Steps for pickup bed access

[tallyho8]

The reason they call it a headache rack in this area is because you are always hitting your head on it while getting into or out of the bed.

 

[turnkey4099]

I race off road motorcycles and have to load bikes into the bed of my truck. I got a great deal on a stock height F350 with the diesel engine for towing tractors and the RV. Some bozo at Ford decided that the bed height of that pickup should be about 36". Way too high. The bed rails are about chin high so there is no way to even rech into the bed level from outside of the truck.

Loading bikes has become an ordeal. Lowering the truck is actually possible and the first 3-5 inches are very easy. That's how I plan to deal with it.

In the meantime I just climb into the bed like every other american truck owner. I have gotten into the habit of strapping gear against the tailgate though so that I can get to it without climbing into the bed.

Ya jes gots ta unnerstan. They are made that high for ground clearance. Never mind that it doesn't matter high they mount the cab/bed, the clearance is set by the differntial/tranny and sometimes the tie rods. Absolutely rediculous to see some jacked up rig on the highway that won't clear any more ground than my stock 89 F150 2x.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

I have the same understanding of the meaning of the terms as Highbeam.

As I understand the origin, a headache rack prevents your cargo from coming forward and hitting you in the head.

My lumber rack does not have a headache rack as part of it, but it is just the right size for a 4' x 4' piece of plywood to fit into it and act as a temporary headache rack. This is not by accident, but is part of good design.

Same here except my racks are just 'wood hauling' ones - cab high. The front portion acts as the 'headache rack'

Harry K

 

[Duffster]

The Ford bed isn't really any higher than the new Chevy.

 

[archerm3]

The Ford bed isn't really any higher than the new Chevy.

Yep, they're both about 2-3' higher than they need to be. But they do look meaner on the street so that you can intimidate other drivers, being so tall. Also a good excuse to offer huge engines in them to slug that huge frontal surface area through the air.

 

[Duffster]

Yep, they're both about 2-3' higher than they need to be. But they do look meaner on the street so that you can intimidate other drivers, being so tall. Also a good excuse to offer huge engines in them to slug that huge frontal surface area through the air.

Sure because 0-6" off the ground would work so much better.

 

[DanD78]

My Ford F-350 is 57" to the top of the bed rail. No lift kit just stock. On my past trucks the bumper was just the right height to make the step up in to the bed. This darn thin is almost waste high to the tail gate. I had seen this kind of step on flat bed trucks but didn't know how to make it work. My wife came up with this idea and I built it the same evening. It works great for me.
I had to move the axles under the springs of my fifth wheel camper to make it run level.

I have a buddy with a Dodge DRW and it is taller than my ford by a couple of inches.

I am working on a copy right of the design at this time.

Dan D.

 

[texasjohn]

I have a 97 F350 dually crew cab... needed running boards.... went to craig's list... discovered that running boards are for sale in this area from time to time....looked at several.... learned that you kinda gotta stick to same brand installations (Ford for example), and then some models work for a series of years... important to know the year series.

Ultimately on Craig's List, I got a set of full length running boards for the year model I have, for a crew cab dually... even in the right shade of blue... for $35...and about 3 miles from the house HAPPPEEEE

Also discovered that there are steps that fit into the receiver hitch, or on the tailgate.

 

[tallyho8]

The tailgate latch on my Ford pick up is about shoulder height and then you have to pull up on it to open it. They are always much harder to open as they age and I have to stand on the bumper to pull the latch up. If it was made to pull down it would be much easier.

 

[archerm3]

Sure because 0-6" off the ground would work so much better.

Check your math.

See the post after yours.

But yes, 0" off of the ground would actually work out quite well, 'twer possible.