What is your IDEAL survivalist vehicle, and what modifications?
Me, in this order, :
80's 3/4 ton Chevy/GMC Suburban. Diesel. Mild lift to combat high center issues, and "snorkel" and exhaust extension. The 6.2 IS NOT a power house, but it is pretty reliable when left alone and easy as hell to wrench on. Plus, parts are everywhere for them. Solid axles front and rear, simple suspension. Simple transfer case. One with manual windows and rubber mat would be extra tasty. AC and Heat are a must, so those would have to be in working order. Simple power converters would be nice as well.
1991-1994 Jeep Cherokee. No lift needed, though a mild one wouldn't hurt. Same reasons as Suburban, simple suspension, reliable 4.0, bullet proof automatic and strong manual. A ex forest service vehicle would be really nice. Parts everywhere decent mpg's. Only downfall, space would be cramped over time.
1994-1999 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel 4x4. Extended cab with a long bed. No lift needed, solid axles, excellent drive train (Extra excellent with a manual). And you could add a slide in camper for the back, win win.
On a diesel, produce your own for some time, but this is get out of dodge kinda shit. Doesn't everyone have 2 or 3 55 gallon drums of diesel laying around?
Touching on the fuel issue, KJ has a point about gas. The masses may use it all up if it is a collapse of civilization and not a mass wipe out type disaster. This is why I lean diesel. You can make diesel fairly easily with pretty basic equipment, a diesel engine will run on less graded fuel than gas vehicles. You can run a diesel on kerosene, or really anything fairly flammable with a low octane rating. My only issue with a bike would be lack of range, lack of protection, and lack of storage. I have a bike, and it would come with me. But it would be more of a scout once you are in a secure place rather than the means to get there. Any more ideas?
My choice would be a 1st gen 4Runner, PU or Samurai with Volkswagen TDI conversion, the more nimble and agile the more places you can hide out. Of course you have to build such a vehicle or search hard to find one for sale, but several companies make kits to do it, expect upwards of $800 for kit, $3000 for a TDI motor.
You could also one of the less powerful and older IDI (indirect injection) motors ,cheaper and can tolerate alot more alternative options for fuel.
The military runs on diesel, diesel will be available long after the gas runs out, and you can burn well, other things.
Biodiesel is a survival joke, it runs out when the hamburger joints close down, companies now buy it up and I have not seen a grease pit without a lock and sign stating it belongs to do and do biofuel company in a very long time. Mostly hippies buy the shit up, refine it and sell it for about $0.50 more a gallon than regular diesel, cetane rating is shit, and although last I checked you could still get WVO for around $0.60 a gallon, alot of trouble to refine.
However, you find WVO, you can run it straight in an older diesel such as a 6.2 detroit, 300D or VW, that is on a warm day because the shit will gel.
I have ran on 50/50 used motor oil and diesel before once when I was in a pinch, smoked a little but not as much as I thought it would. I would bet an old VW would run off used motor oil straight. Just keep in mind used oil has alot of water in it, as well as acidic compounds and metal shavings from the motor it came out of. Moisture in the fuel is really bad on a diesel. Might want to at least devise a way to heat the oil until steam STOPS rising from the mix, maybe filter it somehow too.
There will also be plenty of diesel at remote locations long after the world is overran by the walking dead. Think, anything in the middle of nowhere with a backup generator, like cell sites, pumping stations, substations,etc. Think, recently abandon heavy equipment. Kero is fine too, once again it wears the motor faster.
Last thing, diesel has much more energy per gallon than gas, 55+mpg is not unheard of from a VW diesel. 20-25mpg from a chevy suburban is not either. VS 35mpg or 12mpg for their gasser counterparts.
All the low end torque of a diesel is a big help off road, a gasser typically has to get up to around 3000rpm to make peak torque, the diesel, less than 1500rpm, so its like, vrooom, spin tires, loose traction, stuck............................vs........vrumvrumvrumvrumvrum and not even spinning out.
The nightmare corpse-city of R'lyeh…was built in measureless eons behind history by the vast, loathsome shapes that seeped down from the dark stars. There lay great Cthulhu and his hordes, hidden in green slimy vaults.
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