Bug Out vehicle choice

[neverknow]

I have 2 vehicles and im going to convert one to my main bug out vehicle, One is 2000 4x4 nissan pathfinder and the other is a 1994 4 cylinder toyota pickup uses no gas at all. What do you guys think? 4wd or gas mileage?

[waitnc]

Hey,
I would imagine what your big picture plan is? Long way to travel, do you have heavy equip. to move? I personally will have a semi's old 100 gal. plus in my bed and it will weigh approx 8lbs per gallon to the vehicle. (will beef up the suspension and drive line components) I wouldn't plan on scouting around with it. Just save it for Emergency Exits or very vital needs. Consider this use the larger 4x4 to drag the lighter one? Hope it helps, just thoughts though.

[hammer502]

if travelling a long distance go 4x4.this way you can avoid problem areas by leaving the roadways.i have 2 vehicles that i am working on,both 4x4 and slowly getting upgrades done.

[Visinedrops]

My personal opinion, 4x4. Main reason, when everyone is clogging the roads, you can use the median, or the yards and front passage ways of businesses. One note, though, I'd install a heavy-duty grille guard, just in case you happen across the occasional mailbox on your way.

[Omegaman]

I agree with the 4X4 because you may have to go off road. I would make sure a winch or farm jack with straps is in your kit and even the best 4x4's can get stuck. And one of thoses heavy brush guards or police push bumpers would be nice. I have GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 with tow pkg, heavy duty alt, plow pkg and HD suspension and other extras.

[kenno]

While I agree 4X4 is an advatage the bad thing about driving in a median is that those areas are often poorly drained, ie quagmires. Also a 4X4 going across a farmers planted field will make you extremely un-popular and if you get stuck ihe middle of said field you are SOL!
You know your situation best. Find a bug-out-location and search for several ways to reach it, make a detailed map that includes back roads, gas stations, road dept, school bus depots, farms, hospitals, etc. learn the area in depth and you should be able to get there with a minium amount of hassle, especialy if you leave 2 days before everyone else does!

[Oscar Wilde]

[I have 2 vehicles and im going to convert one to my main bug out vehicle, One is 2000 4x4 nissan pathfinder and the other is a 1994 4 cylinder toyota]

When I was young and foolish I owned a beautiful 1963 corvette stingray convertible (this isn't the foolish part), then I got married :rolleyes: , sold the Vette and shortly after divorced....from then on I've owned only 4X4 vehicles....what I didn't know then, and what a lot of folks don't know now is that unless specially ordered, your factory 4X4 has only ONE front driving wheel and ONE rear driving wheel....unless you've installed lockers or true tracks you're not driving a true 4X4....consider this as you leave the pavement....happy four wheelin. Oh....and NEVER go off road alone.
O.W.

[kenno]

This is true; back in the 1960's, on our 4X4's we would have 2 levers in the cab that applied brake pressure to the free spinning rear wheel when it lost traction thus applying the power to the wheel with traction. A crude meathod that took some learning, but it worked, most times.
Even with the locking/locked differential you will get stuck, in my mind it is better to get stuck early than get WAY stuck latter, when an 8000lb winch is not enough to get you unstuck!
PRE Planning is everthing; Off road racers would never run a course before they had Pre-Run it!
But as with everything Survival(ist), it is all your decision, total freedom.

[Oscar Wilde]

[Even with the locking/locked differential you will get stuck, in my mind it is better to get stuck early than get WAY stuck latter, when an 8000lb winch is not enough to get you unstuck]

I have a Jeep J20 that will climb mountains.....deep, soupy mud/clay is another matter. I once attempted to cross a deep but narrow creek bed in my invincible machine, as I entered, my front bumper dug into the creek bottom....once level in the creek both the front and rear bumpers were against
either banks....no problem.....a gentle release of the clutch sent the right rear wheel two feet into the muck....and it got worse from there.....fortunately I had a friend on the other end of the CB with a rollback.....
O.W.

[kenno]

My emergancy back-up 4X4 is an 84 Dodge Power Wagon. It has a new motor but the EZ Locker rear end is what makes it go off road! Still there is a price for everything. Everytime I go around a corner the meshing teeth in the 'Locker' wear a little, driving with heavy cargo wears them even faster and it will have to be replaced someday. A factory limited slip is better for a daily driver, but none of this gaurentees you will not get stuck. Your best off-road tool is between your ears.

[xcountryswimmer]

I am currently looking for a BOV and I was wondering what everyone thought the most important characteristics of a BOV are. I've been giving this quiet a bit of thought and came up with some characteristics that are important, but being an inexperienced off-road enthusiast and this being my 1st BOV, I had difficulty prioritizing them.

What characteristics I came up with were:
1) Range (Fuel capacity x Fuel economy)
2) Tow capacity
3) Off-road capabilities (4 wheel drive, skid plates, shocks, suspension, brakes, tires, etc)
4) Cargo capacity (people + gear)
5) Maintenance

What do all of you think are the most important? Do you have any more characteristics? What is your ideal BOV (make, model and year would be great)?

[TheLastMountainMan]

4X4, capacity to haul or pull, easily maintained, no computer. Oh and parts are easily obtained.

[rsanders]

I agree with TheLastMountainMan, I think the first thing to look for is a non computer vehicle if we had a EMP type situation you could still start thes type vehicles. Once you have one without the computer everything else is easy it can be converted fairly easy to fit your specific needs , especially if you have some mechanical ability. I prefer mid to late 70's Ford or Chevy.

[prkchp76]

78 ford f250 high boy with points club cab preference haul anything pull anything 4x4 and easy parts

[mountainman28713]

I agree..

78 ford f250 high boy with points club cab preference haul anything pull anything 4x4 and easy parts

My buddy in the marines has an ol highboy he brought down from mtns of PA, it had 38.5 tsl's, 300 I-6, Dana 300, and a 3 or 4 spd tranny, D60 front and rear axles it is a beast!!!! Man I loved riding in that truck and going wheeling in the coastal mud was fun too!:D