Greetings Cmoody.
Like your selection for your families bug out vehicle. So Lockhart, Texas, not knowing where your bugging out to, have to believe your crossing west over the 35 to avoid all the nut jobs that will be exiting San Antonio or Houston when SHTF.
Thought I might chime on in, since I've learned a bit of Texas lovely environment, as you know a simple roadway brush thorn can make our day on Texas highway. So somethings to consider, just a nice suggestion. Not sure based on your photo if its a 4x4?, if it is great, then you have only a few modifications. 1, when money allows, change out the radials to a Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar or at least puncture resistant tire, these are the best for a 4x4, I've got them on my Denali 4x4 and used them in the snow and mud of New Mexico when we went skiing this year. Add a set of chains for snow traction and your set.
I have this thing for lights, possibly its because my brother in law who lives in Montana, worked for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe as their lead electrician. When he worked for them, he had the largest boom operated mounted truck from Whitefish, Montana to Minot, North Dakota, and where their was a train derailment on the Northern Route, he was sure to be there, lending his light boom to the accident scene. I learned a ton of things from him, when I was on leave and saw him in action. Needless to say, I was so impressed with the lighting set up, that when I deployed, I was the first to modify our Humvees and other assorted vehicles with lighting systems. As you can see from the below pictures, some of these guys know this. I like picture 1, he has a very night strobe LED system and two front mounted lights for added road lighting. The first picture resembles what we normally see in North Texas as weather chasers...crazy guys who love chasing them twisters.
The second picture appears to be a yuppy, 4 wheeler with a Ford Expedition with roof mounted light system (note, I am not to crazy for his roof mounted lights, they are not LED and not strobe), seem to be after-market add on that was possibly influenced by the dealer who added his very sharp tow winch, the tow winch is what I would advise doing, after you get the tires. I have a Warn Zeon 10 Platinum, but I hear they have a new one out that is called the Zeon 12 that has even better capacity. I got mine on sale for about 1500, but you will need to get the mount kit also and my dealer made if flush Denali, so its not standing out there...saying look at me. It comes with a remote, so you really are not struggling with the cable. Just like a real tow operator.
I placed a Smittybilt roof rack on it, so I can place most of my gear on top. Also comes in handy on family vacations, as we place the ski's and poles up there.
Anyway, sure you thought about it, but figured since your uprigging your BOV...thought it would be a nice gestures to send you some ideas.
Good preps to you.
This one looks similar to your rig, just red, but he has a smaller cattle bar (totally worthless), but the lights are good. I'd ditch that small piece of crap cattle iron and place one of the two from top. If you know someone who can place an iron bumper like picture number 1, I would do it (the one in this picture is a plastic bumper...just waiting to hit something solid and rub against your wheel well.
