Winter and robotics make for slow progress on the truck, but I did manage to get a few things done. Main thing is I finally got the winch "mounted". Cut the caps off the front of the frame rails and slid 2" square tube inside, went back about a foot on each side. Two 1/2" grade 8 bolts on each side. 1/4" plate running across with another two 1/2" grade 8 bolts each side holds the winch, a Smittybilt 8000lb. The rest was quick and dirty; welded a crossbar to keep bumper shape and mount the lights and then cut the center of the bumper out. The mount will be strengthened and a new bumper will be built sometime this spring/summer but it was on in time for winter and I've already used it twice. Once as a hoist and once to tug a car that was stuck in snow trying to get out of a parking spot.
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Another thrown-together add-on accessory is a bed crane. I finally left my old job (or rather left the manager) and I had to move all of my toolboxes.
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Picked up a HF bed crane and married a HF ATV winch to it, welded an offset mount, and bolted thru the bed. Needs thicker bottom plate for sure but other than that it actually did work. The move itself was a time sensitive operation so I didn't have time to get pics of the move but here's the crane moving my truck box later that day. It was nice not having to empty it to move it
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And finally I added yet another set of lights, this time cargo lamps in the bed. Got them around Christmas and just this past week had my girl give me a hand installing them. Two run into the toolbox (not mounted yet as I have not wired the disconnect in yet)
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Next on the list is revisiting storage and toolbox, and if budget allows a new front bumper.
Also looking into some traffic advisor/warning lights. Nothing crazy, just some flashing ambers. While travelling with robotics team I pulled over to help one of the other mentors with a flat tire and my choices were the dull red taillight flashers or the blinding LED cubes. Something in between might not be bad on a black truck lol