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Bug out vehicle

3.4K views 39 replies 19 participants last post by  -06  
#1 ·
Today I had a plan come together that has been in the planning stage for a long time. I picked up a dedicated bug out vehicle. Its a 1989 jeep cherokee four door 4x4. in line 6 runs like a charm. The previous owner installed a positive traction rear end and even with street tires it goes through ditches and across plowed fields with ease. I plan to upgrade the tires to a little more agressive tread. The entire truck is already painted flat black so that is taken care of. I want to add a couple of things a cb, gps, police scanner, off road lights, high lift jack, and my bug out bags. I will post pictures as it progresses.
 
#2 ·
Full size spare, tire plugs, hand winch, roof rack, inverter, air compressor, lockable interior compartment, duel batteries, electrical and duct tape, chain w/hooks, tow strap/rope, brush guard or rear hitch platform for carrying more stuff. Wish I had the funds to work on a project for me. Post pics. Couple of good pics on the site for lockable interior storage.
 
#9 ·
So far I have a grand total of $700 invested( I traded my spare AR15 for it). I found it on Craigs list. There are several listed for under 1000k. I have also found that there are plenty of parts around for these rigs in junk yards because they were a such very popular vehicle. The US military has even used them in the first gulf war I remember them at camp lejeune the marines painted them tan right over the factory paint put the V on the door and off to Iraq they went. I will post some pictures as things progress.
 
#10 ·
Sounds like you got a deal!
Mine is a 96, 2wd. Runs great!...but wish it was 4wd. Dents and dings, nothing major, but it had brand new tires when I got it, and I paid the asking price...$500.
Built a lock box for the rear cargo area, drilled out the factory rivets that held the D rings and used those holes to bolt the box down. I made the box with a top lid...wish I'd made it as a drawer instead.
Made a box to go on top that fits Thule racks, need a 3rd bar to beef it up a bit. Top box now holds the spare and still leaves about 30" x 48" of open box.
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#11 ·
I don't have a bug out, but I really would like to find something to go under my rear seats in the crew, or right inside my bed under my ARE. Seen a lot of nice stuff, just gotta pick out what I want.
love the jeep,
All good stuff!
 
#12 ·
Here is mine.... love Jeeps and though this isn't as secure for the Zombie Apocolypse as a closed vehicle, but as a bug out vehicle it works. Got a trailer I have plans to convert to offroad as well.

Lifted 3.5", home-made tube doors, lights etc etc.

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It has a secure box in the back that has to be opened with a key or the fob. Can't be opened from inside.

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#13 ·
Today the Cherokee got two cans of flat black touch up .98 per can. I started a good once over on everything. I found that I need a dimmer switch. The left signal light isn't working, its more than likely just a bulb. The off road lights on the roof are not working either but I am going to add two more so a total re-wire is in order anyway.
I tried a couple of boxes for the back that I already had one is a big rubbermaid action packer the other is a military computer shipping box. The military box is super weather tight so I am thinking I will save it for putting on a roof rack later. The action packer will hold a good bit of gear. I put my BOB in along with my chest rig. Still have room for a case of MRE's and other stuff. I went to Raleigh gunshow yesterday and picked up a culpepper license plate (don't tread on me) for $5 it went up front. I took out the stereo to see why it didn't play and found that the wiring harness plug is missing. I will pick up a stereo later. So that's it for now.
 
#15 ·
My bug out vehicle will be horses, they dont require gas and they can eat most of the grasses across america. I just figure if I need to bug out then the world has gone to Sh** and the likely hood of obtaining gas after a few days will be difficult at the least and they can go alot of places that wheel vehicles can not go. plus if I really need to I can eat the horse, would hate too but I could.
 
#17 ·
Just a thought on the GPS, if things are bad enough that you need a bug out vehicle (which is definitely a good idea) then that GPS is probably no more than an expensive battery draining paper weight. I would invest in some laminated Topo maps and a good compass or three. Mark points of interest (out of the way gas stations/convenience stores that are less likely to be emptied initially, fresh springs, evasion routes, etc.) and get comfortable figuring out your position and where you need to be. That whole set up would cost about half as much as a decent GPS and be much more reliable.

just my 0.02
 
#18 ·
Your right about the maps. I had second thoughts about gps too. My blackberry does GPS so I will have it as long as service is up and running. I also need to add a NC gas credit card to my supplies (rubber hose to get gas from another vehicle)
I know this guy that rigged an electric fuel pump on his car when gas went $1 a gallon. He would pull on top of an under ground storage tank open the tank and slip a long hose in and turn on his pump. He got away with it for a very long time. In a disaster it could come in handy.
 
#20 ·
What about a small solar panel that could run small electronics such as a GPS unit?
That covers lack of electricity but that doesn't help with the lack of satellites. If things get bad enough that you need a bug out vehicle then I'll wager the satellites are no longer maintained or working. Maps work with or without electricity and satellites, GPS units don't.
 
#23 ·
That is true. Also it would be one of the first things that the enemy "China" would take out. Especially since our military is so dependent on it. For everything.

How about a Bug out Boat? Sail out in the ocean for a couple of months for the weak ones to kill each other and then come back and claim your underground stash.
 
#24 ·
That is true. Also it would be one of the first things that the enemy "China" would take out. Especially since our military is so dependent on it. For everything.

How about a Bug out Boat? Sail out in the ocean for a couple of months for the weak ones to kill each other and then come back and claim your underground stash.
The day I can afford a bug out boat, thats the day none of you ever see or here from me again because I'll just stay out there.:wink:
 
#26 ·
My bug out vehicle will be horses, they dont require gas and they can eat most of the grasses across america. I just figure if I need to bug out then the world has gone to Sh** and the likely hood of obtaining gas after a few days will be difficult at the least and they can go alot of places that wheel vehicles can not go. plus if I really need to I can eat the horse, would hate too but I could.
Yep, Horses are a good way to go for sure.
A GOOD motorcycle like a Tote Goat wouldn't be bad either.

In most area's, you would have to get out FAST and I mean FAST to get anywhere... the interstates would be parking lots in a hurry, accidents and cars running out of gas would block lanes in a hurry, tempers would flair etc.
Riding horses off the beaten trail and picking your riding times would be a great way to get out if necessary.