practicality is alway #1

[MerKWorK]

When I think of a vehicle, I think of practicality. A vehicle is just another tool, like any weapon. It should serve what purposes you desire. In my humble opinion I think that the majority of the vehicles on the road today are doomed if there was ever a breakdown in the fabric of this great nation.

1st, roads will probably become clogged, whether it be natural disaster or collapse of social order. This means an alternate offroad course might be a must. Enter four wheel drive. Four wheel drive is a must. This being said, you also need good traction. All terrain or mud tires are really not a bad idea. Also selectable lockers further your capabilities. Just think about what you might have to drive through and plan from there.

2nd,capacity is a big issue. You are going to be needing to bring supplies to a bug out destination or will be gathering supplies at later times. Don't forget seating for the family. For supplies roof racks are one of my favorites. You don't have to use up vital room inside the vehicle. Great for gas cans and just about anything that you can leave out in the elements. Downfalls are that people can see what you have and your gear will be exposed to the elements. I have also seen types of small survival trailors. Small enough not to really impede capability of the vehicle but big enough to have tent systems a a good amount of storage.

3rd, part interchangeability. Remember practicality rules. Live in USA, might want to own something that every parts store stocks on the shelf. Probably can't have anything shipped in the middle of a crisis.

4th, fuel economy. This is pretty damn important. Not saying because the price of gas but availability. You don't really need a 9 mpg truck when you only have 50 gallons to last you till who knows when. Also keep some gas cans handy, you will need them.

[MerKWorK]

I own a 2000 Jeep Wrangler. It is an inline four cylinder. Decent power and good on gas. The upgrades to the air intake and exhaust have helped a lot. It is really one of the best stock 4x4's you can buy. Tons of options. I have a family of four including myself. The jeep is our only vehicle. gotta go for now will post more on the subject later

[Ryder]

I have a 1st gen Isuzu trooper as a bug out vehicle.

This one uses the GM 2.8L V6, so parts are not a problem and Isuzu's in general are built like tanks!

[MerKWorK]

Not bad, I think troopers have stout axles for their size. Remember tearing up my buddies with him as a teen.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

97 - 99 Suburban. They came with the LT-1 350 V8 engine. Get the 1/2 ton with trailer towing package with 3.42 gears and they have a 44 gallon fuel tank. 18.5 MPG Hwy @ 60MPH. That works out to a 800 mile range on ONE tank!

Parts for Chevy trucks are available pretty much everywhere.

Roof rating is 275 lbs so you can haul alot on the roof rack.

Spare tire is inside so less chance of theft.

Will waul a Shit Ton of stuff and you can sleep inside in the back!

And the best part is folks are dumping them for nothing right now.

7.62

[GOVT1911]

Funny enough, I have both a Jeep Wrangler and a Suburban! LOL

I love my Jeep, and I'm running 33x12 tires right now and it'll go a LOT of places. Only problem is capacity, both gear and fuel. Not much room inside and only has a 19 gallon tank. I have a rack that goes on the receiver hitch and can carry 5 more 5 gallon cans on it, but that still only gives me 44 gallon total, and at 14 MPG works out to just over 600 miles.

The Suburban (88 3/4ton sitting on 36" tires) Is a beast and VERY capable and can haul just about anything I need. Problem with it is it gets around 9MPG. I have a 32 gallon tank and can use the same rack as the Jeep, which totals just over 500 mile range. I can load and carry more fuel cans tho, so it isn't really much of a problem to increase it's range to match or surpass the Jeep. Plus I can carry all my crap (yeah, I guess I now have room for Wifey LOL) . Another plus is the 350, can't swing a dead cat without hitting a chevy 350 so parts availability isn't really an issue.


Hmmmmmm, think I just talked myself into focusing on the 'burban instead of the Jeep for GOOD vehicle if for some reason I can't hunker down. The fuel capacity and mileage does kind of worry me, as even if I carry an extra 50 gallons it won't last too long toolin around running over Zombies. (forgot to mention that plus for the 'burban, solid cab so the Mutant Zombie Bikers can't just poke their claws thru the top like in the Jeep!)

All in all, the 'burban meets 3 out of 4 of Merk's requirements, but the one it doesn't could be a BIG problem.

[Andy the Aussie]

80 Series Landcruiser (4.2L diesel donk) ....... 145l fuel capacity that even fully loaded with roof rack and extra fuel etc etc gives me around 700+ km range. 1100 km with a "normal" travelling range. Goes about anywhere (that a long wheel base 2 tonne truck will) you need and is the MOST reliable vehicle I have ever known.

GOVT1911 of course knows all this already but I just thought I would share with the rest of the group.... ;)

[MerKWorK]

If I buy another vehicle, I think I want to buy a unimog. May be out of my price range, but you just can't get much better then that! I owned a landy before my jeep. Good vehicle, seated seven...very hard to get parts for it. Jeep is great and I have the up most confidence in mine, however I do see flaws I had previously overlooked. That is what the thread is for... thanks for the info and keep it coming! Andy is right about toyota 80's, my dad and his wife both own them. My dads came stock with electonic front and rear locking diffs. Engine life expectancy is over 300,000. Parts aren't real cheap though!

[GOVT1911]

How did I know Andy would drag his 'cruiser into this? LOL

Actually, I'd really like to find a nice Toyota, mid 80's straight axle, either a TLC or maybe even an extracab. Only problem is, most of the ones I see for sale are rusted to hell.

I LOVE my 'burban, and I get a lot of crap for it 'cuz it's pretty ugly, BUT....

.....Saturday around 5 PM I got a call from a buddy that has a NIIIIIIIICE big-ass Ford F250 Superduty. Seems he was stuck and needed a hand getting out. I hop in the 'burban and head out. Took awhile to find him, but when I got there it was a mess. He had sunk in deep, sticky mud up to the top of his tires (36" mudders). He and a buddy had been digging for a couple hours and had "assistance" from a couple other guys. When I arrived, the Ford had already broken his front axle and another guy with a really nice, big Chevy Z71 lifted on 37" IROKs had broken a tierod.
There was a nice Toyota TRO that was trying to pull him out, but even with lockers he just couldn't budge the Ford.
I take a look and give them a little guidance on where to dig and I begin looking for solid ground to pull from. I hook up my truck and give the Ford owner the other end of the chain (he wanted to use his chain instead of my strap) to hook up to his rig (I always make the owner hook his end up, so I can't get blamed for bending his stuff). I try a nice slow pull, I'm spinning all 4 tires and not getting anywhere. Cory (ford owner) says "get a run and yank it". I tell him that's how shit gets broken, but if he wants me to, I will. He says do it. I get about a 5 foot run and hit it HARD. Truck moves about a foot. He says hit it again, but get a better run. I back up and tromp on it. POW!!! chain breaks and part flies back hitting his grill, smashing it up pretty good and also takes out his passenger side rear-view mirror.
We asses the damage and I hook back up using my recovery strap. After several good jerks I get him out and we go on our way. Total recovery time was over 6 hrs.
I had to give shit to everyone there that had $40k+ trucks and my $2k suburban was the only one that could get the job done!

[Andy the Aussie]

How did I know Andy would drag his 'cruiser into this? LOL ....I would have hated to disappoint... ;)

Out here Toyota parts are like arseholes.... ;) My 80 series has many bits in common with the 75 series which is by far the most common 4x4 here. Every small town has a Toyota dealer. Parts are still expensive here but at least I don't use many :D

1911 .....were they using a proper snatch strap to try and get that Ford out or just a towing strap ?

[GOVT1911]

I carry a SNATCH strap for recoveries. "tow" straps are crap and aren't meant to stretch/recover like a true snatch strap does. Can't tell ya how many "tow" straps I've seen snap before.

I actually usually use some large straps that were originally used for sling loading vehicles and equipment under helicopters. They have some good spring to them that cushions the jerk from a hard pull and hey, I couldn't beat the price! ;) I have a couple sizes from short 15" up to a long-ass one around 60 feet long. I like the long one because it usually allows me to put my recovery rig on solid, dry ground. It has quite a bit of stretch in it tho.

[Andy the Aussie]

Yeah the snatch straps make the world of difference, it still amazes me that there are 4x4ers who don't get the concept and persist with a tow strap or chain. I carry a snatch strap, tow strap and chain when away. I would like to ditch the chain but I have a "winching kit" that goes with my hi-lift jack that uses a chain. It is slow but effective enough.

Andy

[Andy the Aussie]

GOVT.... you really do need to post a few pics of the 'Burban.... ;) We may actually agree on that quirk of your tastes.... :D

I was eyeing off a 4x4 2500 Diesel version when they introduced them here badged as a Holden. There are still a few around my area here (lots of folks with a few acres and horses).

Andy

[GOVT1911]

I'll try to get a pic of the 'burban up. I'm fairly 'puter stoopid, so it may take a bit. anyone got any step by step directions?

[Andy the Aussie]

Do you have a digital camera ??? Once you get the pics taken and on the puter you need to size them down. If you don't have a picture editing program that can be a pain. Once you get 'em taken you can e-mail them to me and I will size them for you. Posting them is just a click of a few buttons away ... ;)

[GOVT1911]

Andy, I can't seem to get'em on here so I'm going to email them to you.

Thanks

[Andy the Aussie]

Done mate........ :eek: :eek:

[Andy the Aussie]

Another.....:cool:

[Andy the Aussie]

The Jeep recovery unit........;)

[Andy the Aussie]

Another of the Burban......

[GOVT1911]

Thanks Andy!

I love my Jeep, but range and cargo capacity are on the down side. I also love my 'burban, but fuel economy sucks bad! I think, all in all, if I had to bail outta Dodge, I'd end up taking the 'burban. I can just take more stuff with me which in the long run would make it easier to made it. Not to mention, I could live for awhile in the 'burban! LOL

[MerKWorK]

You got a couple of nice looking vehicles there, burban looks to be in pretty good shape. You should think about getting some better tires for it. I really like Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. Excellent in all offroad conditions, good on road performance, the only poor mark is wet pavement. Nice trucks though I'm jealous. Since the thread started I've seen 4 burbs up for sale around the same year as your, I'm keepin' my eye on em>

[GOVT1911]

I love the 'burban. The tires on it now aren't bad, 36x12s and they're siped. They worked great in the snow back in MT and pretty dang good on the rocks when I took it up to Uwarrie ORA. They're OK but not GREAT in the mud. I haven't been stuck in it yet but it's done pretty dang well pulling the Jeep and several other vehicles out when they got stuck in the mud.

[MonsterMash]

97 - 99 Suburban. They came with the LT-1 350 V8 engine. Get the 1/2 ton with trailer towing package with 3.42 gears and they have a 44 gallon fuel tank. 18.5 MPG Hwy @ 60MPH. That works out to a 800 mile range on ONE tank!

Parts for Chevy trucks are available pretty much everywhere.

Roof rating is 275 lbs so you can haul alot on the roof rack.

Spare tire is inside so less chance of theft.

Will waul a Shit Ton of stuff and you can sleep inside in the back!

And the best part is folks are dumping them for nothing right now.

7.62


Are you referring to the 2wd or 4wd models? I'm looking for a Burban right now.

[Andy the Aussie]

My favourite pic of GOVT1911s "Jeep"......:D

[Andy the Aussie]

Another of my Cruiser loaded up early in our five week trip north earlie rthis year. The roof rack is rated to carry 150kgs and is built like a tank....the wind resistance is hard on the fuel economy. Travelling without the rack I get around 8km per litre and with the rack it averaged 6.2km per litre. You can however carry LOTS of gear up there, especially large big light/soft kit (sleeping bags tents etc) that take up lots of internal space. Fuel and water cans also ride there well.

I split the cargo bay with a deck (pic below) that makes much better use of the area/space. Gear stowed low is still accessable and you can stack it to the roof if need be. Would not be without this now. I can remove it in around 10 minutes should I need to carry a larger item in back.

Andy

[Andy the Aussie]

The loaded up pic mentioned above...

[Andy the Aussie]

In a world where money and such are NOT an issue I would probably have to try and come up with one the TLCs pictured below. They are based on the 75/79 series trucks and made originally for the Jordanian military (I think) the 6x6 LRPV used by the SAS here are neat (based on a Landrover) but getting old and are slated for replacement in the next couple of years. Their use in Iraq (early on) and Afghanistan in particular has seen them wear.....I can dream....:D :D

[Andy the Aussie]

Another pair on my wish list...

[GOVT1911]

Gee, thanks for that last pic of my Jeep! I had forgotten about the vandalisim done to the paint!!

I saw a couple of the 6x Landrovers in Iraq a few years ago, thought they were pretty cool but didn't get a close look.

If I had to "build" a dream vehicle, it'd probabally be a late 80's TLC wagon (don't know what model they are??) lifted a bit running on 33" tires. Onboard air and welder. Spare fuel and water storage, pioneer tools (ax, shovel etc) on a rack. Lockers and 8000 lb winch of course....hmmmmm, what else??? Tons of stuff but if I keep going like this now I'll never get any work done!

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Are you referring to the 2wd or 4wd models? I'm looking for a Burban right now.


4wd w/ towing package = 42 gallon gas tank. http://www.4x4review.com/vehicles/chevy/99suburban-dim.asp

We went up north this week. On the expressway out of town the alternator puked. I made it to an exit and drove to Auto Zone. We made it 2 blocks away from the store before the battery lost too much voltage to run the engine. I walked to the parts store and they had the alternator I needed (being a 350 Chevy and all) They even loaned me the tools to change the alternator. $120 & 45 minutes later we were back on the road with a new alternator and a new belt with a lifetime guarantee. The Auto Zone manager even drove his truck over to give us a jump start.

350 Chevy = parts available everywhere - that's practical

7.62

[MerKWorK]

Andy, nice truck...I like the storage rack in the rear and the dividing wall, they come in handy when shit starts flying! damn nice truck!

[Andy the Aussie]

Andy, nice truck...I like the storage rack in the rear and the dividing wall, they come in handy when shit starts flying! damn nice truck! .......thanks mate.

If I had to "build" a dream vehicle, it'd probabally be a late 80's TLC wagon (don't know what model they are??) lifted a bit running on 33" tires. Onboard air and welder. Spare fuel and water storage, pioneer tools (ax, shovel etc) on a rack. Lockers and 8000 lb winch of course....hmmmmm, what else??? Tons of stuff but if I keep going like this now I'll never get any work done!
.....that would be a 60 series wagon, I had two of them at different times. In the US they came with the 3F petrol motor but both of mine had the 2H diesel. They are notorious for doing big big miles without any work..!!!!!

[Andy the Aussie]

My last three Toyotas.... a BJ42 (1982) HJ60 (1983) and HJ62(1989) ...all diesel. The 1983 was the pick of the lot.

Funny thing is I saw it here in Sydney a couple of months ago on George St. That is THE MAIN street of Sydney if you will. Funny because I sold it in 1994 to a guy that lived up in the bush where I use to and here I was on a ped crossing and it is waiting for me to go across. Not the same guy I sold it to driving.

Andy:D

[Andy the Aussie]

Just a couple of random thoughts I had about vehicles "for serious times", now I preface this by saying that I do not envisage me have to "BO" here, maybe hole up in the house for a little with no power or the like but a full scale crash is highly unlikely here.

I have always thought greatly about the issue of what vehicle would be right (the one you have is generally the ONLY choice) but something that always springs to mind is something that can do the job yet "remain under the radar" to some extent. All manner of "Max Max/Road Warrior" rigs would probably be very useful but are more then likely going to attract you a deal of unwanted attention. Those of you in the US may well be equipped to deal with this but my theory is that you are better off NOT having to if possible, that whole risk v reward thing.

By way of example my 80 Series even fully loaded and kitted up is a heck of a long way from being unusual and will not overly stand out (probably a statement about the generally GOOD taste of the average Aussie ;) ).

I have no doubt that a Unimog fitted with all manner of racks and such would be a great vehicle if it came to getting out of here but it IS going to look like a treasure trove on wheels to most in such situations. Obvious camouflage etc will, in the urban environment, actually make the truck stand out more. Should the need to dull down the pearly white of my Tojo present then a light wipe with some oil and a dash down a back (unsealed)l road is in order and somewhat effective.

In the US I would guess that a large pickup/SUV loaded wont really draw any extra attention.

Worth some thought I feel.

Andy