Good lighting I'm assuming is paramount...as many 'missions' will be at night.
All aspects of lighting to be addressed including interior, front, rear, side. Some safety lighting as the 'RaginRabbi''s amber emergency lights. The purpose of these for a PV being for at-scene visibility rather than enroute 'license to speed'.
Be careful, check your state laws regarding any emergency lighting. IN some states even volunteer firemen can run lights. KNow your rules as well as rules in surrounding states. Even an amber light bar can get you in trouble.
Know what your SAR sponsoring organization permits.
In building a SAR Vehicle from scratch, what are must have add-ons/mods?
Basically, what makes a good SAR Vehicle?
As a Frontier owner my self, I would say make sure you get skids, rock sliders, and bumpers for your truck.
Sliders are going to be important with your LB wheelbase, since my CC SB spends a decent amount of time on the sliders. Get a steel gas tank skid first, then an engine/oil pan skid. Then work on getting the other skids after that. Make sure you have good recovery points front and rear. The front factory tow hook does just fine. If you have a receiver hitch in the rear, get a d-ring shackle hitch attachment. Otherwise see if you can pick up a spare front hook since they will also bolt into the frame on either side in the rear. Consider doing something different with you spare tire. Believe me, it is not fun trying to get that spare out from under the truck when you need it in the middle of a trail on an obstacle. Consider mounting it in the bed.
To add to the other stuff, I would say: shovel(s), axe, hi-lift, excellent first aid kit, survival gear, water, food, communications (CB, HAM, handheld comm), recovery gear in general, tools, air compressor or CO2 tank, fire extinguisher(s), etc...
thank you!
too much to comment on at once, but that which isn't already on the list will be added.
My priorities were in this general order, some concurrently:
1. Communications -
2. Your personal equipment -
3. The ability to travel on appropriate terrain -
4. The ability to recover yourself or others -
5. Quality off-road anf fog lighting -
This lists looks like a good way to begin. My plans were Skid plates, Sliders and winch and roof rack.This just about covers my needs but add two more to the list.
6. Packing space
I also need to be able to transport men or equipment at a moments notice so I have a large roofrack and the truck bed is uncluttered so I can load up without any hassle.
I sometimes even transport field rescuers on the roofrack, and once had some human remains up there as well :Wow1:
Sometimes have guys standing on the rocksliders while using the roofrack as a handle.:smiley_drive:
7. Uncluttered cab.
Get yourself organised. A place for everything and everything in it's place. There is nothing worse than having chaos inside the cab when on a call-out. It happens to me every time. I don't know if I'll ever get it 100% organised in that department.