Now that I got my Ranger all squared away for winter, I decided on concentrating my thinking on summer time things we will be doing with the truck.
One thing my wife and I enjoy is bicycle riding.
We own 2 electric bikes and usually hit the bike trails in the summer.
Unfortunately, the bike trails are over 10 miles from our house so having the Ranger to transport our bikes will be key to hitting our favorite trails.
Having a safe way to load our bikes into the bed, and being ultra stable was the thought.
I've seen bike racks for more than $100 and thought I could built one for less than that.
Being our e-bikes are uniquely beefer than a regular bike, I could design the rack to "my" specifications.

I choose schedule 40 pvc 1/2" pipe, easy to cut, glue, paint and drill.

Top part of the rack in cut, design and assemble phase...





I cut out all the tubing in equal parts and test fitted all the parts...





Ready to glue all up...



In the bed as a test fit...perfect!



the rack can also lay down in the bed with the tonneau cover on when not in use.



I still have to glue all the connections, paint the tubing black, and then add 1/2" pipe insulation to the bars that will be touching the front wheels and fork.
Should look and function great once completed. It's a work in progress.
As far as securing the rack to the bed, I'm thinking of mounting some padeyes in the bed or clamping the rack to the bed sides with a locking bar...stay tuned to see the glueing, painting, and padding installation.

here are our E-bikes I am planning to haul ....





Next up, tear down, glue, paint, etc.
So far, I spent $22 on glue, pipe, and fittings.

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2008 Ranger XLT 4X4 V6 4.0 Torch Red
Bought September 29, 2011 mileage 13,800 2nd owner

Mods:
Retractable Truck Stake Pocket Anchors...installed 10-5-11, AVS Window Vent Visors, 10-6-11,Tonneau Cover, 10-15-11, Alarm/remote start and locks, 10-25-11, Bed Lights 11-13-11, front mud flaps 11-20-11, deer whistles 11-25-11, brake lite Ford emblem 12-7-11

cool project...looks like its gonna work out great

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Build Thread
2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 4X2 "Stormtrooper"
Mods: Black window shields, Black bug shield, UWS Low-Profile Toolbox, Air Box Mod w/ K&N Drop-in, Blinker Mod, Throttle Cable Mod, Clear corners, OHC, DDM Tuning 35W 6000k HID headlights and fog lights, LED lights, Tow Hooks, 31" BFG KOs, Prekeys w/ Tbar crank
Plans for the Future: new wheels, dual split rear exhaust system

i just throw my bike in the bed

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I bet your bike isn't worth over $2,000!
I just want to preserve them, yet use them too!
We actually got the bikes after a hailstorm insurance claim came in for a few vehicles we owned back in 2000.
So, have 2 free electric bikes is cool enough for me to wanna keep them forever!

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2008 Ranger XLT 4X4 V6 4.0 Torch Red
Bought September 29, 2011 mileage 13,800 2nd owner

Mods:
Retractable Truck Stake Pocket Anchors...installed 10-5-11, AVS Window Vent Visors, 10-6-11,Tonneau Cover, 10-15-11, Alarm/remote start and locks, 10-25-11, Bed Lights 11-13-11, front mud flaps 11-20-11, deer whistles 11-25-11, brake lite Ford emblem 12-7-11

i haul mine over the tailgate, works great

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can i see pics of these bikes, those are some huge tire gaps!

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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts