Pretty solid and sturdy and now mounted on Passenger Side bed wall as my earlier pic shows.
Front Mounted Winch Recovery Techniques
- Thread starter pinebaron
- Start date
Amateurhour
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That’s good to hear that you can still use the tie down points. I just received a Putco panel this week but was lamenting the loss of my tie down points as they have been handy in the past. Thanks for confirming they will work together
Read the following when you are ready to install your panel, it will make zero sense otherwise; I attemped to explain as best as I could; wish I'd taken a few photos.That’s good to hear that you can still use the tie down points. I just received a Putco panel this week but was lamenting the loss of my tie down points as they have been handy in the past. Thanks for confirming they will work together
I was delighted to learn that I could continue to use both factor tie downs on the truck bed sidewall, use all existing tie down hardware; the molle panel mount bracket in-between, acts like a spacer and permits use of all existing GMC tie down hardware. You'll have to use Putco's screw, its corresponding flat nut block and provided trim cover, only for the middle molle panel mount (once you remove existing rubber insert from truck bed sidewall).
Try not to drop existing butterfly bolt while completely unscrewing existing tie downs, it will drop into the void behind the bed side panel. I was careful with the rear tie down, however, managed to drop the butterfly bolt while unscrewing one towards the front; no damage done since it landed in an area next to the rear spring pack next to the rear wheel. Until I located where it dropped, I thought I may have to remove lining above rear tires, fortunately it was not the case. Its fairly easy to figure out how to reinstall existing tie down hardware with the addition of the molle panel bracket in-between. In fact it was easier to install hardware with the dropped butterfly bolt; made it easier to put all existing tie down hardware including molle panel mount bracket. Put all the parts together, partially screw existing tiedown bolt into the butterfly bolt, then only insert complete assembly into the side panel while manually compressing butterfly bolt.
No instructions are include with the putco molle panel. The only thing you may wonder is the order of screw/bolt and trim cover for the center panel bolt; it is Bolt + molle panel bracket + molle spacer (legs away from panel bracket) + Flat Nut; partially screw it in then insert into bed side panel; tighten with a power driver and appropriate hex bit (if you have one) with molle mount flat nut standing vertical behind the truck side wall opening.
Getting prepped for winter myself this morning and thought about you, @pinebaron, getting a farm jack.
With all this high-tech recovery gear, I don't think I read about a scoop!
You need to carry a farm scoop shovel. Cannot fathom how many times this was the simplest low-tech approach to being stuck in snow. Don't work with a darn in mud, but snow? Hell yeah.
They are made for grain but work just as good in snow...
Also, there is no shame in carrying a couple of sand tubes next to the wheel wells.
Stay safe and I want pictures of your first recovery!
With all this high-tech recovery gear, I don't think I read about a scoop!
You need to carry a farm scoop shovel. Cannot fathom how many times this was the simplest low-tech approach to being stuck in snow. Don't work with a darn in mud, but snow? Hell yeah.
They are made for grain but work just as good in snow...
Also, there is no shame in carrying a couple of sand tubes next to the wheel wells.
Stay safe and I want pictures of your first recovery!
I have a scoop shovel since I do my own landscaping; for the moment I only intend to carry a Krazy Beaver Shovel. Let everything arrive, mostly in transit at the moment; need to install or adhere to the Putco side panel and also to the underside of Diamondback HD cover. Initially, most for the fancy schmancy recovery gear 'I have it all' look. I may have to stage a recovery this winter to confirm it all works. You are aware and I will not deny it, I have more equipment than sense or experience to use all this. My real life experience is limited to use of a tow strap or tow rope, either pulling or being pulled. The move from a proverbial pen knife to a modern chain saw, so to speak, will take time.Getting prepped for winter myself this morning and thought about you, @pinebaron, getting a farm jack.
With all this high-tech recovery gear, I don't think I read about a scoop!
You need to carry a farm scoop shovel. Cannot fathom how many times this was the simplest low-tech approach to being stuck in snow. Don't work with a darn in mud, but snow? Hell yeah.
They are made for grain but work just as good in snow...
View attachment 22150
Also, there is no shame in carrying a couple of sand tubes next to the wheel wells.
Stay safe and I want pictures of your first recovery!
I had to lookup krazy beaver, never heard of it. That shovel with all the holes looks interesting. Normal shovels don't work very well digging out stuck irrigation pivots. But damn, $150? I have a ton of $25 shovels and a drill press. 
Never even thought about it, but the excavator has "relief" holes in the bucket!
Never even thought about it, but the excavator has "relief" holes in the bucket!
Its only for krazy peopleI had to lookup krazy beaver, never heard of it.
Things are slow here until I receive hardware and tools to install rivet nuts. In the meantime replaced 130lb with 160lb openers, that was @Johnv76 recommendation; also attached a 6Ton bottle jack I had still new in box. While I wait for fire extinguisher holder to arrive, I need to order a 3-3.5lb dry extinguisher; so many brands out there.
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Looks good bud. Such a cheap upgrade for the struts, but well worth it.
Viking Truck
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When I had my diamondback the struts were so strong I disconnected one on each panel. If not the thing would pop up rapidly and took a bit of force to close. I had the HD but never mounted anything to them besides bicycle fork clamps on top.
Will certainly need 160lb struts once a farm jack and metal teeth recovery boards are installed below them.
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That’s the difference between camping and overlanding: a $25 shovel will work for camping but you need the $150 shovel to be an overlander!I had to lookup krazy beaver, never heard of it. That shovel with all the holes looks interesting. Normal shovels don't work very well digging out stuck irrigation pivots. But damn, $150? I have a ton of $25 shovels and a drill press.
Never even thought about it, but the excavator has "relief" holes in the bucket!
There you go! That's my justification!That’s the difference between camping and overlanding: a $25 shovel will work for camping but you need the $150 shovel to be an overlander!
I need to add an axe or hatchet to my recovery gear; one I have in my lawn tools is too large.
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Don't forget the chainsaw there are nice mounting brackets for those nowadays as well
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