i see this comment or similar often around here. i understand that these trucks can be had for dirt-cheap. but that doesn't mean that other equipment will be (or even should be) as relatively inexpensive. it's not logical to compare a piece of equipment from another industry to the cost of your surplussed MV.
let's face it; no one in their right mind would have expected that (5 years ago) you can buy an 18000lb winch for $800-1600 dollars, period.
yes, this can be an inexpensive hobby to enter. but once you want to make modifications by grafting inter-industrial equipment onto these vehicles.... well, you gotta pay to play.