Good survivalist / prepper vehicle

[The Heretic]

Most in the PNW already are dirty and have moss growing on them.

All of my vehicles have moss growing on them.

Stand still for 5 minutes up here and you will have moss growing on you.

 

[The Heretic]

In the original miniseries of Stephen Kings' "The Stand" (1994), there is a scene from Boulder where the folks use a Tucker Snow Cat IIRC.

Such & similar would be about the only way to get around in places where heavy snow sets in. I'd think.

No idea on if regular snow mobiles would work, without routine trail grooming. Once snow is markedly accumulated.

I like watching YT vids of off-roading with tracked vehicles. They can get stuck, especially in very deep powder(ish) snow on an incline.

Snowmobiles get stuck all the time - it depends on how long and wide their track is. They are also not as maneuverable as a snow bike.

What Is A Snow Bike And How Are They So Awesome? | Timbersled

Snow bikes are finally having their moment and are poised to become the dominant motorized snow machine for pure recreation. It also helps that they're a whole lot of fun, even for first-timers.

www.timbersled.com

Snow bikes have less power, but are much lighter than a snowmobile and do better on tight single track in the woods and deep powder. They can't haul two people and have limited range. You need as much power as you can get too - large displacement two strokes do well.

 

[The Heretic]

 

[TNThomas]

Home brew rig. 670cc v-twin in the back. Ill have two diffs, one for each axle to help with turning. I also have skis for the front, and plan on making tracks to mount on the rear tires.

 

[Ura-Ki]

This is still the top of my GOTO rigs, it goes everywhere, even places no other ATV/UTV could go, and it swims, though I would try it with any current!
Tons of power, and it climbs, and floats through Soft Sand, Mud, Snow, Muskeg, and Rocks! Not fast by any stretch, but Dang, it just goes and goes and goes! Not too bad on fuel, especially being a two stroke, and it needs serious exhaust work still to make it sorta quiet, but you cant stop this thing! By far the best utility rig I have ever owned and the payload is exceptional with a trailer behind it! These are getting rare, but they can still be had for reasonable money, and parts are still available, but the tracks are getting to be hard to get and expensive!

 

[The Heretic]

 

[Unicykle]

For me if we're talking survivalist prepper vehicle for a possible SHTF situation I'll take one of the mid late 90s dodge 12v 4x4 manual trans. Just about as stupid simple as a vehicle can be, there's a ton of them around so parts will be readily available for years. They will tow anything you can hook to it and still get reasonable mileage while doing it. A good set a tires, some chains And some easy upgrades like a locker an onboard compressor a canopy and or rack.

 

[Ura-Ki]

For a pickup, I would say any of the 4 banger Toyota 4X4's from the mid 90's in up, the older then better! Bomb proof reliable, simple, and easy to work on, and tough enough to last without a lot of maintenance!
Any of the Old IHC scouts would also do well, easy to work on, reliable, and easy to get parts for, simple, and robust! A 1970 Scout 800 series with the 345 V-8 and Four Speed, locked diffs front and rear and you have an unstoppable rig!

 

[The Heretic]

For me if we're talking survivalist prepper vehicle for a possible SHTF situation I'll take one of the mid late 90s dodge 12v 4x4 manual trans. Just about as stupid simple as a vehicle can be, there's a ton of them around so parts will be readily available for years. They will tow anything you can hook to it and still get reasonable mileage while doing it. A good set a tires, some chains And some easy upgrades like a locker an onboard compressor a canopy and or rack.

My '97 4x4 12' flatbed. I will be converting this to an RV



'98 was the last year of 12V

'98.5 they went to 24V, but some of those early 24V engines could be retrofitted with the mechanical inline fuel injection pump.

 

[The Heretic]

For a pickup, I would say any of the 4 banger Toyota 4X4's from the mid 90's in up, the older then better! Bomb proof reliable, simple, and easy to work on, and tough enough to last without a lot of maintenance!
Any of the Old IHC scouts would also do well, easy to work on, reliable, and easy to get parts for, simple, and robust! A 1970 Scout 800 series with the 345 V-8 and Four Speed, locked diffs front and rear and you have an unstoppable rig!

My '92 4x4 XCab.



I am vacillating between putting a MB diesel in it, or converting it to an EV. The latter will cost more, but will be simpler.

I had a Scout II Traveler for about 5 years. A stout rig.

 

[The Heretic]

 

[slimmer13]

No idea on if regular snow mobiles would work, without routine trail grooming. Once snow is markedly accumulated.

Depends on the sled, the rider and the conditions. A timbersled will do better in deep snow.

 

[Ura-Ki]

For a pickup, I would say any of the 4 banger Toyota 4X4's from the mid 90's in up, the older then better! Bomb proof reliable, simple, and easy to work on, and tough enough to last without a lot of maintenance!
Any of the Old IHC scouts would also do well, easy to work on, reliable, and easy to get parts for, simple, and robust! A 1970 Scout 800 series with the 345 V-8 and Four Speed, locked diffs front and rear and you have an unstoppable rig!

 

[Ura-Ki]

View attachment 1292931
View attachment 1292932

Had two of them, sold the 46 for WAY YUGE money, so I'm continuing to build the 42 Half Cab! Cummins ITB 3.9 and Five speed with locked axles is unstoppable!

 

[The Heretic]

Had two of them, sold the 46 for WAY YUGE money, so I'm continuing to build the 42 Half Cab! Cummins ITB 3.9 and Five speed with locked axles is unstoppable!

If I had the $ to spare, I would get one with a 6BT, 6 speed and good axles.

But it would be blue or green.

There are some really nice restorations and conversions out there, but they are spendy.

Then there are the twist frames - that would be nice to have too.

 

[Ura-Ki]

If I had the $ to spare, I would get one with a 6BT, 6 speed and good axles.

But it would be blue or green.

There are some really nice restorations and conversions out there, but they are spendy.

Then there are the twist frames - that would be nice to have too.

TO be honest, the 6BT is too much work to get to fit properly, and to get enough cooling, the 4BT is plenty, especially with the upgraded pump and injectors, mine makes around 300 HP! I have seen several builds where guys have tried the big 6, some worked, many don't and they have issues!
I'm going to paint my half cab dark green with matching fabric covering on the seat and canvas top, Right now it's Candy Apple Rust!

 

[The Heretic]

TO be honest, the 6BT is too much work to get to fit properly, and to get enough cooling, the 4BT is plenty, especially with the upgraded pump and injectors, mine makes around 300 HP! I have seen several builds where guys have tried the big 6, some worked, many don't and they have issues!
I'm going to paint my half cab dark green with matching fabric covering on the seat and canvas top, Right now it's Candy Apple Rust!

I would pay someone else to do the heavy lifting. I am getting too old to do that kind of stuff.

 

[CamoDeafie]

A DIY Mechanical Mule built from old ATV parts and/or bicycle parts using a small diesel engine, or motorcycle engine. Basically a powered 4 wheel cart.
Or get a Japanese 4x4 garden/Kei cabover truck with the 1,000lb payload and swap engines out for something you can source locally.


Otherwise.. were it 50 years ago, a Model T would have been suggested nowadays, I can't really fault people getting any of the old trucks or jeeps; as parts for domestic trucks and jeeps.are very common in the US and you could likely wrench on it yourself if it's pre-smog Era.

 

[po18guy]

Actually, an old Dodge Power Wagon or similar from the pre-electronics age (not subject to EMDs) would be a good choice.

 

[The Heretic]

4WD USMC Growler with diesel & 4 wheel steering.

USMC M1161 GROWLER Internally Transportable Vehicle | Joint Forces News

The M1161 GROWLER, along with its M1163 Prime Mover variant, was an ITV or Internally Transportable Vehicle produced for the US Marine Corps.

www.joint-forces.com