Has anyone ever installed one of those aftermaket dump kits?
Northern Tool has one for around 900 bucks, i'm getting tired of shoveling out manure and bark mulch.
are there any modifications that need to be done? what about the bumper?
how does the bed and tailgate clear it?
thanks
this would be for a 2001 SD short bed.

 

I haven't seen one on a newer truck, but on the older trucks out there you would lose the use of your bumper for towing. The bumper would tilt with the bed. The $900 does sound attractive. On the older trucks these usits were prone to rattling beds after some use. There is a brand out there called the stealth dumper which lifts the bed over the bumper, but it cost about $2,600. Or you could do some research on the bed inserts which can be moved from truck to truck as you get new ones. But they weigh a couple of (800-1000)hundred pounds. There is one product that is a removable plastic dump kit Dump-Pro)that is around $2,200 or $2,600 as a removable unit and can be used between a few trucks. It does not require any drilling. I was seriously considering one of these to use between my half ton and my 1 ton when one truck was tied up. They only weigh 4oo pounds. I've since replaced both trucks with one and have a load handler (Crank out bed mat) on order. Given how often I was going to use it the cost did not make sense, but the idea and versitility is a great concept. If you check out your local want advertiser someone always has an insert for sale for short money.

 

how about the load handler? anyone use one of those? do they work?

 

I've had the load handler for about 5 to 6 years now. This thing is worth it!! I love this thing. I am always useing it unloading mulch, rocks, dirt, and grass clippings. It works like a charm. I've loaded the truck down with about 2,000 lbs of rocks(the truck was squatting) and it cranked it off with no problems.