So what are the deficiencies these days? Hmm…an uber-reliable vehicle capable of hauling me, my gear, preps, and anything else long distances and over variable terrain. And before you say it, a LandMaster is not in the picture. I’d *like* to, but it aint gonna happen.
I’m leaning towards either an older Toyota LandCruiser or an older Ford Bronco.
Why the older models? I want something that can be fixed using a Leatherman tool and a pair of Vise-Grips while parked by the side of the road. The Toyotas are used all over Africa where the nearest service department is half a continent away..theyre designed to be fixed by illiterate natives using handtools found in the back of a leftover Panzer.
One of the LMI’s had a ’77 Bronco and it was nice to look under the hood and actually *see* how things worked. No computers, no fuel injection, nothing that would be beyond the ken of yours truly. A Chilton Manual and some tools were all that really seemed needed. And, being Commander Zero, speed, aesthetics and style all take a backseat to utter, stone-cold reliability. When Im stuck in traffic and the hordes of refugees are swelling the freeways I want to be able to lock the hubs, drop it into 4-low and climb up the embankment, through the chain link and onward to freedom and my pre-planned escape route. You cant do that in a Honda CRX. I dont mind spending a bit more for the things I want if I know they’ll always work when I need them.
Additionally, these two particular vehicles have cult followings that create a huge aftermarket parts supply. Spare fuel tanks, fibergalss body panels, roll cages, etc, etc..all available.
My buddy’s ’77 set him back about $5k. I think he dumped another $2k into it but it was a great righ and climbed over some scaly stuff out in the sticks…angles so steep youd be laying in your seat like you were about to be shot into space. Me, I need something that’ll bounce over logging roads, crumbled roads, no roads, sidewalks, fields, and rubble strewn freeways.
No, Im not getting a Hummer. Where the bloody hell would I find parts for it? I need something that I can find parts in any Napa or Checker from coast-to-coast.
One. Glaring. Deficiency.
How about a Unimog?
Unless Im pushing crushed Volkswagens off the autobahn, it isnt dual-purpose enough.
And, again, parts availability.
That’s what I was going to suggest, Parts are avilable for them at the Mercedes dealers.
That’s what I was going to suggest, Parts are avilable for them at the Mercedes dealers
Youre missing the big picture….how many Mercedes dealerships as opposed to Toyota and Ford dealerships are there in MT??? I think Id have ALOT easier time finding spare parts for something a bit more common than a ‘Mog.
I agree I just thought you were going for the Military issue stuff at first. II almost bought a 62′ FJ40 for $600 I just had no place to put it because it needed some work to get it road worth again. Volkswagon is another brand to look at though. This place has some info for you. not sure if you can import them into the US though. http://www.fastforward.ca/Vehicles/iltis.htm
No, Im not getting a Hummer.
Nope, ‘cuz you will need the parts. .mil would still be using ’em if they could keep parts in ’em. And owning a ‘civilian’ version of such a heap just doesn’t inspire confidence in me for some reason.
Something with a diesel engine might be more appropriate as it can burn several different types of fuel that are widely available where gasoline won’t be. In addition to the fact that one could make their own fuel. Diesel-powered vehicles also typically have a great deal more range than gasoline vehicles.
Also, the Bronco isn’t a very good choice for many reasons. It’s heavy, inefficient, and has a limited hauling capacity. The LandCruiser or any similarly sized vehicle such as a Jeep Wrangler will get 50% better fuel economy than the Bronco just as a result of the weight difference.
Diesel has some tremendous advantages, no doubt about…big drawback is that, as I understand it, they can be a bit fickle about starting in cold weather..and it can get pretty darn cold here in MT. The storage qualities of diesel (as well as the increased engine life) are extremely attractive. On the other hand, and this is open to some debate, I think gasoline is going to be easier to come across in the short-term…and the short-term is where I think most of my driving will take place.
Doesnt heaviness translate into durability? That is to say, if the Bronco is heavier isnt that the result of it being ‘beefier’? For cargo hauling I can see much difference between the Bronco and the other two vehicles…all of them are pretty small. All my gear is, ideally, pre-positioned so it isnt like Id be hauling a heck of a lot of stuff. Maybe a pickup truck would be a better choice. Hmm.
Its just Ive had a bit of experience with the Bronco and was favorably impressed with it…plus, my buddies experience with it and his familiarity with working on them has some appeal.
Our of curiousity, what would you get?
Diesels are fickle to start in cold weather. One has to use a block warmer, which may or may not be a problem based on power availability. Diesel does store much better than gasoline. If I were a survivalist, I’d probably strive to have a cache of bio-diesel somewhere. A few thousand gallons would probably suffice and cheap to make at <$.40/gallon.
The Bronco is a great recreational vehicle and there is a lot of aftermarket support for it. It’s heaviness does not necessarilly directly translate into durability. It really depends on whether the mass is applied to load bearing structures. The Bronco was modeled from a pickup truck which is a primitive design, so it’s built to take a load, which means that it has a stiff rear suspension and an oversized rear axle all the while lacking an actual bed to haul cargo. The unsprung weight (axles and wheels) is also greater than it needs to be, as a result of being designed after a cargo vehicle. This directly impacts durability in a negative way. It is durable, but not extraordinarily so without extra work like boxing in the chassis at stress points, etc.
For your purposes you probably want the minimum sized vehicle to hold you, a passenger, and whatever supplies you need for the short term in addition to being able to handle rough terrain. Something the size of a LandCruiser is probably more appropriate. I’d also definitely consider an older Jeep, a CJ would fulfil your requirements of being simple and easy to get parts for.
As for myself, I currently own a Ford F150 which is the same chassis and cab as a Bronco. It’s a fine vehicle, just too damned big and expensive to operate. I am looking to replace it with a late model Jeep Wrangler, which is more suitable for my purposes, that being offroad expeditions in fairly harsh environments. I prefer the late model Jeep because of the coil spring suspension and the more efficient fuel-injected engine, which I have no qualms working on.
If I seriously felt that there was a threat of a western civilization failing sometime in the near future, I would probably get a ‘mog with a mercedes diesel and lighten it as much as possible or I’d get a pinzgauer and install a VW diesel in it.