hey folks so ive got a backrack with five 6" lights on it, but in the summer I used to put my kayak in the back and lean it on the rack.
was looking for some ideas to make them fold forward or back, on some hinges and pins to lock it in place so the kayak can rest there.
but just putting hinges under wont work.. wont clear the BR posts...
think this is what ill do, ...excuse the terrible ms paint photoshop! the green centre will rotate between the rack posts, maybe it'll go in like the tailgate is held on? (tube over tube then half tube on the other side) naaam sayin? then it comes off quick. held with pins, the bar should be strong enough to strap a kayak to?

if anyones got opinions or sees serious design flaws, or just a better idea... haha dont be shy

but i think this will work, should be fairly simple to fab as well.

 

Have you considered looking into LED light bars? They might be low profile enough to mount on your backrack without interfering when you transport your kayak. You could install the bar ontop of the rack, then fab a tube to to go over the lights and protect them while still giving you a place to rest the kayak.

You'll have enough light when you go offroad, and you could still carry a kayak without the lights being in the way and without having to remove them.

 

ya thats a pretty good point, led is pricy though... and ive got 5 daylighters already.
dont know if the light from led would clear the cab being mounted so low, its a 4dr

 

Do the lights need to be mounted over the cab? if not, then you could install your existing lights on the front of the truck. You might not be able to get all 6 lights on the front of the truck, but you could make up the lack of lightning by installing a HID setup in your headlights, if it's legal where you live.

Staying with the original idea, you could weld some square tubing to the outsides of the uprights on the back rack to form the mounts for the light bar. Use smaller diameter square tubing that fits inside the mounting tubes, and go across the top of the back rack. Install your lights on the crossbar and wire them into your truck's switch and power source, but install an all weather connector that will allow you to remove the rack easily. Finally, drill a hole through the mount and bar that will allow you to install a bolt on each side and keep the bar in place when its in use... and to prevent theft.