Westcan Headache Racks & Cab Guards
An aluminum headache rack, or cab guard in Westcan's catalogue, mounts behind the cab of a pickup and stops a load coming through the rear window under hard braking. Westcan has built these in British Columbia since 2001, and this collection holds the full line: standard, full mesh, half mesh, side mesh, full bar and light-mount racks, LED-lit versions, vehicle-specific install kits and rack extenders. Every rack mounts through the truck's existing stake pockets with no drilling, and fitment is published for the Silverado and Sierra, F-150, Super Duty, Ranger and Maverick, Ram, Tundra, Tacoma, Titan, Frontier, Colorado and Canyon. Part of the Westcan catalogue.
Aluminum headache racks that mount without drilling
Most headache racks on the market are powder-coated steel. Westcan builds in aluminum, and the difference shows up in three places on a work truck. Weight: an aluminum rack leaves more of the payload rating for the load. Corrosion: aluminum does not rust, so a stone chip on a prairie highway does not become a streak by spring. Hardware: the racks ship with non-corrosive and stainless fasteners.
The mount is the other reason to buy one. Westcan cab guards fit through the factory stake pockets, so nothing is drilled into the box, the finish stays intact, and the rack comes off cleanly at lease end. Most racks install in under an hour, and nearly every product page lists an estimated install time.
Shop headache racks by style
Standard cab guards
An open frame behind the cab, the lightest option and the usual starting point for a full truck rack. Listed for the F-150, Titan, Super Duty, Tundra, Silverado and Sierra, and the mid-size Colorado, Canyon, Ranger and Maverick.
Full mesh, half mesh and side mesh
Mesh across the whole opening for maximum window protection when you carry loose material, or across part of it to keep rear visibility. Full mesh racks are listed for the Super Duty, Silverado and Sierra, and the Nissan Frontier.
Full bar cab guards
Horizontal bars instead of mesh, giving protection with a more open sightline. Available for the Super Duty and for the 2004 to 2012 Colorado, Canyon and Dakota.
Light mount cab guards
A frame built to carry work lights or a beacon, for the Super Duty and for the Colorado, Canyon and 2019 and newer Ranger.
LED cab guards
Standard, full mesh and full bar racks with integrated LED lighting, in black powder coat, such as the full mesh LED rack for the 1999 to 2025 Silverado and Sierra.
Install kits and extenders
Install kits are vehicle-specific and sold separately, because the same rack fits several trucks with different kits; the fitment table on each rack names the kit it needs.
Shop by vehicle
- Ford F-150 (2004 and newer), Super Duty (1999 and newer), Ranger (1994 and newer) and Maverick (2022 and newer)
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Colorado
- GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Canyon
- Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500, and the Dakota
- Toyota Tundra (2007 and newer) and Tacoma
- Nissan Titan and Frontier (2005 and newer)
Why Westcan headache racks
- No drilling. The rack mounts through the factory stake pockets, so the box is never punctured and the rack is removable.
- Aluminum, in two finishes. Mill-finish racks have no coating to chip; black powder coat is offered on most models where you want the look.
- Grows into a system. Add rail caps and a rear rack and the cab guard becomes a full-length rack for ladders, pipe and lumber.
- Published install times. Nearly every rack and kit lists Westcan's estimated install time, so a shop can quote the labour up front.
Choosing the right headache rack
Start with the truck: model year, cab and box length, because the install kit is chosen on those. Then decide how much of the rear window you want covered. Full mesh if you carry gravel, brush or loose tools; full bar or half mesh if you back up by looking through the window; light mount if the rack needs to carry a beacon. A cab guard on its own uses one mounting point, so if you are not adding rail caps, order the secondary hold down kit that gives it a second anchor.
If you would rather compare against a steel rack, the BackRack line covers the same trucks. If you are not sure what fits, contact us with your year, make, model and configuration.
Common questions
What is a headache rack?
A headache rack is a barrier mounted behind the cab of a pickup. It shields the rear window and the cab occupants from cargo shifting forward under hard braking, and gives you somewhere to mount lights or a load. Westcan calls the same product a cab guard.
Do I need to drill my truck?
No. Westcan racks use the existing stake pockets, so nothing is drilled and the rack removes cleanly.
Is an aluminum headache rack strong enough?
Yes for the job it does, which is stopping a shifting load and carrying lights or a rack load. Aluminum gives up some stiffness to steel for the same section, and in return the rack is lighter and will not rust.
Will it fit my truck?
Every product page carries a fitment table listing the exact makes, models, box lengths and model years the rack fits, and names the install kit it needs. If your configuration is not listed, contact us before ordering.