Can we get a tack for ideas for vehicles for austere/emergency situations?
I’ll start. I’m working on my KLR650 to make it a scout bike like the Corps’ M1030. When I’m done, it will have significant waterproof cargo capacity, plus power for radios and external accessories. I’m finishing up the paint job now. Here’s a pic taken just a minute ago:
Are we looking for austere vehicles (like your skooter there), or BOV for austere conditions?
Awsome I have been wanting to do that for a long time just dont have a bike yet. Got to see a pic when she is all done very jelous right now.
This is a subject that I have been pondering for some time now.
Other than horses, my ideal BOV would be an early 80’s or even 70’s 4x4 retrofitted with a diesel engine. International Scout, Ford Bronco, Chevy Blazer/Suburban, Toyota Land Cruiser. Jeeps just don’t have enough room.
I’d love to have me a Hilux but the EPA won’t let me.
Unimog.
And YES! Id love me a diesel Hilux. I think we’re the only country that can’t get them. Not worth Toyota’s effort to release them here…:rolleyes::(:mad:
Both. Vehicles and mods for ‘survival applications’ is what I had in mind for the tacked thread.
Closer to back together:
Are these available with the diesel engine for the civilian market?
VERY few and far between. Some PD out in NC/SC actually just got two brand new ones from DRMO. Mine will not be that exact of a copy - I’m going more for function than correctness. I’d love to have one, but the engine alone costs 14k if you can find one.
I’ve heard M998 rolling chassis can be had rather cheap… then just look around for a good running 6.2 or maybe spill out the coin for 6.5 or 6.6 turbo and you’d have one hell of a vehicle
I have an 1989 Jeep Wrangler that I have been transforming to be my BOV (and summer DD). It has a 4.2L I6 Carbonated Engine and had the shitty Peugeot transmission…
Before Picture:
I wont have an after picture for a while…
My buddy does most of the work but here is the major work that has been done so far:
-Rubicon Express 2.5" Lift with 1" longer shackles.
-HD Tie Rods/Steering linkage
-100% Aluminum Dual Core Radiator
-AX15 Transmission/NP231 T-case/Mega Short SYE/CV Drive Shaft
-Plate Steel Skid Plate
-Poly Gas Tank
-New Gas Tank Skid Plate
-New Steel Black Rock Rims
-New alternator/starter/clutch
-Borla Stainless Steel Header and cheap Walker cat-back exhaust
-Removed rear sway(track) bar
-New lights and stereo/speakers
Working on getting:
-Aussie Locker for front axle (to start)
-33X12.5" Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Tires
-Recovery Gear
-Metal Cloak High-line fender Kit/Rock sliders
-Rear Bumper with swing away tire carrier
-Front HD winch bumper
-Monstaliner for inside/outside of tub.
-Powder coating hood/tailgate/grille
-CB radio and antenna
-Dual Batter kit
The engine runs very cool and quiet. It’s a gas hog but I don’t mind.
I’m also going to look into getting points ignition parts just to keep around in case the EMP hits :eek:
I’ll get a progress pic up in a month once the new tires are on.
My avatar is my moneypit/BOV from hell, once it is done.
Powered by an oldschool mechanical injection diesel, currently has a 50gal tank on it. I will be replacing that with a larger forestry style tank.
Rear mounted 10k winch, front mount 16k winch.
DOKA cab is very large inside, you can put 5 large adults in it.
Can carry about 3 tons of cargo without completely destroying its offroad capabilities. Ideally want to keep the load around 2 tons.
Of course I tend to weigh my vehicle purchases on the basis they will have to get me out of a bad spot. The rest of the stable includes a:
2000 G-Wagen: Non- MBUSA truck, but that is a bonus as it has a shit-ton less electronics than the '02 up.
2003 Ford Excursion: Apartment on wheels. 600 Mile highway radius on a full tank of diesel (so about 300 slow going).
1999 S500: Not a true BOV, more of a getting the hell out of Dodge (city I work in) fast car. Built like a tank weighs as much as my G500 does.
Downfall of my fleet is they all are eye catching. Upside of the 3 4x4’s is that they are capable enough that I can avoid major roads by running the farm roads and paths.
Bike is looking good.
We had a great thread on this subject going a year or two ago, but cannot find it now.
Let’s see if I can recall the little write-up we had on what makes a good BOV.
Reliability. If it won’t start when you need it to, not really a good idea.
Durability. IF you have to wrench on its vitals every weekend to keep it going because it is not robust enough to take the beating a BOV will take, not a good idea.
Functionality: Can it Bug you out? Most of my vehicles are 4x4’s with good range and above average offroad capabilities. This is good in my part of the world as we have lots of farms and forest roads that will stop most vehicles but allow those set-up like mine to roll on with minimal issues. If I lived in LA, the state or the city that also uses those initials, I would have completely different rigs.
Also part of the “Can it bug you out?” how much gear are you going to be hauling?
Driver knowledge.
What does your chosen rig do when faced with likely BOV scenarios? Dropping a tire off the shoulder to get around someone, jumping a curb onto a sidewalk to get around someone, or having to drive down a steep grade (like the side of a highway). If you don’t know, find out.
What is the range of your vehicle? Not the 600 miles between fillups that it can do on the interstate, but when going 1-30 mph on a trail.
There were more, but I cannot recall them ATM, will add when I think of more that we had in that thread.
Here is my only options currently 
Back together, but no cargo containers mounted yet:
I want a bike capable of going off-road, haven’t researched the subject yet and don’t really have the funds together.
Unimog would fit the bill nicely.
I wouldn’t mind having a 6x6 up armored. 
Another reason why I have always wanted to get an early 80’s model or older is due in part to the fact that OBD and other computerized controls were not yet available. If you can’t fix it with a box of tools, some spare parts and a Chilton manual then what good is it going to be if society goes the way side? Now on the subject, what about parts affected by an EMP/CME; the coil, starter, and alternator. . .anything else? Anyway to protect an automobile from such an event?
Also, a highly customized vehicle, especially latter models will attract a lot of attention. A Unimog or H1 is going to turn A LOT of heads. But if you drive by in a “beat up” '79 bronco (think sleeper vehicle) who is going to give a second look?
An old pick up is a great way to stay low-profile. You only need to keep a few parts on hand to get the thing going in the event of EMP/CME. Now, if there’s an EMP, you’ll probably the only car rolling. That is very bad and very good. Bad because that is an epic red flag. Everyone hasn’t heard the sound of a vehicle in weeks, months, etc. and you drive by? No stealth.
Good? You have wheels. Unless they have machine guns, there is little they can do to take you out without blockading the road/explosives, and for that to work, they have to know you’re coming.
Also, people will have little use for their gasoline post-EMP. They may just give it away.
Absolutely. If one has the only running automobile they will attract much unwanted attention and their vehicle will be a bullet sponge.
But, if they are smart then they would not play their hand until warranted.
I’m interested to see what the cargo container setup looks like.
What made you choose the 650 over say the Suzuki 400? The 650 seems to have the worst gas millage (due to size).