Seanpcola
Moderator
Since I saw cars mentioned in the thread description I figured that this would be as good a place as any for the idea.
To start, I used to be a real gear head, dealt in the car industry (P&B) and also built a few street rods in my life. Around 25 years ago I got completely away from anything automotive due to serious burn out. I've found myself back in the game a little over the last couple of years. I'm a guy Friday for a very wealthy gentleman and along with maintaining property and aircraft I was dragged kicking and screaming into several car projects of his. This has re sparked some interest. Wife encourages me to get a project car. What to do?
Street rods and street machines. I love them all. To me though there is nothing that really stands out that won't cost a fortune for the initial purchase. I'd love to have a '65 Falcon Sprint, '67 Camaro, '66 Chevelle, several Mopar offerings, any pre-1968 Vette and just about anything pre-1940.
Next option: I just love Jeeps. I'd really like to have one. Newer is way too expensive and most projects would be merely a process of bolting on parts. I may still do that, will come back to it later.
All of the above is a wish list of non-practical toys. Nothing wrong with that but I just don't feel like owning something I have to worry much about, i.e. getting dirty, scratched or some 16 YO mouth breather nailing it while text messaging. (Jeep doesn't fall into this category).
I also want to stir the creative juices, just go off in a different direction. Something useable, practical, initial cheap purchase price and if I screw something up and have to back track, no skin off the old manhood.
So, how about a brainstorm on a prepper vehicle with the possibility of me actually building this beast? Tools, odd materials....no problem. Time, well..........as I have it between many other projects.
Initial thoughts:
Ultra reliable: This means no electronic brains. Good old state of the art 1960's or earlier technology. Zero computers, electronic ignition, fuel metering and on and on. Easily acquirable parts. More research needed here for commonality of components.
Thoughts: Something that uses a mass produced block, trans, rear end, steering and suspension. Early Jeep? Chevy, Ford, Mopar?
Tough: Heavy components. Commercial vehicles, military app?
Capacity: Lots of cubic feet of carrying space. Bug out vehicle. Food, water, firearms, ammo, occupants, supplies in abundance. Maybe large enough to keep it permanently stocked with everything but food, guns and ammo. I envision a vehicle parked behind the man-cave, Battery maintained, back up batteries easily obtainable. More like a 4 (or maybe 6?) wheel insurance policy.
Defensible: Lots of room to expand here. Plating, less glass (also helps with privacy and not showing your cards). Run flat tires, camo'ed? Or maybe something that doesn't draw much attention?
All terrain capable. I'm not talking rock climber, just maybe 4WD, decent ground clearance.
Lots of room to expand on all of these points.
Fuel availability: I'm thinking it needs to be diesel. Long term fuel storage, no problem. Availability? A million farmers can't be wrong, not including all of the OTR trucks sitting around.
Initial thoughts: I do have access to a 1999 Freightliner OTR truck. 700K mile motor, rough but drivable. Weight capacity is a non-issue. Fairly good for bad terrain. Tires, won't be a real obstacle. Downside. Even a 1999 model has a brain. Further research needed here.
Hardening: Let's just say I think I have that area covered. Hint: I've got access to a LOT of Kevlar.
Suburban? Might be a good canvas with which to start. A Diesel model would be good. Have to figure out how to remove the computers, I don't "think" that would be a real hurdle.
I'd like to keep running with this. If a very basic frame could be decided on I would enjoy hauling it home and doing some initial drawings and notes. Who knows, get it perfected and there might be a market for it.
I'm open to suggestions and ideas. If I get prodded enough I may drag something home, rip it apart and start a slow resurrection. Besides, if I get everything worked out might be able to sell at a profit and use those bucks to go the next step.
Lots more floating around in my pea sized brain.
Feel free to cuss, discuss, shoot hole into my ideas.
To start, I used to be a real gear head, dealt in the car industry (P&B) and also built a few street rods in my life. Around 25 years ago I got completely away from anything automotive due to serious burn out. I've found myself back in the game a little over the last couple of years. I'm a guy Friday for a very wealthy gentleman and along with maintaining property and aircraft I was dragged kicking and screaming into several car projects of his. This has re sparked some interest. Wife encourages me to get a project car. What to do?
Street rods and street machines. I love them all. To me though there is nothing that really stands out that won't cost a fortune for the initial purchase. I'd love to have a '65 Falcon Sprint, '67 Camaro, '66 Chevelle, several Mopar offerings, any pre-1968 Vette and just about anything pre-1940.
Next option: I just love Jeeps. I'd really like to have one. Newer is way too expensive and most projects would be merely a process of bolting on parts. I may still do that, will come back to it later.
All of the above is a wish list of non-practical toys. Nothing wrong with that but I just don't feel like owning something I have to worry much about, i.e. getting dirty, scratched or some 16 YO mouth breather nailing it while text messaging. (Jeep doesn't fall into this category).
I also want to stir the creative juices, just go off in a different direction. Something useable, practical, initial cheap purchase price and if I screw something up and have to back track, no skin off the old manhood.
So, how about a brainstorm on a prepper vehicle with the possibility of me actually building this beast? Tools, odd materials....no problem. Time, well..........as I have it between many other projects.
Initial thoughts:
Ultra reliable: This means no electronic brains. Good old state of the art 1960's or earlier technology. Zero computers, electronic ignition, fuel metering and on and on. Easily acquirable parts. More research needed here for commonality of components.
Thoughts: Something that uses a mass produced block, trans, rear end, steering and suspension. Early Jeep? Chevy, Ford, Mopar?
Tough: Heavy components. Commercial vehicles, military app?
Capacity: Lots of cubic feet of carrying space. Bug out vehicle. Food, water, firearms, ammo, occupants, supplies in abundance. Maybe large enough to keep it permanently stocked with everything but food, guns and ammo. I envision a vehicle parked behind the man-cave, Battery maintained, back up batteries easily obtainable. More like a 4 (or maybe 6?) wheel insurance policy.
Defensible: Lots of room to expand here. Plating, less glass (also helps with privacy and not showing your cards). Run flat tires, camo'ed? Or maybe something that doesn't draw much attention?
All terrain capable. I'm not talking rock climber, just maybe 4WD, decent ground clearance.
Lots of room to expand on all of these points.
Fuel availability: I'm thinking it needs to be diesel. Long term fuel storage, no problem. Availability? A million farmers can't be wrong, not including all of the OTR trucks sitting around.
Initial thoughts: I do have access to a 1999 Freightliner OTR truck. 700K mile motor, rough but drivable. Weight capacity is a non-issue. Fairly good for bad terrain. Tires, won't be a real obstacle. Downside. Even a 1999 model has a brain. Further research needed here.
Hardening: Let's just say I think I have that area covered. Hint: I've got access to a LOT of Kevlar.
Suburban? Might be a good canvas with which to start. A Diesel model would be good. Have to figure out how to remove the computers, I don't "think" that would be a real hurdle.
I'd like to keep running with this. If a very basic frame could be decided on I would enjoy hauling it home and doing some initial drawings and notes. Who knows, get it perfected and there might be a market for it.
I'm open to suggestions and ideas. If I get prodded enough I may drag something home, rip it apart and start a slow resurrection. Besides, if I get everything worked out might be able to sell at a profit and use those bucks to go the next step.
Lots more floating around in my pea sized brain.
Feel free to cuss, discuss, shoot hole into my ideas.