Off Grid

[Burn-E]

I think he's planning to go spend time in nature. That was the gist of his earlier comments about returning to simpler times and simpler needs. Which aligns with what Mike said - only clearly Mike would get bored out of his gourd.

[Gideon35T]

There's no shortage of simple/free things to spend time enjoying. Once I'm retired and have that time (I don't yet) Sarah and I could just play frizbee for an hour. That's free entertainment and exercise that we can do 10 months out of the year down here, haha. Keep in mind, I still have; movies, books, games, and I really enjoy cooking. Once I have an assortment of animals + the garden + the orchard + our misc enetertainment I wont be sitting there with a couch growing out the back of my head. I'm also planning on picking up a new pair of mountain bikes for Sarah and I. Afew extra bucks in parts to keep them going long term and we can spend countless hours per year exercising while we cruise around nature. Then there's my idiot cat ... No shortage of entertainment from that thing. Like when it gets suck in a plastic bag and takes off running. Nothing like a cat at full sprint with a parachute attached for giggles.

[survolvo]

I don't know why every one is having such a hard time grasping this...

Believe it or not, there are people that live their lives this way, and always have. Many of whom are fully functional members of society. Not some "cave man" or doomsday pepper. Until recently, my self included.

Its not that hard to live without all technology once you get use to it, or have not been conditioned to it all. Living the "off-grid" lifestyle is never boring. There is always something to be done. You stay busy with life, which is easy when not distracted by the rat race of the " 'Merican Dream"

I guess it all depends on where and how you live, and what takes priority in your life.

[Gideon35T]

Well said Survolvo.

[Dick Dastardly]

I can enjoy both ways of life. Doesn't need to be all one way or the other. It's fine to have the know how and the skills and ability..but it's also ok to take advantage of what modern life has to offer.

Much like politics, you don't HAVE to be on one side or the other.

[Matty Moo]

Ted Kaczynski lived off the grid, look what happened to him.

[Commander Riker]

I personally applaud Gideon's efforts. If he likes it and it's working for him... cool.

Look at people in urban areas that are completely unprepared for a completely natural event (hurricane Sandy vag). I probably wouldn't have thought this way either before, but now being 30 miles from the gulf coast, I think this year I'm going to up my preparedness as well.

Keep up the good work!

[Über855R]

I'm often thinking about doing something similar for my retirement plan. It is a very big expense to get started but can you imagine having zero needs from the outside world. Awesome!

Since this is a car forum I will try to narrow my thoughts for now to what vehicle would you choose to keep/build if you had time and money to do so and wanted it to satisfy certain criteria.

The criteria fo me so far are as follows:

1.) Gas mileage would be phenomenal and repairs very minimal.

2.) Highly interchangeable parts, easily repaired in any junk yard or parking lot. (think zombie apocalypse free for all.)

3.) Fuel capacity/tanks capable of 500-1000+ miles of travel. (drive for days without needing fuel)

4.) 4x4. Possibly able to switch to 2x4 for fuel economy. (drive through serious terrain)

5.) Space enough for two with enough food and water for one month.

6.) Minimal electronics. (think nuclear blast and EMP)

Any thoughts on the ideal vehicle, necessary modifications, or what you would stock in it for an emergency?

[Burn-E]

The only vehicle worth considering is easily identified by visiting any 3rd world country. You want a 70 series Toyota Land Cruiser. Gas mileage isn't stellar but it's the most indestructible and most easily repaired.

Go read this guy's adventure and you'll understand why:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/50799-Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Lubumbashi-to-Kinshasa

[Gideon35T]

I would really like a very basic diesel pickup as my catch all vehicle. Very reliable (on average) and diesel stores for 10+ years.

If you think about it you have only 2 vehicle options if you truly want to detatch yourself but be able to operate the vehicle regardless of circumstance.

1) A vehicle you have setup to run on ethanol that you produce. Must be extremely reliable and reasonably economical.

2) A diesel vehicle with a large supply of properly stored fuel. Enough stored diesel to get you through whatever you think.

Right now we have 4 cars (see sig) but the Zombie Wagon will be going away once I have it's replacement done. Now, Sarah has expressed some interest in working a part time job so she will keep driving the replacement. The S60 and G20 are both impractical to use and a ranch vehicle even though they are reliable. I think I'm going to end up giving the S60 to Sarah and then I can take over and abuse the newer 855 Turbo. Ditch the G20 and we're down to two. I'm keeping my options open for a diesel pickup though.

Also, I've heard a lot of discussion about shtf (sh1t hits the fan) vehicles and many people opt for Mercedes diesel wagons. I wouldn't do that as it would be pricey to have an appropriate amount of back up parts.

I guess your vehicle choice depends on your mindset and plans. I think I'll be fine with a reliable wagon or basic diesel pickup. Then again, I don't NEED a vehicle so if things go crazy so I dont really care.

Right now I'm mostly trying to determine what I want to do for timeline. I'd like some more buffer $$$ and equipment (which costs money). I could do a quick trip to Afghanistan or just sit around doing what I do now until I get bored. Then I have to consider if I'm going to produce something in house for sale/trade - though I wouldn't PLAN on the income, it would be gravy. I'm already planning on at least one extra rabbit doe as there's A LOT of local interest in my surplus rabbit meat.

[Commander Riker]

I would opt for a cummins based diesel truck. Easy to work on and run for a very very long time. I've seen some older 12V really go the distance. Parts are plentiful and relatively cheap (in the unbroken modern world) and as you put it... diesel stores for a long time.

I would like to build my own generator utilizing a small diesel engine someday.

[Gideon35T]

That's what I've had my eyes on too. Resale is still high though so we'll see. I've seen several people with trucks looking to swap to a fuel efficient car and debated doing a partial swap with the G20.

I've been thinking about setting up a small backup generator to run on wood gas or in house produced ethanol. Both are harsh on parts and dangerous though.

As vehicles wont really be a need so much as I want I've been taking my time though. The nice thing about planning for years is that I've had the opportunity to pick things up at great prices because I had the luxury of waiting until something nice happened down the pipeline. That and I love craigslist !

[Fudge_Brownie]

Resale is still high though so we'll see.

A characteristic of a reliable vehicle Sucks doesn't it? I check CL from time to time on prices of old diesel's and they hold value crazy good. Even if they're full of rot!

You don't use any home heating oil right? If you did, I could see having a diesel car being smart since you'd have a shared fuel vehicle. I think you said you're doing propane? What about a propane truck? Aren't those popular out there?

[Über855R]

I like these ideas. The land cruiser wouldn't be my first choice because in the states I don't believe they are all that common. I have leaned towards a Toyota pickup or a jeep as they seem more common stateside. With the points brought up diesel does seem ideal. Consider a small displacement diesel engine swap into one of these vehicles thinking of range, reliability and interchangeable parts. What motor and model 4x4 would be ideal and most common to use for the swap?

[Gideon35T]

Craigslist is always a trade off but I'm not desperate so I can wait for a gem or just not bother. The house is heated with wood only so no heating oil/fuel crossover. I have propane as a backup but I don't use it for anything but emergencies and luxuries. I don't want to get too comfy using it all the time because it's not something that I can produce obviously. I do see propane pickups for sale but they tend to be highly abused utility vehicles.

If I was willing to do gasoline I wouldn't mind an older Toyota pickup. Get one with the 22RE (double timing chain version) and you can drive it forever and a day so long as you can buy gasoline. My only issue with a motor swap is you're adding a new layer of complexity and possible points of failure. KISS is your friend when thinking over the long term.

Woodstove issue update: Pulled everything apart yesterday to have a looksee. All the pipes looked to be in great shape. Only about 4 tbs of creasote in my one gallon catch, haha. Time to move on and take care of some other bits. The only issue is that we're finally experiencing winter and it's getting cold! 28f at the house this morning when I got up (0500ish). I may have missed my chance to comfortably insulate under the house, haha. Also, avoid buying Collins brand axes with Hickory handles. I destroyed one within 30 minutes while splitting firewood. Very disappointed, going to replace with a poly handled axe and different brand.