Diesel vehicle for SHTF?

[DD977GM2]

I have been contemplating getting a vehicle....probably some sort of Chevy that is a deisel engine or even a damn Dodge. FUCK FORD!!!!!!!! I really want it only for SHTF. The sole reason would be that 5% of American vehicles (or so I have heard) run on deisel and deisel is a bit forgiving for what you run through it. Such as trasnformer oil, restaraunt fry oil etc can be used to run the truck.

What say the Survivalist, waste of time and effort or a solid idea for SHTF with no replenishment of fuel sources?

[Graves]

Cummins (by far) > Navistar (aka Powerstroke) > Isuzu...err, Duramax. From a shtf stand point I'd stick to a mechanical type like the 4 or 6BT. They're cheap and easy to work on, parts can be found just about anywhere, and easy as hell to pull a little extra power from. The problem with them these days would be ULSD. Sulfer in diesel aids in lubricating critical engine components (in fact most IP's souley depend on it for lubrication and is in most cases one of the more pricey repairs to a deisel engine), in the ULSD fuel it's obvious that an additive would be needed. The other problem you face with diesel is gelling, this is a problem here in Colorado. If you can get winterized fuel you'll be okay to a certian point, bc it too can gel. My hat goes off to the 6BT, I've had lots of time working on them amongst many others and I have yet to see anything take the abuse they can, I've seen first hand that they're hard to kill. I had one that ran for weeks 10qts low on oil, I repaired the leaks (ft main seal, pan, side cover gaskets) and the thing ran two more years (5-700mi per week), when it came time to pull the truck from service I drained all fluids and pulled it outside and watched it run for three more hours until it quietly died out, I let it cool for another hour and the sob started right back up and idled until it killed the remaining fuel. So long as the fuel is in good shape I never have any cold start issues with the 6BT, and guess what? No battery killing heat grid or glow plugs, every other truck with them does need a little kick in the ass to start in the cold.

I love deisel, it has a longer storage life over gasoline, better at making serious torque, and there are alternative means to fuel diesel engines as the op stated.

[jerrymrc]

There is a reason I own a 98 12V 5 speed Dodge. Mine has a manual fuel override and it saved my butt one time when the alternator died. I had no dash, lights but it ran.

[sniper7]

Cummins (by far) > Navistar (aka Powerstroke) > Isuzu...err, Duramax. From a shtf stand point I'd stick to a mechanical type like the 4 or 6BT. They're cheap and easy to work on, parts can be found just about anywhere, and easy as hell to pull a little extra power from. The problem with them these days would be ULSD. Sulfer in diesel aids in lubricating critical engine components (in fact most IP's souley depend on it for lubrication and is in most cases one of the more pricey repairs to a deisel engine), in the ULSD fuel it's obvious that an additive would be needed. The other problem you face with diesel is gelling, this is a problem here in Colorado. If you can get winterized fuel you'll be okay to a certian point, bc it too can gel. My hat goes off to the 6BT, I've had lots of time working on them amongst many others and I have yet to see anything take the abuse they can, I've seen first hand that they're hard to kill. I had one that ran for weeks 10qts low on oil, I repaired the leaks (ft main seal, pan, side cover gaskets) and the thing ran two more years (5-700mi per week), when it came time to pull the truck from service I drained all fluids and pulled it outside and watched it run for three more hours until it quietly died out, I let it cool for another hour and the sob started right back up and idled until it killed the remaining fuel. So long as the fuel is in good shape I never have any cold start issues with the 6BT, and guess what? No battery killing heat grid or glow plugs, every other truck with them does need a little kick in the ass to start in the cold.

I love deisel, it has a longer storage life over gasoline, better at making serious torque, and there are alternative means to fuel diesel engines as the op stated.

I would have to say this info is worth its weight in gold, but since I am GMKIA, you should listen to me and just buy a 2006 Hummer H1 alpha!

[68Charger]

There is a reason I own a 98 12V 5 speed Dodge. Mine has a manual fuel override and it saved my butt one time when the alternator died. I had no dash, lights but it ran.

I'll back Jerry up 100%- in '98 the Quad cab became available, but 1/2 way thru the year they switched to a 24v ISB engine, with an electronic pump... that pump is not nearly as forgiving... I hunted until I found one.. in a 5-speed (automatics behind Diesels are sacreligious, IMHO)
The Cummins that Dodge used from when they started up until '98.5 is the 6BT... the very best pump (for power) was from '96-'98, with '94-'95 a close second- earlier pumps are reliable, but more difficult to get the same power levels from..

true mechanical Diesel, and tough as nails... you may be partial to Chevy, but their Diesels SUCK! They finally gave up and went to Isuzu on the Duramax- which isn't a bad engine, it's just overly complicated- so is the new Cummins, and Navistar (Ford)

Tweaked your pump yet, Jerry? what clutch are you running?

[jerrymrc]

Still has the stock plate in it. Thought about going to a #11 plate but the clutch is a stock replacement. It does have a brake on it and has had the 5th gear fix put in. Made 220 HP on the dyno a couple of years ago when a friend had a shop here in town.

It is now kind of retired to going shooting and pulling the trailer after being my daily driver for 6 years. I need to do the valves and front seal this summer.

[68Charger]

I've got a custom plate (did it with a grinder myself), looks like a #10 plate profile.. Clutch is the base upgrade from Southbend.. good to about 750-800 Ft-Lbs.. and it was easy to slip during break-in, but now it's holding..
bumped the timing, and did the KDP last year.. have EGT & boost gauges. to make sure I don't burn up something...
I replaced the syncros a couple years ago- and I need to do rear axle pinion seal at least, may just rebuild the whole rear, swap in a powerloc limited slip.

never dyno'd mine- but it's smoked a 2002 Ford with a chip pretty easily

[Eow]

Do you guys know anything about the M1008? These are the older US Army trucks, started with diesel GMC pickups that they made into 5/4 tons with the heavy duty axles, etc. Seems like a great SHTF vehicle. Don't have to worry about EMPs as they are all mechanical. Older means simpler and easier to work on. Should also be easy to find parts.

[TFOGGER]

It ain't a truck, but it's a diesel. The Marines have been using these for years for scouting and courier duty. 100 mpg would sure stretch the fuel supply.

http://m1030.com/vehicle-m1030-m2.php

[Eow]

It ain't a truck, but it's a diesel. The Marines have been using these for years for scouting and courier duty. 100 mpg would sure stretch the fuel supply.

http://m1030.com/vehicle-m1030-m2.php

That's interesting. What do they cost?

Is it any quieter than a civilian motorcycle? In a SHTF situation, sure would be nice to be able to move quickly without everyone hearing you coming.