Prepper Vehicle

[Mike Schoby]

Ok so I got thinking the other night. I have my bug out cabin which is perfect for long term survival - live water, off grid, solar powered, remote, etc. but it is 75 miles from my main house and I currently don't have an EMP proof vehicle...my last Landie Series IIa was sold years ago. So I got thinking about how to get the family to the property in a grid down/Post EMP scenario. That got me thinking of buying another vintage landie, which honestly would be great but the practical side of me got thinking...Old Land Rovers are not fun to drive around town while awaiting for the end times. So what would serve as an EMP-Proof analog family transport mechanism in a grid down event (all paved or decent maintained gravel roads to get to the cabin) but that I would enjoy driving all Sumer long when times are good.

My short list is: 70's 911, VW bug (Baja) or Karmann Ghia convertible....what is your suggestion for classic fun to own and drive but also could pull double duty?

 

[Chris M]

Assuming a 2 person family and a bug out cabin pre-positioned with everything you need? And your EMP proof vehicle just needs enough space for 2 people, 3 day bug out bag, a couple weapons, ammo etc.....a 70's 911 or Bronco would likely be my pick. Bronco for a family of 4 and room for a golf bag to the GC in the summer.

This mental exercise is tough, which is likely the point, because you're sacrificing one of the two problems you're solving for with a singular solution. Given you're only 75 miles away, I'm assuming you have a pedal bike contingency plan?

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

 

[Steven Donovan]

1. I second @Chris M with the old Bronco. My uncle used to have one. Not an accident the Army used to use them.
2. It can be awkward in terms of maintenance, but surplus old soft-skinned military Humvees.
3. An older "vintage" pre-digital ford pickup (I know it's boring - but it works)

My vehicle taste is very basic...

 

[Steve Johnson]

The "Cash for Clunkers" program thinned out a lot of worthy contenders... Commonality would lead to ease of finding parts when needed, so the vintage Ford pick up would probably be a solid way to go. Still plenty of scrapyard parts when a guy needs something.

 

[YETI]

View attachment 4441

This. Is. The. Way

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

ThunderBug ('99 VW TDI Beetle) has (2) confirmed DuraMax kills. Pre-2001 (IIRC) VW TDis have mechanical fuel pumps, grab a couple quart jugs of Howes diesel conditioner and they'll eat anything with a 700 mile range in the 5 spds..

We also have a '96 Passat TDi 5 spd wagon, which also has the 1.9 TDi with mechanical fuel pump, BUT a 30 gallon tank= about a 1200+ mile range.

I'm not sure if these are EMP proof, but much closer to so than anything which is mostly electrical.

....and that brings on the caveat of timing being of the survival essence: road closures after/into the WROL scenarios. Our best property for these is 300 miles away. What's almost impossible for "authority" closure and patrols is our local waterways; empty the bug out vehicle into the boat, and keep going on the river/lake to the destination, maybe even have a secondary vehicle waiting for the next hop.

Either way you look at it, IMHO, it's hard to go wrong with the ease, pleasure, and/or industrial prowess of VW or Porsche stuff. Put one of these 1.9l TDI motors into a VW Thing? Oh dude....

 

[First_Focal_Plane]

All of you have failed to spell “Land Cruiser” correctly.

Manual everything 1985. Mechanical fuel pump and will run on clean and dirty fuel.

Fun to drive on and off road. Will get you anywhere at the speed of smell.

 

[Chad Adams]

When I think prepper veh, I'm not sure I'm thinking about what some of y'all are posting. But the Land Cruiser makes a lot of sense. Anything 4x4, bombproof, as little electronics as possible, with a carb. I guess I'm actually only arguing about having some room for payload available. Somewhere to throw the spoils of being armed, ha. So trucks/suvs > sports cars.

 

[YETI]

A Land Cruiser with a carb and manual fuel pump would be my choice and would survive an EMP. I voted for the Thing because you said you wanted something fun to drive around town and wouldn't need 4WD to get to your bugout home

 

[blisankie]

 

[Chad Adams]

View attachment 4466

Well played

 

[jkrispies]

I'm leaning towards an old, carbureted 4x4 pickup with a shell on the back. It will get you (plus your secured stuff) where you need to go, and it's going to be inconspicuous.

 

[unitas03]

If shit does hit the proverbial fan, I'd want something fast, maneuverable and highly capable on most terrains.
In case roads are fucked (traffic or protests / mass hysteria and confusion) + the overwhelming anxiety of "being trapped" you can say, "fuck the roads." and tell the fam to strap in the 3 point seatbelts on this hog -

https://military.polaris.com/en-us/mrzr-alpha/

Probably impossible to get that one, so the civilian version with the following upgrades.

• Military ammo cans lined with copper mesh — store everything electronic in here
• Spare ECU
• Spare CDI box
• Spare ignition module
• Complete spare wiring harness
• Shielded handheld HAM radio
• inReach
• Points-based or magneto ignition conversion kit
• Spare set of points stored in the can
• MOV surge suppressors on the alternator output
• Analog gauge cluster replacement (Speedhut or AutoMeter)
• Independent shielded 12V secondary system for lights and comms
• Beadlock rims
• Run-flat inserts
• Front-mounted winch
• Tow straps, shackles, hi-lift jack
• 2x NATO jerry cans mounted to bed
• Fuel stabilizer

Not really a summer-daily driver. But, it'd be sweet to swing around the neighborhood and local trips to the grocery or hardware store.

 

[Chad Adams]

If shit does hit the proverbial fan, I'd want something fast, maneuverable and highly capable on most terrains.
In case roads are fucked (traffic or protests / mass hysteria and confusion) + the overwhelming anxiety of "being trapped" you can say, "fuck the roads." and tell the fam to strap in the 3 point seatbelts on this hog -

https://military.polaris.com/en-us/mrzr-alpha/

Probably impossible to get that one, so the civilian version with the following upgrades.

• Military ammo cans lined with copper mesh — store everything electronic in here
• Spare ECU
• Spare CDI box
• Spare ignition module
• Complete spare wiring harness
• Shielded handheld HAM radio
• inReach
• Points-based or magneto ignition conversion kit
• Spare set of points stored in the can
• MOV surge suppressors on the alternator output
• Analog gauge cluster replacement (Speedhut or AutoMeter)
• Independent shielded 12V secondary system for lights and comms
• Beadlock rims
• Run-flat inserts
• Front-mounted winch
• Tow straps, shackles, hi-lift jack
• 2x NATO jerry cans mounted to bed
• Fuel stabilizer

Not really a summer-daily driver. But, it'd be sweet to swing around the neighborhood and local trips to the grocery or hardware store.

Yeah I want one of these. Nice pull.

 

[Steven Donovan]

View attachment 4466

That's a good looking horse! Is that yours? Very well muscled out and healthy from the picture. I competed in American quarter horse mounted shooting a few years ago... though my current horse/mount roster is at 0.

But in all seriousness, horses are absolutely still an option if someone knows what they are doing.

 

[Steven Donovan]

All of you have failed to spell “Land Cruiser” correctly.

Manual everything 1985. Mechanical fuel pump and will run on clean and dirty fuel.

Fun to drive on and off road. Will get you anywhere at the speed of smell.

View attachment 4461

The fuel/logistics ease is a lot more important than people think...

 

[Grant Simpson]

I'm halfway between the all manual land cruiser idea and @jkrispies idea of an old 4x4 truck with a twist. Instead of a truck with a shell, I would consider a 1967-72 era Suburban, preferably the K20 variety for an extra beefy frame and 4x4. Room for the family plus secured cargo, along with 3 doors to be unique. They are also one of the few vehicles from that era with full cabin AC for your summer, non-apocalyptic driving needs. Attached is a sample pic of the suburban from the AMC show "Dark Winds."

 

[Chiro1989]

Meh, I am staying put unless it is not stopping raining, it is on fire, or the fallout is coming to give me cancer, we have good neighbors in a good town. Only thing worth driving if the SHTF is a Deuce and a 1/2, too much stuff to take with.

 

[Iron_Sights]

On this line of thinking if you have not read One Second After by William R. Forstchen you should. It is a HIGHLY well thought out book about an EMP strike.