I guess this is the place to post this since all the other threads are pretty specific.
I have been researching what makes a good survival vehicle. I have heard everything from a POS jeep CJ5 to a fully loaded POS Avalanche would work. Years ago I used to have a 77 Dodge Ramcharger. That truck would go anywhere and it never broke and always got me home. Nowadays you can find late 80's or early 90's Ramchargers pretty damn cheap.
Our F-150's would probably make good bug out vehicles if it's a Screw with a shell on the bed.
But the burning question remains......if the crap hits the fan, how would these newer vehicles fare against EMP from extremely high altitude nuclear detonations? Would they be completely disabled or not? I have heard this argument go both directions. Some say the computers would be toast, others say they would be fine. I have not seen any hard documentation on this and that is probably because the only way to test the theory is....well.....it's never been done.
So, what does youse all guys think? Quintin, chime in because I know you might have something to add to this.
And what do you all think would make a good survival vehicle and why?

 

I dunno. I'd guess if I was close enough to a nuclear explosion to where an EMP pulse would be a concern, I'd have other serious problems as well (like me, my truck, and my house getting levelled). If the defecation ever hit the oscillation, my plans are to hold out at home, stay quiet, mind my own beeswax, with a scoped .308 poking out of a window.

As far as a bug out vehicle goes, I'd want something four wheel drive, with a diesel preferably. Crew cab F250 or 350, Dodge Ram, Chevrolet 2500/3500, any of those would probably do alright.

I imagine vehicle electronics would get scrambled pretty well if any vehicles survived the aftermath. An incoming cell phone signal from a GSM phone can confuse vehicle electronics nowadays.

 

The biggest threat in my area would be an accident at Three Mile Island.

Adrianspeeder

 

I guess I could use my F-150 as my "bug-out" vehicle if I had to, but only under the condition that there's no threat of rain on the day of nuclear anihilation....

 

Seems to me that a diesel would be good, other than the fact that it's a bit "noisy" when you want to be quiet and keep a low profile when you go into town at night to do some *ahem* "shopping".

 

I've seen demonstrations of the effect of EMF on vehicles. Basically, they just stop working, never to start again. I'm not sure how it effects electronics which are turned off. So, you'd have to use an older vehicle which doesn't have a computer, or something like a modern ATV. According to what I've seen, life as we know it would come to a halt, for at least 6 months. Cell phones, computers, radios, etc. would have to be replaced. Apparently, after the cold war ended, the government saw no further need to have all electronics EMF shielded, which led to miniturization, but left us completely vulnerable, not just to an EMF pulse from a high level nuclear explosion, but to natural phenomena like sun flares.

 

any 4x4 with all the gear loaded will do, an EMP will destroy the vehicles PCM so only older carb vehicles will survive it. I'm not planning for an EMP. i think when the SHTF it will be a natural disaster.

I'm not worried about the vehicle as much as supplies and weapons. remember with a weapon you keep whats yours and you get what you need.

i need more food supplies, i have 2 cases or MRE's but need more long term dry food. i am still hoarding ammo.

 

Newer vehicles would shut off if running not to start again FWIR. Anything that was purely mechanical (i.e. Carb'd) you'd eb alright vehicle wise, but you'd likely have nucelar fallout to deal with. If the poop hits the fan it's most likely going to bne natural disaster related (ala Huricane Katrina) or politically fueld. I hope to never see either one, but history shows that we're going to have both at some point in the future, when is question and the answer is anybody's guess.

Always buy ammo. I should take my own advice.

 

I'd head to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. Dig a hole in the ground and live happiely ever after.

(the U.P. of Michigan is almost solid Iron Ore. digging would be a beotch, but I wouldn't have to worry about Nukes going off there)

 

I had a 76 CJ5. It was unstopable. (cept that one time the coil wire popped off in a 3 feet hole full of water. Got out, popped the hood, hooked up the coil wire, fired it back up and drove out, slightly wetter)

 

Uh . . . dude, do you know something you're not telling us?

Is something amiss in Anaheim Hills?

Is it the secret nuke power plant under Disneyland?

Fess up!

(This could be a bummer since I live up the coast a ways. Although the hills at Palos Verdes might stop the fall out).

 

Here is mine. Sitting in the barn waiting...
It's quiet, has blackout lights, and a 50 cal. machine gun mount.

 

Man, I know you're getting tired of that old Jeep. I'll take it off your hands

 

I posed the question because I've been thinking about this for a long time. I like the idea and have the desire to have a vehicle that would work when TSHTF, like my old Dodge Ramcharger or a GOOD Jeep, not a POS. For me, it would have to be 4X4, fully enclosed, able to haul me and my family, food, weapons, ammo for said weapons, and extra room for appropriating more supplies when desired.
Even a pickup with a shell could be acceptable.
I guess I should start reloading more ammo for the calibers I have reloading dies for, and buying more for the calibers I don't.
Need to stock up on food supplies too. MRE's are getting harder to acquire.

Kobiashi, no......nothing amiss around here.

This has turned into an interesting thread.

 

I'd go with a 1970s Ford Crew Cab. 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton. Carb? Check. Room for family? Check. 4x4? Yep. Big motor? Has at least a 351, and a 460 wouldn't be a hard swap. Sign me up for one.

But if the shizznit does hit the fan and our vehicles aren't destroyed by EMP, our escape vehicles would be my truck and our Jeep Grand Cherokee. Where would we head? Who knows, probably to the boondocks, about 2 hours from here.