Updates since first version of this Page

Kert, I went and measured and tried to draw the measurements on to a picture of the truck. The basics are that:

1.) The distance (center to center) of the two horizontal cross bars on the swing out is 9.75 inches. see picture.

2.) The "platform rack" should sit 12 inches above the center of the top horizontal tube. See picture.

3.) I think the platform should be 20" x 20". This is with the edge of the platform aligned with the rearmost (furthest from the tailgate) edge of the fuel can holder. Also aligning the edge closest to the spare tire roughly with the edge of the fuel carrier closest to the spare tire as well. There will probably need to be a little bit of overhang on that side, to mount it? I just don't want to get too close to the spare tire, because some day I might need to put a 38 or so on there.

Rear Bumper ideas

First, let's take a quick look at the bumper as it stands today. The following 4 pictures illustrate what the bumper looks like today.

Here's the carrier with no cans in it..

OK, so the state of California doesn't like those Metal gas cans so much any more, and I'd like to use some CARB approved Scepter or Blitz type cans.

I have tried several types, and they are all too wide to fit two cans in the existing rack. Additionally, I find myself only really needing one spare fuel can, and I'd prefer to have a spare water can (jug) on there as well.

Additionally, I have found that I frequently have a hard time finding a good place to store it inside the truck (dirty, bugs) and I don't have a good spot outside!

So I'd like to have you (Kert) build me a new piece to weld on the the existing tube that does all of the following:

1.) I'd like a new, slighly wider rack, to hold two plastic gas/water cans. I will provide the cans/jugs (have them shipped directly to you)

2.) I currently use a cable to lock the cans, which I don't really like. I would like some sort of a lockable bar to hold the jugs in place built into the holder.

3.) I would like a detachable expanded steel deck type carrier to go on TOP of the fuel cans. I worry about rear visibility, so I'd like something like the following picture, with the "deck" just a couple inches above the top of the cans. The one shown below is WAY too wide. I imagine something similar, but roughly the same "footprint" as the top of the cans... Maybe slighlty larger.

Ideally I'd like something that can bolt on to the fuel can carrier (add 4 tabs on the carrier, and 4 matching tabs on the "rack" and then I can just put bolts through them. Or better yet, add studs to the bottom of the "rack" and then I could slide those down into 4 holes on the sides of the cans and then put nuts on to secure things.

I'd also like the rack itself (which can be pretty low profile) to have 6 tabs (two on each side, and one front and one back) for me to run tie downs to the rack.

Here's a couple SUPER cheesy drawings I did to try to illustrate what I am talking about:

I'd love to discuss this on the phone after you get a chance to look things over. You do phenomenal work, and as always, I am happy to pay in advance in full. My timeframe for this would be to have to completed in early July. I am planning a two week trip from California through Yellowstone and Banff Canada leaving the third week of July, and I'd need to have this in time to get it welded on, and painted up, etc.

I look forward to speaking with you! -Dan