cooler rack.

jato1229 · #1 03-08-2009, 07:36 PM

guys i saw in 1 of the other post that they use the area that the front tow hooks r at to mount cooler racks for chevys. i have a 2008 avalanch and having that problem cause the front of the truck is low. does some1 make the mounting kit 2 replace the tow hooks or does it have 2 be custum made?

Wildbob · #2 03-08-2009, 08:18 PM

Custom made, but with readily available parts. 2 square female receivers go where the tow hooks were and the males get bracketed to the rack. Once it is lined up, drill a threaded hole through both and bolt it on with an automotive quality bolt on each side.

Jess · #3 03-08-2009, 09:04 PM

There isn't anything that I have seen off the self ready to go for a front cooler rack.
Some fabrication is required like Bob said.

jato1229 · #4 03-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbob

Custom made, but with readily available parts. 2 square female receivers go where the tow hooks were and the males get bracketed to the rack. Once it is lined up, drill a threaded hole through both and bolt it on with an automotive quality bolt on each side.

do i bolt the females where the tow hooks r bolted?

Wildbob · #5 03-09-2009, 09:24 PM

Yes, provided you have enough depth to mount the male and have it stable. Otherwise you can weld it. You want to be able to slide it in far enough so it doesn't bounce erratically. A little flex is OK. You might have to use shims to make it the receivers level.

Wildbob · #6 03-10-2009, 08:07 AM

I should get a little more specific on this. Those receivers should be able to support 150 lbs while extended out. There's the weight of the rack, cooler, ice, bait and, presumably, your hefty catch of the day. I use a one - and - a - half rule for adequate support. If the female bolted to the frame is, for ex., 2 feet long, the male part that goes in should be 1 foot plus 1". Anything less is structurally unsafe.

FishinHardWater · #7 05-18-2009, 05:59 PM

is $150 a good price for a used aluminum 6 rod up and 2 rod angled 94 qt cooler rack? i guess it would be brushed not polished.. (not the bright one)

Jess · #8 05-18-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishinHardWater

is $150 a good price for a used aluminum 6 rod up and 2 rod angled 94 qt cooler rack? i guess it would be brushed not polished.. (not the bright one)

As long as it's in good shape then yes.

FishinHardWater · #9 05-18-2009, 08:50 PM

cool! i got it and cleaned it and i think it might be polished and bright

after i mount it, i am thinking about cutting the tubes a few inches, it depends on where the butts of the rods sit. the rack i have on now is perfect height, it holds 11 footers @ 12 feet in the air and still keeps the butts 1 foot above the ground. ill have to make this one do the same after i mount it. or maybe since its sticking out farther from the front tires, that it will require more clearence from the ground because of inclines??? i might just have to put the long rods closest to the truck so theres no problems

the tubes closest to the truck are 30" tall

Joe · #10 05-19-2009, 08:42 AM

looks like a good deal....

FishinHardWater · #11 05-19-2009, 10:57 AM

oh yea and it has a detachable cutting board too. i am still debating where im gonna mount it. im thinking about removing my tow hooks and putting the receivers there, with drop downs so its a little lower. or maybe put it where the frame ends and drill holes with a hole saw through the plastic bumper. how far is too far out from the front wheels to the front of the rack on a ranger pickup without bottoming the rack out on inclines or dips in driveways to the road and inclines on the beach? thanks

passiton · #12 05-19-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Laniewski

looks like a good deal....

Yes, it certianly does. You'll enjoy the use of that. You could have it mounted profesionally if you're not sure about the process yourself.

Joe: your rack is used regularly and with many, many people.

40 special kids will be cutting bait on that board next week.

042801 · #13 05-19-2009, 09:06 PM

I had to run out to my garage to make sure that wasn't my rack

. So far mine has been on 3 different Toyotas, and now resides on a F-250. I had the receiver pipes welded to the tow hooks. This way if I ever need the hooks to be used, they are there. BTW, you got a great deal. Good Luck, Joe.

Joe · #14 05-20-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passiton

Yes, it certainly does. You'll enjoy the use of that. You could have it mounted professionally if you're not sure about the process yourself.

Joe: your rack is used regularly and with many, many people.

40 special kids will be cutting bait on that board next week.

Glad its getting use, with the new vehicle it would have just sat around.