Best BOV (bug out vehicle)

Because it is a cut down Pilot, with unibody construction, not body on frame, insufficient ground clearance, no available skid plates, the drive system has no low range and isn't suited for off roading. IIRC, the spare and jack is located in "trunk" under the bed of the Ridgeline. Have a flat and you have to unload the bed to get to the spare.

The Honda Pilot / Ridgeline is a good vehicle but much more suited to back country roads as a "Home Depot hauler" than anything else. We have a '03 Pilot with dang near 200K on it, and will most likely last another 150K but no way I'm taking it off road.

 

I'll stick with my gas sucking avalanche

wish it had come with a diesel though.

 

My best friend's parents had a Subaru Justy. Just think about two new teenage drivers and what they would want to do with a 4wd vehicle... I was surprised later on when I saw it driving around, still street legal, owned by the same family, five years later.

My only problem with Subaru's are the unit body, and they are darn hard to work on- not only is the engine (goofy opposed cylinder engine causes weird oil leaks) shoehorned in the engine compartment, but the accessory systems cris-cross each other. There is no reason that I could see to cross the power steering pump and the air conditioning compressor lines, other than to pi$$ someone off when they are trying to fix the thing themselves.

I agree with you completely, Brokor. I just wanted to impart some of the hard-earned knowledge, that I spent good money getting, about the Jeep vehicles. As you can tell they are a hobby of mine.

 

If I remember correctly, the downfall of theBrat, was rust. they were (I'm told) shipped over naked, and topside, because it was cheaper, and painted here. I DO know, that every Brat I ever saw (and I wanted one) was a complete rust bucket.

 

Own two f250's.. They have proven themselves a durable and rugged vehical, with a lot of low range power. Most people in this area go with the subaru's and toyota's..

 

In my opinion, the best BOV is the vehicle you currently own. Unless you are looking for a truck to use only as a BOV, no need to spend the extra coin on another vehicle. Outfit your current ride to suit your needs. For instance, I own a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic CCSB Z71. I have added larger CV axles in the front end, as well as some other upgraded parts (larger inner and outer tie rod ends, tie rod sleeves, better ball joints and hubs, etc.) I have added a 2.5" lift, larger tires to help with more ground clearance, more storage (in bed toolbox and a camper shell) and have every amenity I would need for both short and long travel. I use this vehicle as my every day driver, it still hauls the family and the groceries and if the SHTF then I already have my vehicle with me. It still looks like a stock truck so it will be over looked quite easily but will still need to do what I need it to. It has proven itself time and time again as I use this truck on many hunting and fishing trips off the beaten path and the occasional off road park trip to test my mods and to see what it can actually do. Just my .02 of course.

 

I wont be one of those that would be bugging out... No place to bug out to, if you live where others want to come to... My F250 is a daily driver, and where I drive it can be a chore...

 

IH Scout, 1980 with the 6 cylinder diesel. Keep the alternator for now, but have a DC generator as a spare and tested. No electronics, 40 gallon fuel tank, 4 wheel drive. Fuel easy to come by.

Outfit as needed.

Convert the exhaust to a true 3 inch design with the after market adapter that removes the restriction at the exhaust manifold.

Simple, tough, near EMP proof (with the DC generator).

Simple injectors and pump. Start it and it runs without a battery. If you remove the injector pump no one can drive it off. Learn how to time it before you do this.

Got One, I am now replacing the rear end due to a lot of off road time.

Run the most silent exhaust you can.

YMMV

 

Sounds like a tough rig..

 

I have gotten me a Suzuki sj413. Amazing reliability and easy on the gas, great in the woods but to load the entire family and dogs, nah, I would get a Range Rover or equivalent, larger 4x4. I could pack alot of stuff on my SJ, and fit the kids and the dog and the missus if need be, but you should hear the nag when I squeeze them into the barracuda and that car makes the Zuk look like a shoebox sizewise.



The BEST BOV would be a chopper I guess? I went for boat myself since I live on a small island.

 

That is a beautiful little tractor you got there! Wish I had gotten a hardtop. Lets get a convertible living in Sweden. Momma would have slapped me.

 

it gets great gas milage, completely EMP proof, no computer to worry about, or to track me, and you can't even hear the engine.
Downside, the horse power is pretty low, and the brakes suck. Should pass emissions, but lights could be a problem.
Haven't found a good replacement tire but it's early days yet....

 

Looks like you're gonna need to replace the frame rail, and keep dino out of the seat!

 

Somewhere in the distance, I keep hearing "Wiiillllmmaaaaaa!"

I trust those two in the background are just decoys?