Oil From Bugs

In a recent article I recommended that you get either a Chevy or Toyota Landcruiser as your Bug-out truck for evacuation to your safe house in the days before December 21, 2012. But  the following modifications will make it a much more capable companion in the rough:

Electric winch

Skid plates

Suspension lift kit

Off-road tires

Full diff-locks

Secure storage locker

Extra spot lights

Hand held floodlight and spotlight

Air-intake snorkel

Air compressor

Extra fuel tanks

CB radio

Backup heavy duty battery

Aluminium roof platform with a ladder up
A complete set a hand-tools and sockets

Factory and Haynes service manuals

Hack saw

Rags

WD-40

Wire brush

Fire extinguisher

Waterproof heavy duty flashlights

Grease gun

Regular coveralls, insulated coveralls, cold weather gear

Propane torch, solder and flux

Engine oil

Transmission oil

Antifreeze mix

Brake fluid

Steering fluid

Spare heater, fuel, radiator, and vacuum hoses

Electrical wire in a selection of gauges

Selection of electrical connectors and cable-ties

Electrical tape, duct tape

Ignition leads

Hand-type wood saw, axe, compact and full size shovel

Spare fuel pump, water pump, and thermostat

Complete set of belts

Oil filter

Fuel filters

Spare rear drive shaft

Spare front driveshaft

Short side drive axle

Differential cover for front axle

Gaskets for both differential covers

Full-time hub gears and covers for front axles

Spare spark plugs, cap and rotor on spare distributor

Spare spindle for front axle, complete with bearings and seals

Spare bulbs (stop, turn, and interior)

Spare universal joints

High lift jack

Air hose for compressor

Impact wrench for lug nuts

Air chuck for filling tires

Spare tires

Tire levers

Tire repair kit

Factory jack and crank rod

Portable trolley jack

Winch attachments (land anchor, tree saver)

Shovels and spades

Large heavy-duty tarpaulins

Camoflage nets

Binoculars

Backup First Aid Kit

Heavy duty ratchet tie-down straps

Tow rope

General purpose rope

You also need to modify yourself a little too before you can confidently head off into the wilderness.

Off-road driving.

Taking your vehicle into the wilderness requires a different set of skills to burning down the highway. They aren’t difficult to master, but you do need instruction on how to wade through rivers and mud holes, safely negotiate steep climbs and descents, traverse steep slopes and use your winch effectively. The good news it’s hell of a lot of fun learning all this stuff. In fact for hundreds of thousands of people it’s their favourite weekend sport.

Bush Mechanic skills.

In 2012 you will be your own mechanic — so you need to be able to perform basic field maintenance on your vehicle including knowing how to replace vulnerable parts like drive shafts, hoses and electrical parts. Haynes workshop manuals are great, but experience working on your vehicle now will make you a much more competent and confident survival mechanic. I also wouldn’t hurt to go to night classes too. You’ll learn how to use tools properly and how the bits and pieces of an engine and drive train all go together.

Your mobile workshop.

You’ll also need to carry a hefty list of spares about your Bug-out vehicle. With these on board you’ll be prepared to overcome most of the likely mechanical problems — short of blown motors and transmissions. There is a lot there, but if you want to be confident of getting to where you’re heading you can’t afford to skimp on spares and tools.

With this fully stocked mobile workshop and the modifications you’ve made to your vehicle and to your driving and mechanical skills you’ll be practically unstoppable when it comes time to evacuate your family before 21 December 2012.

Originally published here.

---

Mike Kerrigan a Special Forces survival expert has put together ?The Ultimate 2012 Family Survival Manual? which contains all the information you need to keep your family alive in 2012 no matter what comes your way. And it?s free with the 2012 Official Countdown. Get it before time runs out.

---

Greenland / Vikings in Greenland / “Oil Bugs” / Williamsburg / Dwarf Trees / Vineland Map / Sea Cows (National Geographic School Bulletin, January 16, 1967 / Number 16)

Get every ‘bug’ that goes around?
Why is it that some people seem to get sick constantly and others don’t? What makes us prone to get sick? We do. In order to stop doing those things that set the stage for illness to occur in our bodies, it’s important to understand the factors that impact our immune system.

Published Sep 22, 2010.
Read more: Coeur d’Alene Press