Need help and suggestions for prep of my SHTF vehicle

[Seitengewehr]

I have a 4wd suburban with a 350/th700r4 auto. I want to build it up so that it is adequate for off road use during SHTF as well as safe and secure.

I am a renter, so any SHTF scenario short of TEOTWAWKI, especially an economic one, would make bugging in not an option.

I have two daughter's whom do not live with me and many scenarios mean I need to get to them as fast as possible before any harm can be done. My plan would be to load up the truck with weapons, ammo, gear, food, water, etc and hightail outta here at the fastest speed possible and head nearly 100 miles south to pick up one of my daughters, then head back north another 23 miles to my other daughter's house to fortify and bug in.

Many SHTF scenarios most likely would involve severe traffic congestion, road block, delays, etc.. So, I would need to be capable of driving off road without running into any problems that would impede my progress. I don't care if my truck blows up after I am together with my family and we are together and safe, but first, I need to make sure I get there.

My plans include to raise the height of the truck, add larger tires made for rough terrain, change the shocks as required, brush/grille guard, guards on rear as well.. winch, off road lighting, roof rack for gear, spare tires, etc..

Right now I forget off hand, by my tires currently are either 33" or 34".. What size should I aim for? next, if raising truck, changing shocks, tires, etc.. do I need to change anything else.. what about drive shaft, etc.. any suggestions?

Getting lost, etc crossed my mind, so I am checking out various maps, topography, etc and am planning my route and will print this stuff up and keep it in the truck with an extra compass, etc..

[wnn]

to make the truck more dependable i would install a tranny cooler , also look in to an electric fan assembly to repalce any engine driven fan & make it switchable to be able to turn it on/off at will(water crossings) leave the tires where they are , your not lookin to build a rock crawler & bigger treads will only suck more fuel, if the truck isnt already 3/4 ton(8 lug rims) try to locate 3/4 ton suspension from the junk yard .. maybe look in to a bigger fuel tank unless your plannin on carrryin a lotta cans. & depending on if the terrain is muck/mud look into powermax lockers for the axles they run about $400 apiece & any one can install them easily . if you start runnin extra lights your gonna need to boost up the alternator depending onn how much light you run.. & grab spare ECM modules to keep handy just incase .. get your self a hi-lift jack & some straps/chains.. you have a good basic foundation already you dont need to much to beef it up...

[Alredneck]

yea what he said, but there are other lockers out there you might want to look at, and definantly go with the bigger axles if you dont have them. Cucv pickups from the military would be a good source for parts and axles, maybe even convert the 350 to a 6.2 so you will get even better fuel milelage. Also 36-37 inch tires are about the best average size for a lifted truck, big enough to get you further off the road but not to big to have a lot of problems with. You can get cheap humvee beadlock wheels n tires with run flats, and just have to put some spacers on the axles to line up right with no rubbing. And heavy duty bumpers and a winch. so you can pull yourself out and others and heavy bumpers to anchor to or run over stuff with, push disabled vehicles off the road.

[hitech_hick]

As mentioned, leave the suspension where it is at, you may want to pick up some heavy duty shocks, and possibly add airbags to the rear suspension if you are thinking of hauling a lot of gear. Would definitely look into dropping a 14 bolt in the rear if it doesn't have it already, and Detroit lockers are pretty cheap and easy to install due to the design of the carrier. If you insist on bigger tires, cut the fenders a little, I wouldn't lift unless you absolutely have to. As mentioned, get yourself a strong bumper, preferably one with a winch built in.


hick

[BobS]

http://www.whenshtf.com/showthread.php?t=4252

http://www.whenshtf.com/showthread.php?t=4064

http://www.whenshtf.com/showthread.php?t=3269

Since you have the Chevy- just buy a CUCV military truck- (M1008 series pickup) and get your axles, lockers, and other heavy duty parts from that (most of those parts were never available on the lighter duty civilian pickups). Cheaper than trying to piecemeal it together and you will end up with 90% of what you want at one shot.

Best regards,

Bob

[ak474u]

I'd build in a simple roll cage with cross bracing as well in case somebody decides to ram you off the road, the passenger compartment would remain semi-intact, and since you mentioned lead footing it to the family members locations speed kills so the roll cage might do double duty.

[arpacker]

would a m1008 be everything I would need for a 85 chevy blazer?

[BobS]

The short answer is yes, BUT!!!

The military version of the Blazer was the M1009, BUT the M1009 is NOT equipped with the same parts as the M1008. The springs are wider on the '08 and frame brackets are different, plus some other, more esoteric parts have differences that require adaptation.

On the XMV version of the Blazer (that was never sold to the military), we made those changes to adapt the '08 parts. It can be done.

Best regards,

Bob

[doc762399]

SO i have a stupid ? What year sub? what series? 1500, 2500? As for performance leave engine stock to maintain durability, but install high flow airfilter, open up the exhaust, headers. lift, good tires and rims. make it reliable, use stuff that works. I like to folow the KISS principle as much as possible. If STHF then you need to be able to repair you BOV.

[Jeffrey]

Bigger radiator, six ply tires (or fill current tires with foam), a serious push bumper, electric wench, trailer hitch on both ends, lots of exterior lights, bigger oil pan, transmission cooler, high lift jack, or just forget all this stuff and get a street legal dirt bike. when SHTF the roads are gonna be clogged anyway, so unless you got a tank that can push six cars at once, ride the clogged ditches in a dirt bike. I think the successful bug-outers are gonna be the ones who can remain mobile, not the ones hauling their whole household.

[doc762399]

I'm not sure what ply tires you would need, but my 96 sub requuires at least load range e tires. It's a beast, and I know I can push at least 2 downed cars and a Ford 9N tractor out of the way.

[SHNIPE]

BEADLOCKS, internal or external. Internal would help in a runflat type sit. Stauns for internal, or you can look into the DIY tire inside a tire (passenger car tire inside a larger offroad tire but that means near 38" range) If youre going that big with tires... remember youll need to change gear ratios in order to keep your gas milage which is VERY important in that scenario

The 14bolt axles are near indestructable but you might wanna shave the housing down smooth. if youre going offroad.. you WILL get it hooked on a rock or something. Unless youre above 38" tires. wont have to worry about spare shafts.

For the front id keep away from 8 lug 44s. Go Dana 60 that way you wont have to worry about it. Spare shafts for the front. or at least just spare ujoints and hubs or backup drive flanges.

If it were me, i wouldnt go airbags. one fails and then what? chances of it failing are about as slim as a leaf pack going. Then again spares could be found on lots of diesels and other bigger trucks that im sure would be around if necessary.

AND ALL OF THIS STUFF: Bigger radiator, six ply tires (or fill current tires with foam), a serious push bumper, electric wench, trailer hitch on both ends, lots of exterior lights, bigger oil pan, transmission cooler, high lift jack

Careful with the highlift.. and bring a ratchet strap to hold the axle in place should you actually need jacking. Pain in the butt to have your jack at the top of the line and still only have the tire 2 inches off the ground. (happened to me in the middle of a trail once) I keep a strap for that purpose now.

[BobS]

I have posted a series of articles cut from a book I am writing on offroad mobility. You might wish to start with this one:

http://www.whenshtf.com/showpost.php?p=36237&postcount=19

Best regards,

Bob

[doc762399]

OOOOH we have an author in here, do tell?

[dksac2]

My one thought no matter what modifications that you plan on doing is to get a 1980s to 1990 Chevy Blazer, pick up truck or similar vehicle. A jeep would be fine too. The point is, you can easily find parts for these vehicles just about anywhere or scrounge them from the hundreds of non running vehicles that are everywhere. I have a 90 Blazer and a new Toyota Tundra. If shtf everything grinds to a hault, my Tundra is going to be a throw away vehicle. Getting parts and the equipment to fix it would be next to impossible. Whatever vehicle you get, get an older vehicle that parts can be found for and is easy to repair, or patch up to keep running. Get a 4 wheel drive, make the modifications that you want. Make sure the radiator, battery, belts and hoses are new. Put on a good set of tires and have at least two good spare tires that match the size you have on your vehicle. Fix any mechanical problems now. Go to the junk yard if there are any electronics or other parts that you may need for replacement later. I bought a spare ignition module, spare caps and rotors, oil filters, spark plugs and gallons of cheap oil and gear lube. These older vehicles are tough and reliable if properly maintained and fixed mechanically now.

Best regards, JK

[soberups]

When I read your initial post and your situation regarding having to go 100 miles to get your daughter if TSHTF, what comes to mind is not a beefed-up Suburban but a motorcycle, specifically a street-legal enduro type.

If the roads are gridlocked and there are long lines for gas and general anarchy, a fuel-hog SUV may not be the best choice. Yes you have off-road capability, but all it takes is one idiot breaking down or getting stuck on a bridge, on-ramp or other bottleneck and you have serious problems. If your daughter is 100 miles away that is a 200 mile roundtrip---so if your Suburban is a daily driver and TSHTF when you happen to be down below a 1/2 tank of gas, all the off road capability in the world wont do you any good when you run out of fuel.

An enduro bike can weave thru and around stalled traffic. Leave the tank full and strap a spare helmet and 2 gal gas can to the back seat, and you have a much better chance of getting to your daughter than if you are stuck in traffic on the highway.

[Seitengewehr]

When I read your initial post and your situation regarding having to go 100 miles to get your daughter if TSHTF, what comes to mind is not a beefed-up Suburban but a motorcycle, specifically a street-legal enduro type.

If the roads are gridlocked and there are long lines for gas and general anarchy, a fuel-hog SUV may not be the best choice. Yes you have off-road capability, but all it takes is one idiot breaking down or getting stuck on a bridge, on-ramp or other bottleneck and you have serious problems. If your daughter is 100 miles away that is a 200 mile roundtrip---so if your Suburban is a daily driver and TSHTF when you happen to be down below a 1/2 tank of gas, all the off road capability in the world wont do you any good when you run out of fuel.

An enduro bike can weave thru and around stalled traffic. Leave the tank full and strap a spare helmet and 2 gal gas can to the back seat, and you have a much better chance of getting to your daughter than if you are stuck in traffic on the highway.


But I'll need to also bring my wife, my 2 1/2 yr old daughter and my gear/food/preps.

Funny you mention getting a bike.. I've had a car for sale on craigslist for several months with no serious lookers or buyers.. finally, just a couple days ago I get an email asking if I'll trade for an 81 Honda CB650 motorcycle, so he's coming down this weekend with it so we can conduct the trade. I've been looking into bike modifications, particularly survival bikes/ rat bikes / bobbers.. I think this will be fun... The plan now is to get a trailer hitch on my suburban and a trailer for the bike as well as manufacture my own sidecar for the bike... As far as modifying my suburban, not going to happen for awhile.. income is down, business is failing and its expenses are up, plus the holidays which means money spent on travel, gifts, etc.. Hope things pick up fast... I hate parting with certain things I've been collecting the past few years, though if SHTF in a TEOTWAWKI type of situation I suppose most of my collection will be useless or potentially lost, etc

[GlockRocks]

On my 99 Suburban I never let it get below three quarters of a tank. I know easier said than done sometimes but if you do that it dosent hurt so much at fill-up...lol. I have thought about a motorcycle but a big downside(in my mind) is little or no protection. Of course if you are going fairly fast it wont matter much anyway. Good luck though with whichever way you choose and if you do get a cycle ride it so handling it becomes second nature.

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

big ol mud tires, beefed up shocks, a small lift i would highly recommend, a top rack that spans the whole truck, a full size spare, front and rear bumpers, 'warn' brand winch, a 'highlift' offroad jack and with a engine snorkel for the intake it would be unstoppable.