some thin aluminium fascia over the horizontal 2x4 beams so when i move material, it won't remove the paint on my 2x4's and will also protect against the rain or snow. It was supposed to be a temporary rack when i was building my deck and i decided to keep it on the truck lol.

[@AaronGoSoFast]

Look at how straight and clean those 2x4s are. Must be nice. All mine are warped and have knot holes and shit.

[@SEBTECHDIY]

I know the struggle, you need to dig through like 100 2x4 to find 5-10 goods lol! The lumber yard here have "premium" 2x4, comparer to grade 2 or better than other stores haves around, it really help but still they are hard to find. And when you got them, start your project ASAP or they will warp over night!

[@Spennyman10]

Dude that's awesome. Very practical.

[@blackmacgyver9965]

Cool design and easy to remove 👍🏽👍🏽

[@franciscojavierestrada7585]

That looks great

[@stevem8128]

Very nice job

[@wn7281]

Thanks a lot for your video. I will very well build one on my GMC pickup with the same setup as you. .

[@elguapo3527]

Very nice design. Looks great too.

[@davidr.massey419]

This guy doesn't claim to be an engineer, but he is inventive enough to build this temporary kind. Have mucho experience with home made pickup truck racks. After using straight as a rule 20 foot 4 x4's of Brazilian Ipe`(they are machined 3 & 3/8ths. in Barazil b/4 ever hitting the states) anchored to bed and sides via cool fasteners. Driving to work each day on the first highway in the USA--(Davison in Detroit ) the bumps did there damage and ripped loose of the sheet metal. I then went to Rexroth Bosch Aluminum Framing System using a socket wrench on everything. Bought nylon 2x2" angle for top of the bed, then bought 1"x1&1/2" six foot Aluminum bar stock to be drilled my frame under the whole flat 2" wide truck sheet metal sides. The sandwich hookup of bar stock then truck bed ridge sheet metal--then 1/8" thick 2"x2" nylon-- then the Rexroth Bosch frame made my 55" wide x 11 feet long rack bulletproof--never coming apart.

[@chrystelpoirier5740]

Amazing and practical nice job 😃

[@berduoa]

Thanks for the bird!!!

[@pnowikow]

Nice design.

[@marshalmitherz3352]

Nice strappin

[@deviousmonkey8516]

I am so glad I saw this, thanks...

[@recyclespinning9839]

Great build , maybe a cantilever to protect your truck top ? You get bounces you may get dent ..

[@user-ut9nb8rw1o]

awesome job!

[@frankbullitt4556]

nice work

[@hfarms5779]

Well done. And it works.

[@oby-1607]

Felt like I should have been pilate dancing to the music.

[@chis7788]

Thank you very nice vdo from thailand

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thank you Cris!

[@gregblackburn4280]

Very nice. May copy idea this spring.

[@patrickzadd5215]

very clever!

[@EcabreraEnni]

Exelente Ideas para mi camioneta

[@georgealmeida7382]

kinda cool but still glad Im a pro welder

[@SEBTECHDIY]

That's a skill I want to learn, so useful and stronger builds! 🦾

[@dhache1195]

Bien conçu et bien réalisé ;-)

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Merci bcp!! 😄👍

[@erikandersen4811]

I’m going to borrow parts of this design. Just going to do it with 3/16 metal instead because I transport a bunch of steel for my projects. 👍

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Sure, would be really nice with metal! I need to learn how to weld! Share some pics of your project when it's done! 👊

[@arthilliker3721]

NICE JOB !! Looks good and strong too !

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Thanks 👍 It is, much stronger than the shocks on my pickup lol

[@arthilliker3721]

@@SEBTECHDIY, Just made mine and hauled 20 2x6x16 from Lowes !! My little S10 was DEFINATELY overloaded (WET lumber) but she handled it just fine !! LOL !! I had to modify it for my S10 because there are no holes for the uprights. Worked out great though !!

[@DJUwU]

Now I know why there isn't any arrow straight lumber pieces left when I go....you took them all! JK great diy video!

[@SEBTECHDIY]

haha yeah it is really hard to find! You need to go through 50 2x4 to get 5 straight. 🤣🤣

[@arnoldhoward2076]

You did a beautiful job.

[@johnanonanonanon3567]

Well built, except you NEED to protect your windshield when on construction site loaded. Cavities on the ground equal bouncing load on the roof.

[@chendorodriguez650]

Great idea for going to get material. But i wouldnt leave those on everyday, atleast not without putting an enamel on it. They will swell even with paint + primer. Maybe flex seal atleast

[@mikeangelastro7648]

Nice work🇺🇸

[@ScientistPrepper]

This is an awesome video. Made me laugh!! I need the 16ft rack so thank you very much.

[@SEBTECHDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😆

[@lukek3953]

OMG. Thanks for the great video. I also have a ranger so it's perfect for my pickup. :D

[@maymow7077]

This is freakin awesome!

[@rickcimino5483]

Two questions.....one, why did you make the stubs that go into the pockets of the sides of the truck smaller than the pockets? Two, why use (what looked like) sheetrock screws to screw through the plumber's tape that hold the assembly to the truck? Pretty cool either way, just curious

[@davidbell9143]

I like it! It definitely works.

[@rascul3]

Looks good. I might build one soon. How well has it held up?

[@d4v3y16]

Good build man 👍

[@nigelgatone353]

Hey great idea man. Will be using this.

[@bizzieone2]

Brilliant! 🤯