Help stock, build the OSTS truck.

Now this worked for me on my little Suzuki Samurai, however it may be a possibility for you. I had a welder build a mount for my winch that mated directly into my reese hitch, I had a reece hitch mounted front and back, that way I could take the winch off and put it on the back if needed (which more often then not it was easier to winch backward than forward) If you could get a strong enough mount set up for a truck that size it may be something to think about.


I see that Jay T already mentioned this, I'mma tarded.
 
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Darren if you are considering a winch, consider a reciever mount, something that can be a rear or front winch. The easiest way out of a suck hole is back the way you came. That mud hole in front may lead to a swamp and pulling yourself forward may get you into more trouble than you want. That 5km walk through a slew back to a guy with a tractor to haul you out can be a ##### in -15. Don't ask how I know that!

For traction stuff, a few sandbags double as weight in the winter and traction aid in the snow and ice. Bumper jacks are great but remember they are called widow makers for a reason!

oh one thing I didn't see that I never leave home without is one of those candle lanterns. I was shocked at how much heat a single candle lantern gave off in a crewcab truck.

Reciever mount winches have their place, but it's not offroad. With propper rigging (extra straps, tree savers, snatch blocks) you can recover yourself backwards with a front winch. You could always put a winch on front and back though
 
I think it would depend on the job the winch had to do, I doubt they are taking that truck into the shiz to badly, so maybe a reciever mount would be plenty to get them out of the kind of jams they would find themselves in... snowbanks and washouts things like that.
 
Oh, just remembered solar panels. I figure it could be extremely handy to have a solar panel trickle-charging a battery pack or two, so that you could top up your devices without needing to drain your truck battery or have the vehicle running.
Also, if you could buy one of those Earl tablets and demo it for me that would be super ;)

Good call. If you ever get stuck, you'll be able to keep busy while the Mexican pushes :)
 
You can't go wrong with a kukri of some kind. I know you say you have blades and tomahawks allready but when you hold a kukri you feel like nothing can come in your way, not even a 1200 pound grizzly.
ht tp://www.thekhukurihouse.com/
 
$170 on Amazon

I have one of the Motomaster Nautilus's that I've actually used multiple times on a few vehicles as well as for emergency lighting, boiling kettles, charging electronics.

Any of these systems I highly recommend if there is room in a persons vehicle.

Good call.

a decent first aid kit

Have a couple, from general purpose to tourniquets/quick clot/gauze etc.

And if you're wanting to have extra fuel, buy one of those tool boxes/slip tank sets and you're killing two birds with one stone.

I'll have to look at those, good call.

I didn't see that I never leave home without is one of those candle lanterns.

Got one of the singles. We sell them in the store and I love them!!

Also, a cheap thing I like that I got from princess auto a while ago was a flood light on a magnetic base (plugs into lighter outlet). Great for working on stuff/fixing stuff in the dark or as general purpose lighting for camping.

Got a few lights, so not sure I could add another or replace one I have.

How about a 6" lift and some 34's safe to stay around there so you avoid any other work to do to it.

It's up a couple inches with 35's so I think I'm going to stay that way for awhile. (possibly :D)


Here's the updated pic with a bit more organization.

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You can't go wrong with a kukri of some kind. I know you say you have blades and tomahawks allready but when you hold a kukri you feel like nothing can come in your way, not even a 1200 pound grizzly.


Here's the hawk ;)


1536537_504430723005881_1368137986_n.jpg


Here's a size comparison pic :D
1240655_433276650121289_1852532719_n.png
 
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If you're building bumpers anyway, make them from pipe big enough to use as storage.

A hi-lift can slide into a front bumper tube for storage.

check your local MV laws regarding bumper sizes. there are requirements for the width, height and dimensions to bumpers.
 
Check out pro-guard I picked up my trunk storage drawer for my shotgun/ push bar and skid plate from them and the have some people cool options next I'm think a full prisoner transport to contain the kids on long trips
 
I don't often get jealous of other peoples gear but this is a thing of beauty Darren!

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That new chest rig you're rocking is pretty sweet as well.
 
It's a slow day so here goes:

You've already done most of it very trick and thought out, so doubt any of this is news to you:
First plan for how to use for fun, and then think about for the worst case stuff.
Then think about how it all goes together. You're dropping 7-10K+ on this. Spend some serious time reviewing flexibility, weight, cost, usefulness, and frequency of need\use.
After it's been loaded for a month or two and you're happy with the configuration, go to the dealer and get it levelled. Check your weight on a road scale. That'll be the biggest effect on your range\economy.
Stop by some survey trucks and look at their cargo boxes and setups. They go a lot more "off-road" for work than most patch guys. Not lifted, no extra fuel\winch, and frequently alone in remote areas.
Fuel: Supertank or add 2nd tank underneath. Slip tank needs some kind of pump and may not work well with your cap\deck. Almost same range and most guys with those are filling up at rigs or farms anyways (some kind of discount). You may pay more now and then, but you don't have to worry about stabilizing fuel either.
Security:
Alarm system with remote start and ability to self-start by block temperature and maybe time. Additional cable to go to ATVs or other items on Deck\cab. Extends your securtiy zone a bit.
Use an obvious chain in addition to tie-down straps.
Cap\Deck:
Look at Diamondback (silver\black) or a ATV\Sled deck (Galvanized\black). Can haul ATVs and maybe enough stuff to a show so a trailer's PITA factor isn't needed. Decks slide in\out and have ramps. The racks make mounting points for lights, tiedowns and lots of other uses. A hoop frame and tarp on the deck hides everything and can give it that duece look. :>
Some decks have access door in front to get at head of box.
Drawer\cargo system:
Maybe a flat sliding drawer and make your own dividers. Most cargo boxes aren't that flexible for changing configurations, so look at some and make your own with metal dividiers.
Power\Lights:
Figure what you'd like for lightng and flexibility for it. Maybe also use it at shows/shoots to draw attention to your booth.
LED llighting in the bed is awesome. Three strips (sides and head). Also run a 12V cable with forklift or WARN connectors to power battery, winch, whatever from back. Charge things while you drive.
Power inverter hard-wired in with extension cords into bed and cab.
Switch to use "shore" power at events or hotel plug-ins. Plug extra source in same time as block heater.
Rigid lights and maybe flashing system using headlights as well (some work well with ballasts, some don't).
Lights that can light up deck and swing to side to light up sides when needed? Lights front\back, tied to hi beams?
Towing\recovery:
Not just you, but someone else who was even more unfortuate about getting stuck.
Double the straps you have now. Clevis's that fit through your bumper loops and more to tie straps and other vehicles together. Chains and hooks for same. Solid ground or good pull angles can be farther than you think. Untying straps is huga PITA.
Winch on receiver hitch setup for front\back. Why turn arond on highway to free someone if you don't have to? Not on lots of trucks and if you're stuck enough to worry about your winch connection breaking, you're past self-recovery. Can store in bed for better security and weight distribution. Keeps it easier to access than trying to dig out the end its on to move it elsewhere...
Upgrade your tires tread, but don't bother with lift kit.
Safety:
Cel booster. Tri-band type.
Bigger fire extinguisher than you think you need (20lb+).
Safety book showing closest hospital, RCMP and fire locations (can get free). STARS# and ERP visible for anyone in truck to read when rolled over?
GPS tracking has uses, some cons. Yes, over Onstar and phones.
Spot personal receiver. Can go not just where truck is. Can providing tracking and can send spot locations to set numbers not just something to emergency ppl. Pretty flexible and inexpensive.
Personal lightning detector? Cheap and has uses in outdoors.
 
You need some proper, tactical truck nuts like this:

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Also, one of these since I think they are funny:

ggg1387.jpg
 
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