Up-Armoring My GOOD Vehicle

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Since nobody has yet published a manual on how to up-armor civilian vehicles, I am on my own and in un-charted territory. Here are my efforts and notes to date, based on viable commercial options, common sense and imagination:

Checklist w/notes:

2003 Nissan Frontier 4x4

Engine:
•3.3 Liter Supercharged V6 w/manual 5-speed transmission (210 HP) (stock)
•K&N cold air filter (12 HP) (add-on, complete)
•cat-back exhaust system (8 HP) (add-on, complete)

Slowly but surely turning Zoom from a stock cat into a survival lion. Stock mileage is 15/18; his current gas mileage is about 16 mpg, with an around-town low of 14 and an Interstate high of 20 (cruise control set at 59 mph w/a tail wind). Nothing left to upgrade on the engine except battery, ignition wires & spark plugs.

Suspension:
•2.5-inch lift kit w/shocks, swing arms, springs, etc. (add-on, in-process)

Paid for, scheduled installation is this Friday. A quality lift-kit with serious off-road capability.

Armor:
•ARB front bumper w/winch (add-on, complete)
•steel rear bumper w/trailer hitch (stock)
•plate steel ram plate (add-on, concept)
•3 tires mounted to front bumper (add-on, concept)
•ballistic film for windshield & side windows (add-on, inquiry phase)
•sandbags in truck bed (add-on, bags & shovel in truck box)
•run-flat tires (add-on, inquiry phase)

The ARB bumper is a serious ass-kicker. Spot-welding additional plate steel to it is always a viable option. If TS ever HTF, I will fasten one big tire to its center and a smaller tire on each side, for added ballistic protection and cushioning :-).

Tail gates are hollow. Is it possible to drill a hole in one and fill it with gravel for bullet-dampening effect? Probably.

To bullet-proof a truck bed, fill it with tires and line it with sand bags.

In Vietnam, some of the US helicopters had thin magnesium skin that did nothing to slow bullets. The workaround? The pilots sat in bullet-proof titanium seats, and the soldiers in the cargo bay sat on their helmets or on segments of armor plating. Am wondering if similar means could be applied to a vehicle cab. The driver and passengers could wear flak jackets or bullet proof vests. Or, segments of bulletproof plating such as the BALLISTIC CLIPBOARD could be attached to the seatbacks or to the inside of the doors/cab.

Ballistic film can be purchased via Amazon for $360. Am inquiring into professional installation. Ballistic film purportedly prevents smashing entry thru windows/windshields and reduces effect of bullets up to 44 Magnum. Will ballistic film strengthen metal if it is applied to the inside of the interior of the door as well?

Preliminary research into run-flat tires seems to indicate that they are problematic, expensive and may not be available for trucks. More research needed.

Gas prices keep climbing.

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