A Survivalist’s Dream

How to Turn Used Cars Into the Ultimate Post-Apocalyptic Vehicles

Want to be prepared for anything? These modifications can turn cheap used cars into survival vehicles.

Being prepared is about more than just putting together a bug-out bag, but you don’t have to be rich to get started. These DIY solutions show you can do much with little more than used cars and essential gear.

Choosing the Right Used Cars

The first thing doomsday preppers who want their vehicles to survive alongside them need to do is to decide which used cars are viable options. For most, that means balancing your budget against desirable features.

Don’t assume that bigger is better. A van may be able to carry more gear, but it will take a lot of gas and won’t be as maneuverable as a smaller vehicle. For most people, looking for cheap used cars like an old Subaru WRX STi that are lighter but still have AWD makes sense.

For those who can afford something a little newer and bigger, an old double-cab 4WD Toyota Tacoma could also be an excellent bug-out vehicle. An older Ford Ranger would also get the job done and make it easier to find parts if it broke down.

Basic Vehicle Modifications

The exact mods you’ll want to make will vary by vehicle. You may want to lift your truck to get extra clearance, for example, or add skid plates to the bottom of the car so you can tackle more substantial off-road challenges.

You’ll already be in pretty good shape if you’re lucky enough to find a 4WD, off-road-ready small truck or SUV that gets decent gas mileage. If you’re working with a very tight budget, the most important priorities are off-road tires and a suitably sized winch.

Covering Basic Needs

In a survival situation, you must focus on covering basic needs first. Food, water, and shelter are the top priorities for anyone who wants to prepare for the worst.

If you have a larger vehicle, such as a van or a truck with a camper bed, you won’t have to do much to provide shelter. Recall that the goal is survival, not to provide excess creature comforts. A fold-up cot or mattress is better than a built-in bed since it affords more versatility.

Food and water are two needs you’ll have to work continuously to provide for. A high-quality water filter like a Berkee is the best option to ensure you always have clean water. If space is an issue, a backpacking filter takes up next to no room but will not last as long.

How you find food will vary depending on the situation, but it may involve anything from hunting, foraging, and trapping to raiding abandoned stores. Prepare to get creative.

Options for Providing Electricity

The fact that your primary focus will be on survival doesn’t mean it’s not important to have access to enough electricity to power basic appliances. A rechargeable headlamp or flashlight, radio, and other basics don’t take much power, but they can make a life-or-death difference in an emergency.

The first option is to mount solar panels on the roof of your vehicle. If you plan to be in sunny areas or anticipate having trouble finding gas to keep the car running, this solution is the way to go. A second option is to install a marine battery that will charge off the alternator to supply off-grid power.

The best solution is always to have a backup plan in mind. Try to build redundancies into your systems whenever possible.